Billingham Stake Relief Society Broadcast with Anthony Sweat

 A friend of mine who lives in England shared her stake Relief Society's fireside with me. I enjoyed it so much, I thought I'd share! 

         

Missionary Miracle Testimony

This was posted in a facebook group and then almost 24 hours later, the link to the original source was no longer working and the story had disappeared. It was thought that the elder who wrote it was asked to take it down as the nature of it is very personal and the sister missionaries are known to the public through the news story. I was able to find the story here in a reddit post and have pasted it below. It's the exact story I read before the link was taken down. Here is a link to the news story as well. This story was published on KSL a couple of weeks ago. 

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Hey everyone!

For those of you who don't know, and even for those of you that do know, I'd like to talk about the Sisters that got stabbed in my mission.

They are my friends. I was in training with one of them in my first area for about 5 months. I know her very, very well, and this has been soooo hard. Just hard. I cannot express the pain this has brought me, other missionaries, and both of those sisters and their families. It sounds so foreign and distant until it happens to a friend. Or a brother. Or a sister. Or a daughter.

It's very, very real now.

I'll say what I know though, for the express reason that it has built my faith completely, and my faith in the savior has only increased because of this trial.

So the Sisters were stabbed in the middle of the night by an invader inside their apartment. The man came in at 4AM, removing his shoes to be quieter, and grabbed a knife out of their kitchen. Then he walked into their bedroom and started stabbing both sisters.

Both sisters had to go to the hospital, because each was stabbed multiple times, and were in the ICU for about a week, and now both are returning home from their missions to heal where they may or may not return to missionary service.

Now let me talk about some of the miracles involved though...

First, neither sister was stabbed anywhere their garments covered. It was not touched.

One sister did have her garment shirt roll up in the night, and she was stabbed in her side.

Second, after their parents were notified, their fathers were there 3 hours after the stabbing.

Third, the sister that got stabbed in her side was stabbed in her hands and her feet as well. One hand was stabbed completely through to the other side...

In a very, very literal way, she now has wounds in her hands, feet and side to match the Savior's.

The same sister shared her testimony about how she now feels closer to her savior than ever before. She feels like she was given this so she could more fully witness of the suffering the savior had to go through for each of us. She told us all that she had completely forgiven her attacker, and she was grateful for the miracle that both Sister's had been given.

Her wound in her side was really bad, but she shared with us that in her setting apart blessing she was blessed that if she was obedient and kept the commandments, she would be safe, and even the "very organs of her body would be kept safe." She told us that if the knife in her side had turned one way or the other in any direction, she would have bled to death and they wouldn't have been able to save her.

Fourth, when the Sisters were being attacked, they tried to fight back against him, and they prayed. Both sisters remembered praying, but the Hermana that I was friends with recalled saying a prayer, and as soon as she finished, she made eye contact with her attacker and said, "Stop right now and leave this apartment."

After she said that, the attacker dropped the knife, turned around, and walked out of the apartment.

I witness that the power of the ministering of angels is real, and the priesthood power is just as accessible by women acting in faith and righteousness as it is to any worthy man that holds that priesthood.

Fifth, when our mission president heard that the Sisters were in the hospital, he knew he needed to get there as soon as he possibly could. He called a STL in their apartment complex and asked her to talk with the police and find out which hospital they were admitted to.

But since time was of the essence, he and his wife prayed together, got in the car picked a direction and started driving. Not knowing beforehand where they needed to go.

When they got the address to the hospital, they were only two minutes away.

Brothers and Sisters, I know that these things could only have happened by the power of God. There is no other possible explanation. And I'm so glad to be in a place where I can witness these things and bring them to you.

I testify to each of you that the Lord will make good on his promise, and he will always "consecrate thine afflictions for thy good." (2 Nephi 2:2)

I know that it does not matter where you are and it does not matter who you are. It does not matter what the circumstance is. It does not matter if you think you have fallen out of the reach of God (because you haven't). It does not matter if you think that miracles only come sometimes and God is more subtle than bold and real. It does not matter if you think God is punishing you for some misdeed.

It. Does. Not. Matter

I promise you, that God will act boldly, and he does. God has said, "Behold, I am God. And I am a God of Miracles, and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today and forever. And I work not among the children of men, save it be according to their faith." (2 Nephi 27:33)

If you think miracles won't come, then they won't. If you say, "well that's a cool story, but it doesn't always happen like that," then it definitely won't to you.

