This post is a little different than the others, but I promise, it's worth it.
So, a few months ago I attended a women's conference. I was pretty excited about it and went with one of my friends. This conference had different classes that you could attend, one of which was called "Self-Worth." I went into this class with the expectation that I would learn how to better love myself and know how to work on the things I don't like without putting myself down. And by doing all of this, how to better know that God loves me. This seemed like a reasonable assumption, right?
Well, wasn't I surprised!
The class started off okay. The teacher started by talking about living our lives in a way that is pleasing to God. You know, that's cool. Perfectly good with that. But then the lesson turned to something completely different, and in my opinion, completely wrong.
Members of the class were participating in a discussion on what the teacher had presented. One woman in the group started talking about swearing. I get it, I don't love swearing. It doesn't exactly make me feel great to hear it or say it, but this woman started on about how you shouldn't swear because men don't like it. And if men don't like it, well then....
I was shocked. Wasn't this a SELF-WORTH class?!
My friend that was with me felt the same way but it seemed that we were the only ones as the conversation quickly snowballed into every comment being about don't-do-that-because-men-find-it-unattractive. It became "you shouldn't dress like this because men don't like women who dress like that," and "you shouldn't act like that because men won't like it." The teacher quickly joined in with this nonsense.
I should have had the guts to say something, but I felt super outnumbered and really in shock. This class that was supposed to teach this group of women ranging from ages 12-80 was really just spreading this false notion that in order to be of worth, you have to do what men like women to do.
Let me just tell you right now, that's complete crap.
Here's the truth about self-worth. You are worth more than rubies. You are a child of God and he loves you unconditionally. So much that he sent his son to suffer for your sins. You are amazing and wonderful and have so much to offer. You change the world every day and you don't even know it. You are worth more than you may ever know. Love yourself, because if anyone deserves love, it is you.
SO next time you hear someone saying that your worth, or any woman's worth is dictated by what a man thinks of you, please, for me and all the women of the world, you tell that person what's good about the worth of souls. And you make sure you never forget it.
Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God -D&C 18:10
