What it Means to be an Elect Lady
Latter-day Woman Community
Elect means to choose. For instance, one elects to have surgery. We elect persons to represent us when we vote. I believe to be an elect woman means two things. First, it means I have made a choice. I have chosen to be the best representative of my authentic self to my Heavenly Father and my Brother Jesus Christ. To be an elect woman, I will make choices that bring me closer to Them. As an elect woman, I make decisions based on my desire to know Them, to follow Them and to be the best version of me that I can be.
In that same regard, I also believe an elect woman is one that has been chosen. Through righteous living, I have been chosen to receive the gifts of motherhood, forgiveness, a temple endowment, sealing blessings, life on earth, friendships, discipleship, minister to others. It is a matter of agency, the grand principle of the eternities that allows me to offer myself as an elect woman, but it is also a great and gracious gift that I might be an elect, or a chosen woman as I strive daily to be more like my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by following Them.
The beautiful thing about being an elect woman is that we all have the opportunity to choose, to be elect! God is no respecter of persons. He wants us all to be elect women. We simply have to plant our feet on the path and elect to move toward Him, no matter where we are. It is not, in my opinion, a status, as much as it is a daily choice.
Cheryl Adams
I’ve thought about this term Elect Lady often. We see it in the Doctrine and Covenants referring to Emma Smith. We also see it in the New Testament 2 John 1. Recently I felt a deeper understanding of the term through the little phrase found in Matthew 2:14 and D&C 121:34 which says, “Many are called but few are chosen.” Chosen and Elect are synonymous.
I had a small bit of inspiration not very long ago as I was wondering what exactly was meant by that verse and it came to me that it is sort of link a job interview where a lot of people show up to be interviewed (they are called) but only a few get the job or assignment because they were the ones who had the right experience (chosen).
What could be the experience necessary to be chosen by God? A willingness to follow Him. A desire to choose the right. A seed of Faith that will start us on the straight and narrow path to return to live with Him. The greatest thing though is that there are unlimited positions in the company of Heavenly Father, None of us have to be left out. We just need the desire to be better and keep growing.
So how can I be an Elect or Chosen Lady? By continual progression on the covenant path, choosing obedience to the commandments and carrying on every day to deepen my relationship with Christ through study and prayer. It’s not something that is an end goal. It is a person we can be today even without perfection. Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be an Elect Lady every day of our lives.
Beth Smith
Our ‘Once upon a time’ is now, during this, the dispensation of the fullness of times. A conventional concept frames the restoration of all Priesthood ordinances. The Lord tells Emma Smith to ‘Hearken’ (listen with her whole self) as He lovingly confides the truth that she is His daughter; an elect lady. An elect lady is an heir to all the Father has; because of Jesus and the restoration through Joseph Smith. As descendants of Abraham, we learn through them that God’s promises are sure; that He provides and He prevails as we accept and live on the covenant path. President Nelson has said “No one can do what a righteous woman can do. The gathering of Israel is the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, the greatest work on the earth today.” He told us we shape the future by helping to gather scattered Israel. The Lord said this was His voice unto all. As we strive to be elect ladies on our covenant paths, we will find our “Happily Ever After.”
Carolyn Carlin
Being an elect lady doesn’t mean I have to squeeze myself into an Emma-shaped cookie cutter. Being elect means using my spiritual gifts, as well as my own brand of personality, to accomplish the things for which I am called. Being elect doesn’t require a stoic dignity as much as an open and willing heart ready to give at a moment’s notice.
Now, when I picture elect women, I don’t envision stoic Emma. I see my grandmother wrapping gifts for hundreds of people a year for Christmas and birthdays. I see my sister-in-law cutting hair for dozens at a family party. I see my sister speaking passionately about mental health issues that affect so many. I see my mom feeding hundreds of young single adults after church. I picture my friends ministering to me in ways big and small. I see it in my daughters’ compassion and obedience. I see it in Emma’s long-suffering and pain. Perhaps it is in these moments when we are most vulnerable and the least capable of facing our task that our partnership with God can be the strongest, and our spirits most elect.
Melissa Turney