There's a reason Jesus could not do miracles in Nazareth.

I know God is real, and he will bring us unto him, and no matter who you are. He will protect you, he will love you, and you will always be safe from harm, as long as you faithfully look to him to rescue you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder X

Patience in a Virtue!

Join me as I shed light on the intense spiritual warfare that preceded my last video message. Patience was learned on all levels. Also, an in depth conversation into the books/scripture that President Nelson counseled the sisters to read. Just what treasures are buried in there?

Woman Gets Abducted and Converts Serial Killer to Jesus!

A friend reached out to me and suggested I listen to this video. She said the women in the video reminds her of me. So I took a listen today while I was on a walk and I LOVED it!! I think you will too!

This is the kind of missionary work that changes lives.

Man Warns of Three Prophetic Signs!

My friend Kristy sent this to me and I somehow skipped over it in my video message. I had been talking about how signs and messages always come to me in threes, and I shared my story this week of the broken blow dryer, car battery, and water pipe and the message the Lord had for me. When my friend sent this to me it was a witness of what I had already planned to talk about in my video. It's another confirmation of signs coming in threes.

What's interesting about this video is that it relates to the burning cathedral having an important message from God. I have also included the other video below of the two women who had planned to get married until God intervened with three signs that this was not right and not what He wanted for them. Amazing!!

 

Shifting Your Paradigm!

As I was short on time (though it was a long video) with this week's livestream, I left out a few things that I had wanted to share in this video message. So, I thought I would share them here in a blog post.

First off, YouTube has again disabled my comments - as soon as this video was finished live-streaming. That tells me that certain words will tag a video and and put an instant block on the comments. This video was all about unity among Christians in America. I have been emailing back and forth with YouTube over the past few weeks about this issue and the customer service reps who have been handling my case, say they are confused as to why this is happening to me. They agree that my channel is not breaking any rules or at risk in any way, however they aren't getting answers from the people at the top, so we are just waiting it out. It's the comment section that allows us to connect and have conversations about these important topics. The Adversary does not want us having these conversations. He wants to silence our voices. Please keep my videos and channel in your prayers!

Pictures

Because I was rushed, I skipped over some important things in my video notes. The first thing I skipped over was the attack in New Zealand. I had shared in some of our groups, that when news first broke, immediately I heard in my mind, "Attacks on Christ's Church are coming!" A friend of mine messaged me shortly after and said that he felt that some kind of retaliation would be coming for Christian churches. I agreed. 

The following morning when I woke up, the latest headlines reported that two Latter-day Saint meeting houses has been set on fire in Christ Church, New Zealand.  I felt it was a confirmation and a witness that attacks are certainly coming for Christ's Church.

That same day, I saw that there had also been attacks on Israel and so Israel had struck back. There on the news post was that number attention grabbing number of mine, 113. I heard "pay attention". I happened to take a screen shot of this post at 11:30 - of course! 

In the video, I had mentioned a couple of images that didn't show up in my program as I was recording. I described them but decided to share them here as well. 

The first is the screenshot of the restaurant we were searching. 113 was all over the screen. Right after I took this screenshot, we saw the the license plate in front of us had 113 on it, and I showed that in the video. 

I had showed a screenshot of an ad for a workout ball with the number 311 on it. I realized after the livestream, that in the moment I had taken that screenshot, I had been worried about something and pondering over it. The word "workout" was for me. The Lord was near letting me know that everything was going to "workout" and not to worry.

Later there was some posts about attackers and pedophiles (wolves in sheep's clothing) being brought into the light and their masks pulled off. This post had 144 and 11 on it. Over the last few weeks there have been a lot of people close to my age and younger who have been whistleblowing their childhood sexual abusers and bringing it into the light. Some I have not met, but their stories have been all over the media. Others live in my community and I do know them. Many have been coming into my life and opening up to me about it. I feel that this is part of prep work for the 144,000. They must be healed and they must be made whole, so the Lord can use them. It is so important! 

Lastly, is the image that I mentioned about the solar storm. At the very bottom it mentions 333 and 11 manifesting. Isn't it interesting that this took place the week that I took all these screenshots and experienced all that craziness? But truth be told, I see these numbers all the time. I have been seeing them for about the last 2-3 years now. Maybe there has been an increase of solar activity happening during that duration. Either way, I'm paying attention. 

