These essays, selected from those presented at the 1992 Women's Conference, address such contemporary and diverse concerns as coping with rebellious children, dealing with infertility, struggling to preserve harmony with family members who have chosen not to be active in the Church, balancing family responsibilities against the demands of a career, being single in a family-oriented church, serving despite depleted reserves of energy and resources, and finding personal fulfillment.
Like the conference, sponsored by Brigham Young University and the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this volume explores the many ways the Savior can nurture, bless, and strengthen those who call upon him, the many ways our joy can be made more abundant by drawing upon his strength.
"There are many LDS women whose lives are burdened and blackened by inappropriate guilt. This guilt is not caused by sins for which they need to repent but by unrealistically high expectations of themselves or by someone who does not understand their life circumstances but who is nonetheless making a judgment about them that is painful." (Chieko N. Okazaki)
"The real abundance is within us. And when you are good, and you have done all you can do, and you have faith, and you ask for help, then miracles can happen." (Maren M. Mouritsen)
"My experience is that each of us can do wonderful things that will encourage others to be and feel more a part of our community. We ourselves will learn in the process. When we demonstrate the value of difference and seek to achieve the community of faith that we will call the Zion community, we will find resources and opportunities beyond what we currently think possible to bless the lives of others. In return, we will know life more abundantly." (Kate L. Kirkham)
"I have concluded that we often sell ourselves short. Maybe we're not so different from those hardworking pioneer women who were busy from sunup to sundown. Our days are every bit as challenging. We may not card wool, hoe beets, or slop hogs, but we need to give ourselves credit for what we do. Our place is to support and enjoy ourselves and one another, not to judge or compare." (Kathleen Bushnell Jensen)
"One path to the Lord is through trials and tribulations, but there are other ways he will participate in our lives if we invite him. I believe we spend far too much time appreciating the difficulties by which he tests us and not nearly enough time celebrating how easy life can be in the hands of this loving, creative, and artistic Being who is our Father in Heaven." (Margaret J. Wheatley)