I am an avid reader and love historical stories, especially church history. When Daughters in My Kingdom first came out I read it front to cover, thought - those are inspiring stories - and put the book up on the book shelf.
When our challenge came to use it in our regular study, I had to find it on the bookshelf and pulled it down. Then we went to the Relief Society training, with General Relief Society President, Sis. Burton, who modeled how to use this book as she trained us. One of her comments really hit home with me - that this book is not only for us in the United States to strengthen our testimonies, but it is for all the sisters around the world who live in societies or cultures were they are considered second class citizens or even property. One of the purposes of this book is to teach those sisters and brethren, in those lands, the value and sacredness of womanhood and how the Priesthood and Relief Society work together for the saving of souls.
As I started the challenge to read the book again, I determined to look at it from this perspective - the emancipation of women. Imagine my surprise in Chapter 6 - A Worldwide Circle of Sisterhood - where those thoughts were actually discussed. Sis. Spafford reflected on the pioneer Relief Society leaders "standing as we do at the head of the women of the world,... for the rights of the women of Zion and the rights of the women of all nations."
Reflecting on this has made me more aware and grateful for the freedoms and respect I have both as a sister in the gospel and a citizen of this great nation. - Anne Koepsell, Windsong Ward