Yesterday was the Super Worm moon and I must say it was a wonderful day! I decided to ignore my phone until about 4:00 pm. Every call, message, text and email that came through - I paid it no attention. Instead, I spent time serving a neighbor, talking with the Lord, and sitting out in the sunshine with my toes in the grass. I cleaned my home, and made some delicious and healthy treats for my kids. When they got home from school we played outside together and enjoyed the treats. It was such a wonderful day! 

I learned that the worm moon represents the earthworms that come up during the spring equinox. Funny thing, this morning as we woke up to rain, I went outside and noticed earthworms all over the driveway and sidewalk. I smiled. 

Earthworms happen to symbolize digging deep in our subconscious mind and unearthing hidden memories, feelings, or desires and bringing them to the surface. These things can be beneficial for our growth, healing, and development. It represents a time of renewal and restoration. Being restored back to wholeness!

How fitting for what I just shared, right? And how fitting for spring time. 

Something I wanted to clarify since I can't leave comments on my videos, is about the analogy I had made about "what if everyone is right?" and the Big Bang Theory. I mentioned that maybe the Lord banged some things together to create our universe. What I meant by that is maybe speaking the beginning into existence resulted in an explosion. The elements responded to His word and reacted, and things began to form and take their proper place. He did everything through His word. Just wanted to add that.

When speaking about my Missouri experience, I mentioned in the video that things began to open up inside of me and little downloads of knowledge would go into my mind about each person I prayed for, so I knew exactly what to say. This happened all night on the first day, and we witnessed some incredible things!  I forgot to mention that the following morning Pastor Steve approached me with a twinkle in his eye and asked, "Had you ever done that before?" I replied, "No." and he chuckled and said, "I didn't think so." It was a witness for He and I that the Lord did something awesome that night, and it was something new. 

I shared a little bit about Marilyn and her husband and their awesome stories. They were hosting me in their home. I forgot to mention something neat that they shared. They belong to a break-off of the Community of Christ Church (RLDS). Marilyn had explained to me that many changes had taken place in their church since 1844 (when Brigham Young went west with the saints, and Joseph Smith's wife, mother, and children along with many others stayed behind). Those who stayed behind continued practicing their beliefs, doctrine, priesthood etc., and supported Jospeh Smith III to be the prophet's legitimate successor. 

With each change over the years, many people split off from the Reformed Latter-day Saint church forming new churches or a branches each time. In 1984 the first monumental change was announced which was the announcement of ordaining women to the priesthood. About half of the members left the church when this change occurred.

Marilyn said in 2013, the church began to ordain gay marriages. After that many more members left. She mentioned that now there is some kind of scuttle going on with how the church's finances have been handled and it might be the final straw that causes everything to crumble. Because of all of these changes, there are now many different smaller groups and churches who meet together. She said numbers have been dwindling in her small church as well. If I remember correctly she said they have 40 + members but only half come to church. 

Despite all of the drama of their past, Marilyn and her husband have been faithful to their beliefs and continue worshiping the Lord daily. She is the lady that prayed over a missing thumb and watched it grow back. Her husband is the patriarch of their church and while I was there he had been preparing and fasting to give a patriarchal blessing that coming Sunday. He had mentioned he was nervous because the sweet sister requesting the blessing was Catholic! He was looking forward to giving the blessing but nervous at the same time. 

He shared an incredible story about a debilitating depression that he was healed from three years ago. It was so bad, that he was admitted to a rehab facility and from there, experienced a downward spiral. Marilyn felt that if she didn't intervene her husband would soon die in that facility. She did all that she could and exercised faith and prayer and through a dangerous mistake that the staff made that almost cost her husband's life, they were able to bring him home. It was a bitter-sweet mercy from the Lord. 

Since that day Marilyn has helped her husband heal. He expressed how much he enjoys serving the people in their church. He takes his priesthood duties very seriously and carries around a bottle of anointing oil at all times. He is such a kind, gentle, and caring man and he and Marilyn have incredible faith! They walk in miracles daily, and experience wonderful manifestations of the Lord's presence. 

These are just some of the stories I learned about the many people I got to meet that weekend in Missouri. They all have different backgrounds, different stories, and operate in different spiritual gifts, but their faith and love for the Lord is all the same! Each of them is so eager to serve and bless all of God's children and I was so humbled when many of them offered to pray over and bless me in their different and unique ways. Some used oil, some spoke in tongues, some laid hands, some raised their hands heavenward - but all were united in faith and belief that the Lord was there and He was listening and answering!

