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Attendees of BYU Women's Conference listen to speaker Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president, in the Marriott Center on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Sarah Hunt, Daily Herald

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Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president, speaks during BYU Women's Conference in the Marriott Center on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Sarah Hunt, Daily Herald

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An attendee takes notes while listening to Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president, at the BYU Women's Conference in the Marriott Center on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Sarah Hunt, Daily Herald

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Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president, speaks during BYU Women's Conference in the Marriott Center on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Sarah Hunt, Daily Herald

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BYU president C. Shane Reese and his wife, Wendy listen to speaker Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society general president, at the BYU Women's Conference in the Marriott Center on Friday, May 5, 2023.

Sarah Hunt, Daily Herald

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Every week, people from all walks of life come to Brigham Young University for unity, conversation and faith. From Wednesday through Friday, hundreds of women from across the country gathered together to attend BYU Women’s Conference.

The convention, hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offered classes, devotionals, musical performances, service project and a chance to meet other women of the same faith.

The conference has been an annual event, starting in 1976, but 2023 was the first in-person gathering since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the conference, attendees spent time listening to prominent church leaders talk about joy, forgiveness, repentance, motherhood, temple attendance, emotional resilience, sharing the gospel, serving those in need, accepting byservice, divine potential and much more. Notes were taken, thoughts were shared, and spirits were uplifted and strengthened.

Natalie Teichert came from Idaho along with her sister, Anna Nelson, and their friend Amber Hulse just for the opportunity to learn. Teichert’s biggest takeaway from the conference came Thursday morning during the talk “‘Notwithstanding My Weakness’: Removing the Feeling of Forever Falling Short” by Rebecca L. Craven, Young Women’s General Presidency counselor, and Michelle D. Craig, Young Women’s General Presidency member.

“I loved when they talked about how we are not mistakes. We make mistakes. We’re not failures, we fail. And that was exactly what I needed to hear. They were so vulnerable in sharing their own experiences. I admire them so much, and hearing that they’ve been able to get through mistakes and failures was super helpful to me,” Teichert said.

Hulse was most impacted by the talk, “Finding Hope and Help When Struggling with Mental Illness” by Jackie Barron, a bishop’s wife from Idaho, and Cheryl McBride, a long-time therapist, due to her personal experiences.

The talk sought to connect people with mental health resources and ensure they feel connected with their faith in spite of emotional challenges.

“It just really hit me right in the heart. I just really felt a lot of love when they were saying, ‘it’s okay, you’re not broken.’ It’s okay to get help, and make sure you seek out that help and check on your loved ones. Check in, and make sure you’re genuinely checking in,” Hulse said.

For Nelson, the session “The Heart of Her Husband Doth Safely Trust in Her” by married couple Matthew and Kerry Wickman stood out the most. Matthew is a professor of English at BYU and Kerry is a psychotherapist.

While the talk focused on building a healthy marriage through interpersonal trust and spiritual connection, Nelson resonated with he couple themselves and the way they spoke and flowed together.

“You could tell that they love each other a lot and that they are each other’s biggest advocates. I got so much out of their presentation. It helped me really reflect on myself and things that I could do to bring myself closer to the Savior and to be a better helpmeet for my husband. I loved it so much. I felt like it was really talking to me and telling me exactly what inspiration I need right now,” Nelson said.

After the concluding devotional by Camille N. Johnson, Relief Society General President, attendees wandered out of the Marriott Center through the rain, carrying clear plastic bags filled with conference merchandise, full notebooks and a lifetime of guidance.

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