There are some thoughts I would like to share about verbalizing feelings, questions, ideas and insights in public. Some people have a talent for speaking; they create sentences while they are speaking and it flows naturally. Some of us have trouble speaking in public.
I remember a time during my teenage years when public speaking was terrifying to me. When I needed to read out loud in classes, my heart raced, my breathing was off, which caused my voice to tremble and my face turned red. I sometimes pretended to have a coughing fit, so that someone else had to read my part!
Maybe you can relate, maybe not. But we need to be aware that this is something that exists and not talked about very much because of shame and… well… probably for the reason that people who experience this don’t like to speak in public.
So, what is holding us back from speaking? There can be several reasons, which can go all the way back to childhood. It is important to discover that reason, so we can overcome our fear for speaking up. But there are some tools we can use to be able to get used to using our voice.
For instance: you are planning to participate in the Second Invitation online meeting and you are reading the lesson for the meeting for Saturday. During your preparation a question or insight comes to mind while reading the lesson material. What is the next step you take?
Do you think: I will remember my question until it is time to ask? Or do you write it down? Then, when the moment arrives during the meeting to share your question or insights, how do you act? Do you wait until others go before you, because you don’t want to go first? Do you still remember your question? Are you afraid you will talk too fast and no one will understand you? Or maybe now you perceive your question as insignificant?
Sister Rafaela once said at the beginning of a meeting which she was leading, that we should ask questions because those questions might disclose insights that we have not had before.
We all matter, our minds matter, our unique insights matter.
We do have to be aware that during the meetings of the Second Invitation we are dealing with two or more languages. So, communication should be as clear and concise as possible. Think beforehand of questions or insights you want to share, so you can accomplish this goal. And write them down: it is okay to read from a paper copy.
Female Voices:
Let the men learn in silence with all subjection. For I suffer not a man to teach nor to usurp authority over the woman, but to be in silence.
What are your feelings after reading this? Now, imagine if, over the centuries, people had read that verse in a book that we believe is the Word of God.
I know, I changed the words a little. You can read the original words in 1 Timothy 2:11-121. The reason I changed the words is to point out that the female voice has been suppressed for centuries by an interpretation of this verse—making it hard for women to be comfortable communicating in church meetings.
In the Second Invitation we have the opportunity to let the female voice be heard and to listen to it. Through revelation we know that it is essential that women are placed at the forefront of this vital project and that women need to participate in the development and presentation of the several studies we have in the Second Invitation².
In the Second Invitation we see women teaching, writing, and speaking. In fact, women in General Authority positions is what sets us apart from the traditional LDS church, RLDS groups, and Temple Lot church. In these organizations no women were or are serving in leadership positions as General Authorities.
Sister Rafaela Berger is second counsellor in the Executive Quorum of the United Order and is a member of the General Authorities. Sister Melva Cackler, the president of the female society “Fountain of Living Waters” in the Second Invitation and the Church of Christ, was called by revelation through Prophet Mauricio Berger at the conference in November 2019; and set apart to this calling during the November 2020 conference. Part of her “calling and responsibility is to bring attention to negative attitudes and behaviours that are expressed towards women. Both men, and women, need to recognize and accept the vitally important role that women have in the leadership of the church as well as in ministry to families and the needs of the community3.” The president of the Fountain of Living Waters is a member of the General Authorities and has an active voice in decisions that affect the church; recently, her two counsellors, Renee Crowell and Carla Batista, have also been included in the General Authorities leadership.
Women have a great opportunity to help move the work forward because of their knowledge, feelings, insights and ideas. Women who have difficulties with communicating in public do need to find the courage and tools to be able to share unique views in a helpful way. Next to courage we also need the wisdom to know when it is better to ponder things in our heart (Luke 2:19) before speaking.
Joseph Smith received a revelation which can be read in Doctrine and Covenants 25:7 (24:2c RLDS): “And thou shalt be ordained under his hand to expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my Spirit.” We should notice here the help from the Holy Spirit, which we can always ask for in times of need.
This revelation was addressed to Emma, Joseph’s wife. But in the last verse of this revelation is written: “And verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my voice unto all. Amen” (emphasis added).
Which is also true for this article.
Endnotes:
- Editorial note about 1 Timothy 2:11-12: as explained by various Bible commentaries, this restriction was most likely intended for a specific local problem related to the influence of a cult that appealed to women. But unfortunately, over the centuries this verse has continued to be used to restrict the ministry of women.
- Revelations and Doctrines of the Second Invitation, article 20:27
- https://olivroseladodemormon.org/en/the-ministry-of-the-international-fountain-of-living-waters-president-melva-a-cackler/