It truly was an incredible weekend and I was so honored and humbled to be a part of it all. ❤️We are trying to raise funds so we can plan the next event and hopefully come to your city. Here is a link to our GoFundMe campaign - please support us and share! 

https://www.gofundme.com/manage/believers-building-bridges-tour

Daughters of God...

I read this prophecy in my last video message. Due to popular request, I reached out to the sweet sister who sent it to me and she tracked down the source. It comes from the facebook page of Nate & Christy Johnston, a prophetic husband and wife Christian ministry in Australia. Here it is in text version. 

Christy Johnson & Family

DAUGHTERS OF GOD, YOU’RE BIRTHING, ROARING AND ABOUT TO RELEASE THE PURITY AND JUSTICE OF GOD INTO THE EARTH.

By Lana Vawser and Christy Johnston
www.lanavawser.com/     www.everydayrevivalists.com/
Lana writes;

Daughters of God, His roar through you is about to get loud, as the Lord is removing limitations from upon you. The Lord is removing the things that have attempted to pervert, twist and hinder what God is doing within you and through you. You have been silenced for too long and now the Lord is removing the tape from your mouth and you will speak LOUDLY. I saw a roar coming out from within you, that is going to shake nations. I saw a roar coming out of you, that is going to shake your household. I saw a roar coming out of you, that is going to shake your workplace. I saw a roar coming out of you, that is going to bring about a mighty move of God in your midst. This roar, is the roar that comes from the deep place of the awakening to the true reality of your identity and worth in Him. I see the roar coming out from within you that is HIS roar and it is bringing things into sudden alignment and it is ACTIVATING DESTINY around you.

Lana Vawser

The enemy has been attempting to silence you for so long, because WITHIN YOU is a message, within you is a FLOW, within you is a ROAR of heaven, that when released the Lord is going to bring significant breakthrough, change, alignment and destiny activations all around. There are new songs that the Lord is birthing through you. The Lord is unlocking the places of captivity within you where the enemy has fought hard to keep your song hidden. Where the enemy has brought so much shame, condemnation, fear and insecurity upon you to keep the song the Lord has placed within you, your life message, from coming out. Daughter of God, it’s coming out! It’s coming out! It’s coming out! It is going to look completely different to the song of another daughter of God, but it HAS to be different. The Lord is releasing the INDIVIDUAL sounds of the daughters of God, but together they flow in harmony, decreeing the sound “HE IS COMING! THE KING IS COMING! MAKE WAY! MAKE WAY FOR THE GREATEST MOVE OF GOD UPON THE EARTH! MAKE ROOM! MAKE WAY! HERE HE COMES”

Christy writes;

I AM BIRTHING MY WEAPONS OF PURITY

Recently I saw before me in a vision, a great multitude of heavily pregnant women who were readying the hour of birth. Some were already getting into position to birth the life in their wombs. I heard the Holy Spirit say to me, ‘I am birthing my WEAPONS of PURITY through my daughters across the earth in this time and season.’ As I pondered this, I was reminded of a number I have been seeing repeatedly everywhere I go; #144.

As I asked what this meant, the Holy Spirit led me to Luke 1:44-45 which says, ‘For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed spiritually fortunate and favored by God is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her by the angel sent from the Lord.”

There has been a company of women, God’s daughters, who have been in a state of dizziness and confusion, lost, beat down and held back, they have felt as though they have no place, no purpose, no direction and no voice, but the Father has heard their cries. I saw Him leading them out of their brokenness in this very hour, shaking away the confusion and lies and restoring them to a place of honor. I see He is releasing to their wombs NEW LIFE and they will birth PURITY with heavenly strategies to carry out the purpose He has set before them. The life and destiny in their spiritual (and physical) wombs will walk where no man has walked and overturn and overthrow strongholds set up by the enemy from many generations ago.

Lana writes;

MY FIRE IS FALLING RELEASING THE MAIDENS OF PURITY

I saw the fire of God falling upon the daughters of God and a great birthing was taking place, and I asked the Lord what birthing was happening and the Lord said: “These are My maidens of purity” The Lord showed me such a deep work of His Spirit and fire upon women right now that was birthing a cry from within them bringing PURITY, CLEANSING and FIRE to every area that they were sent to minister in. From their houses, to their workplaces, to their cities, nations, the fire of God was being released through them with SUCH LOVE bringing cleansing. The impartations of fire within their wombs was SO HUGE, SO POWERFUL, that as they reached out in their different roles and assignments, the fire of God was being released and bringing such cleansing. Impurity, injustice, perversion, deception was being burnt away as the fire of His love fell powerfully in the different realms of influence and seeing the hold of the enemy removed from those places. All that was left was lives, cities, nations changed by the fire of His love that was released. The fire of God that had fallen upon the daughters of God in this season, the embracing of that fire, to allow the Lord to do what He needed to do in their hearts and souls was seeing them left with such incredible impartations of His fire that was going to change the world. I saw in the fire, in the birthing of the maidens of purity, the roar of the PERFECT JUSTICE and TRUTH OF GOD being released from their mouths and wombs, releasing a PLUMB LINE into all arenas the Lord sent them into, that was releasing the alignment of God.

THEY ARE THE ESTHER’S, THE MARY’S, THEY ARE THE DEBORAH’S

They were rising up like Esther’s, ready to stand for their nation, for their family, for their cities, and stand in the gap to partner with the Lord to bring radical change. They were the Esther’s that stood in the gap for the nation, but they were also the Mary’s that know how to sit at His feet and listen to Him and delight in who He is. They were the ones who know how to live at His feet in deep surrender and intimacy, stand for a city, stand for a nation, but also stop for the one. They know how to love like Jesus in different contexts. They stand for justice and release the justice of God like Deborah, and they lift their hands and hearts in praise to God wherever they go, shifting atmospheres.
DAUGHTERS WITH EYES OF FIRE I saw the fire of God falling upon the daughters of God in this season and in this vision it fell upon their eyes and I heard the Lord say “EYES OF DISCERNMENT” and I saw the daughters of God in every sphere of influence the Lord had released them into, looking in the spirit into those spheres of influence, and they were seeing with LASER POINT ACCURACY and they were seeing the strategy of heaven, the blueprints of God to “map out” the new boundaries and mark out what God wanted to do, but they were also uncovering the HIDDEN plans of the enemy and I heard the Lord say “Watch the daughters, and the way I shall use them to uncover the hidden plots of the enemy and decree My truth, to see the plans of the enemy overturned and the tables TURNED in the spheres of influence I have released them into.” Every place the Lord sent them into and they moved in the discernment of heaven, their declarations of truth, UNCOVERED THE TREASURES of God, what He wanted to do and release - especially in the darkest and messiest of places.

I saw a breaker anointing coming forth from within women being activated and awakened to their identity, their purpose, their assignment and their song in accelerated ways in this season, and the birthing the greatest move of God upon the earth is being released. I heard the Lord say, “I am releasing an ACTIVATION ANOINTING through My daughters in this season that is going to activate homes, families, towns, cities and nations.” I saw the daughters of God being mantled with new mantles and they were titled “TIPPING POINTS”. The Lord is raising up women right now all across the earth in positions and places of destiny, unlike has ever been seen, with the mantles to RELEASE THE TIPPING POINTS of God in homes, families, workplaces, cities and nations. I asked the Lord about these TIPPING POINTS and I heard the Lord say: “THE TIPPING POINTS ARE BRINGING ABOUT BIRTH!!!!” “Shall I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord.
“Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?” says your God.” - Isaiah 66:9-11 MIDWIVES CARRYING THE ACTIVATION ANOINTING I saw the hand of God strategically rising up women in all areas, the seven mountains in SUDDENLY moments right now, and they were being sent in as the MIDWIVES. They were being sent in with the “ACTIVATION ANOINTING” to release the BIRTHING OF GOD. They were coming in decreeing Isaiah 66:9-11 and SUDDENLY a birthing was taking place. The Lord is releasing His daughters as the MIDWIVES to BRING THE BIRTHING. I heard the Lord say:“The enemy has come against women for so long attempting to hinder the birthing of what I am doing in them and through them because of how I am releasing them and rising them up now in the earth to RELEASE MY BIRTHING in the seven mountains and to usher in the greatest move of My Spirit upon the earth.”

YOUR STORY IS ABOUT TO CHANGE

I saw the Lord “rewriting stories” for the daughters of God. I heard the Lord say “I AM REMOVING THE LINES OF LIES”. I saw the Lord removing all the lies that have come against His daughters and He was changing the story. Truth filled the pages, and on the top of every page it said “CHANGE! The day of CHANGE is upon you! The day of CHANGE is upon you! Everything is about to CHANGE in a GLORIOUS WAY! Your BEST DAYS are upon you.” The words “BEST DAYS” stood out to me. They were not based upon circumstances, they were based upon the MOVE OF HIS SPIRIT within their lives. What He was implanting, releasing, shaping and changing in them to release THROUGH THEM.I saw the daughters of God with growing pregnant bellies, getting bigger and bigger by the day, and the words ‘WOMBS OF FRUITFULNESS’ exploded all around me. What they were going to birth was going to release LASTING FRUIT everywhere they went, but not only was the release of fruitfulness for their spheres of influence and cities and nations, it was FOR THEM TOO. The fierce repayment of God for all the enemy has stolen, coming back to them. The increase of God falling upon them. The promises fulfilled. The clarity of calling. All of it screamed “HARVEST TIME!!!” It was time for the daughters of God to rise up with the decree into cities and nations “IT’S HARVEST TIME”, but the Lord was also decreeing over His daughters for their own lives “YOUR HARVEST TIME HAS ARRIVED”. The “LINES OF LIES” had been ERASED and the REWRITING OF THE TRUTH of God had been released. Unshakeable revelation of identity and who He was burned within them. I then saw Jesus place His hand upon their wombs and upon their mouths, and He smiled and spoke.. “And now, you shall go forth and REWRITE HISTORY” Daughters of God, you have been called for such a time as this. Rise up! You are about to see God do FOR YOU and do THROUGH YOU what you have never experienced before. You are being sent out as the midwives into your spheres of influence to call forth the greatest move of God the world has ever seen. It’s your time to arise!

Christy writes;

I hear the Holy Spirit saying, “My Daughters, now is your time. Let nothing hold you back for you are MOVING into my purposes and intentions for your life. You are my WEAPONS of PURITY. Guard your hearts and minds, for the enemy would intend to contaminate the purity I have put within you. My PURITY lived out through you is my WEAPON in this time of chaos. It will destroy the works of the enemy and cause you to walk in greater authority than you ever have before.’

Daughter of God, I decree over you today that you are no longer restrained, the enemy cannot withstand the mighty force of God’s purity and power that is being birthed from within you and the chains that have held you back have been broken. You are moving into the perfect will of your Father and the intimacy that you share with Him will cause unexpected doors to open before you.

Your laid down life is going to be a testament and embodiment of righteousness to the nations and the purity on display through your life will cause others to know Jesus. I decree that what the enemy has stolen from you, will be returned and repaid to you 100 fold. The enemy is no match for you, lioness Daughter. Arise in your Fathers strength today, go without fear into the destiny that He has called you to. You are His weapon of purity and power.’

Knowing Who You Are is A Game Changer!

In this week's video message, I talk about how knowing your identity will play a role in what's to come, as well as events in the news, and modern prophecy in motion. Just what's in store for women? Watch to find out.

The Heart of Zion - And Changes Coming to the Church!

The Lord has plans for our hearts in this 11th hour. Let's talk about what He's already been doing. In this week's video message, I share insight on this coming General Conference in relation to the winds of change, and was there a message from Heaven in the hurricanes? Watch to find out. 

 

"Be One" Celebration - Did You Feel it Too?

Something happened to me while I was watching this beautiful celebration. Let's just say my spirit bumps and ugly cry came on in full force! That doesn't happen too often 😄.This celebration and the music had more meaning to me than I could ever put into words, and it was incredibly therapeutic. It sums up about everything I expressed in my last video message. If you haven't watched this yet - you are surely missing out. 

Sister Bingham's Message to the World - Did You Hear it?

©2017 BY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Wow! We truly do have incredible women serving in the General Relief Society Presidency. Last week I came across this address given by Jean B. Bingham at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday, 9 November 2017.

Her words are bold and ring with truth. This topic and these bold words are not what you would typically hear in a Sunday Relief Society lesson. Sister Bingham confidently and passionately addressed her message to an audience of scholars and dignitaries at the “Women in Faith: A Freedom of religion or belief perspective” conference. It's a powerful message. 

Here is the link to the PDF which includes the references. 

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.uk/multimedia/file/17-11-02-New-Speech-Topic-004.pdf

Women in Faith: A Freedom of Religion or Belief Perspective

Jean B. Bingham

Dear Mrs. Zábroska, thank you for hosting this very important event. Members of the European Parliament, distinguished guests, dear friends, faith plays an incalculable role in women’s lives—83% of whom are estimated to identify with a faith group.

©2017 BY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Religion influences these women’s lives daily, through prayer, meditation, scripture study, and even food selection. Religious devotion informs life-long decisions such as marriage, child bearing, and
end of life care. Faith informs humanity’s most basic questions such as “Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?”

These questions are felt in the yearnings of every human soul to understand his or her situation. A human being must be permitted to find meaning in life, and for the vast majority of individuals that involves investigating, adopting, and even adapting religious beliefs.5 That is why freedom of religion or belief rights are foundational human rights.

I hope to offer some understanding on why religious freedom is such a critical right to empowering women. To that end, I would first like to highlight the importance of religious devotion to women. Second, I would like to show the intimate connection between freedom of religion or belief with women’s other rights.

And third, I would like to describe how laws that mandate women’s belief or behavior can be harmful, even if well-intentioned.

I. The Importance of Religious Devotion to Women

The freedom to search for life’s meaning, and to believe that a higher power has provided that meaning, belongs to women as much as to men. Indeed, an “estimated 97 million more women than men claim a religious affiliation.”

Religious freedom is among the most important freedoms a woman can have in societies where cultural traditions might seek to impose upon her a lesser conception of her life’s meaning. Religion grounds us through life’s high points and elevates us through the lows. Such was the case for a young 14-year old girl who was captured and held against her will. Her nightmare began on June 5, 2002. She was tethered to a tree, deprived of food, forced to consume alcohol and drugs, and raped daily. Here is her story: [http://faithcounts.com/elizabeth-smart-faith-heals/]

Elizabeth Smart lived in a country where she could hold to her faith. That faith carried her through some of the worst things people can suffer. Yet, in a striking contrast, her victimization was committed in the name of religion. When she was found on March 12, 2003, she had been dressed in robes and her face veiled. Her captor claimed to be a prophet. Sadly, Elizabeth’s circumstances are not unprecedented. Women can be the victims of terrible acts supposedly committed in the name of faith. Female genital mutilation, bodily appendages being removed, and honor killings are just a few of those horrors.

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Violent acts like these can overshadow the great good that religious faith and devotion can help women accomplish in our society. If women of faith do no recapture the narrative of what their religious devotion means to them, and the negative narrative dominates, unintended consequences could occur. For example, if religion wanes in society, well-intentioned governments could override freedom of religion or belief protections in ways that harm instead of help women. As the largest group currently being proscribed in exercising these rights, women have the most to lose or gain with any changes.

II. Freedom of Religion or Beliefs Link with Women’s Other Rights

I come before you today to assert that protecting women’s freedom of religion or belief empowers them as well as the communities in which they reside. Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights reads:

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;

this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom,

either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to

manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and

observance.

These rights are part of a seamless whole which cannot be delinked from women without harm to them. The World Conference on Human Rights indicated  that “[a]ll human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent.” The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief at the United Nations has highlighted the “positive interrelatedness of freedom of religion or belief and
equality between men and women.”

He goes on to say that “[a]n empirical study of 143 countries supports this idea, further noting that ‘countries with no restrictions on conversion, in particular, tend to have higher levels of fundamental freedoms, have better lives for women, and less overall armed conflict.’” Religious freedom creates the optimal environment in which to protect and enhance women’s rights.

Elizabeth Smart

As you are probably aware, Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights also provides protections against individuals that may seek to abuse this freedom. Individuals cannot destroy public order, health or morals, or infringe on the rights and freedoms of others. These limitations did not allow Elizabeth Smart’s captor to justify his actions for religious reasons. He had claimed that he was a prophet and received a divine revelation to kidnap this sweet, innocent, 14-year-old girl from her
bedroom. He now serves a life sentence without parole. His actions were not recognized nor protected as religious freedom rights.

In my own faith’s scriptures, the Book of Mormon, we read of a righteous people who established religious freedom, yet were also able to punish harmful practices, without any contradiction: “[T]here was a law that men should be judged according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law against a man’s belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which he had done.” (Alma 30:11). It is entirely possible to protect religious freedom but punish the perpetrators of harmful practices against women.

In countries with a good track record of protecting religious freedom, these types of exceptions are well established. The principle of religious freedom does not condone crime, including crimes against women. In fact, faith can be, and often is, a vital comfort to those who are victimized, who are disproportionately women.

III. Mandating Acts of Women’s Faith Can be Harmful

Government bodies are vital to enacting provisions that protect victims. However, if we are not careful, those same provisions can also potentially strip those victims of the solace and peace that they find in their beliefs. Remember what Elizabeth said, about how her belief in God made her a survivor.

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At times, some seek to restrict religious freedom with the aim of protecting women. However well-intentioned, intervention sometimes does more damage than good. Let me share a couple of examples where interfering with religious freedom rights also inhibited women’s rights; then I’ll explain why it’s so important to make room for empowered women of faith in our societies. Out of concern that certain clothing might be forced on Muslim women, a city enacted a law banning the so-called “burkini,” a garment that allowed women to participate in sports activities such as swimming while still honoring their religious commitments to modesty.13 Previous to this time, there was no
religiously acceptable way for them to do so.

Even if the law had good intentions, it did not give women greater freedom but merely imposed a different restriction. Banning their swimming wear isolated women and put them in danger of violence and hostility if they tried to access public spaces when wearing it. Although the nation’s judicial system quickly ruled that such a ban was illegal, courts nor legislatures have always been so quick to recognize when they have erred.

Another example of a woman who was limited by religious restrictions is Meriam Yehya Ibrahim. In 2014, Meriam was put on trial by her government and sentenced to death. Although raised as a Christian by her mother, a court considered her to be Muslim due to her father’s religion. Because of her father’s religion, the court found her marriage to a Christian to be invalid. In their view, Meriam had committed both adultery and apostasy. Imams visited her daily to recite the Koran to her and pressure her to renounce her Christianity.

Eventually Meriam was freed, but not until after spending several months in prison, where she also gave birth to her daughter. When asked about her experience Meriam said "I would never leave my faith. [I]f you don’t have faith you are not alive.”

These struggles remind me of the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who wrote:

“Violence is what happens when you try to resolve a religious dispute by means of power. It cannot be done…. Just as might does not establish right, so victory does not establish truth.”


Instead of governments compelling what women do, how to do it, and when to do it, we must make sure their human rights—including their right to the religious beliefs of their choice—are respected.
Empowering women should be a priority for all, because they are a potent force for creating a society where peace, religious freedom, and human rights can truly thrive. Carla Kopell, former Senior Gender Advisor at USAID, notes that the potential of women is one of the most underappreciated tools to counter violent
extremism.

Women often have unique and powerful influence in the home and family. Kopell observes that “[a]s community members frequently left behind in conflict zones to maintain the home and care for children and other family members, women and girls often have information and insights that can provide early warning of conflict or the potential for violence. Because they often maintain families under siege, women can help de-radicalize and enable successful reintegration of former extremist group members.”

Mothers of the 2,060 Stripling Warriors

There are many examples of women already combating violence and extremism from all around the world. For example: In Somalia, the cross-clan linkages women gain through marriage [make them…capable of mediating across clan lines]. In Central America, women [have been] key voices in… discouraging young people from joining criminal gangs and committing crime. Along the Tajik and Afghan border,…the Austrian NGO Women Without Borders is establishing schools for mothers to educate them on how to prevent the radicalization of their sons. So far, they have trained over 150 mothers, who report reconnecting with distant sons and daughters, persuading them not to attend illegal meetings or read radical material.

These contemporary examples parallel a powerful story in the Book of Mormon, our companion set of sacred scriptures to the Holy Bible. There is an account of a small army of young warriors faced with the task of defending their homeland and people from invaders. These attackers are seeking to deprive them of their freedoms, including the freedom to worship according the dictates of their own sconscience.

Though they were young and untrained, these valiant warriors went off to battle and, miraculously, all returned victorious in the defense of their people. When asked why they had taken on such a formidable task instead of fleeing, they replied that they knew God would strengthen and protect them. They added, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it.” They had been taught by mothers of faith, which helped them develop the faith needed to carry them through their own challenges.

IV. Conclusion

If all individuals understood that the world improves when the situation of women improves, there would be far less heartache in this world. A powerful religious insight in this regard comes from the Bahai, who teach, “The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female.
So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; … When the two wings . . . become equivalent in strength,
enjoying the same prerogatives, the flight of humankind will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary.”

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and colleagues, a bird with one wing will never soar. I invite each of us to look at our own circles of influence and find ways to encourage women’s right to freedom of religion and belief. Let us do all within our reach to empower our sisters, and society, to take wing.