PROVO — Thousands of women filled most of the Brigham Young University Marriott Center on Friday to hear from Sister Julie B. Beck, general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sister Beck spoke to the theme "Strengthen Thy Stakes: Standing Strong and Immovable in Faith" for BYU's Women's Conference, which is co-sponsored by the LDS Relief Society.

"Our task is great in this world," said Sister Beck. She is also the former counselor in the Young Women general presidency for the LDS Church.

Sister Beck told a story about her mother, who was living in Brazil in the 1950s when Sister Beck's father was a mission president. Sister Beck's mother was to organize a Relief Society. Her first meeting, with seven sisters, was especially challenging since Sister Beck's mother didn't speak a lot of Portuguese.

Their first Relief Society meeting consisted of a song, a prayer, a five-minute talk by a sister, and then Sister Beck's mother simply bearing her testimony in a few short sentences of Portuguese.

"Sisters, that's about as complicated as it needs to be," Sister Beck said. "Sometimes we complicate the gospel to such an extent that we forget what it's really about," she said. "It's about knowing that we have a Father in heaven. It's about knowing we have a Savior and making covenants. It's about knowing we have a restored gospel on the earth. And it's about testifying to one another of its truths."

In her talk Friday, Sister Beck advised the women to not waste time but to use their energy to work and serve — and to especially fortify their homes with positive influence while creating and nurturing.

"How will we account for what we did with the privileges we have been given?" she said.

Using scriptural references, Sister Beck warned against worldly ways. Many people are selfish and believe it's all about them. They think they should play now and pay later — live it up to the fullest. "That is preached everywhere in the world," she said.

Sister Beck advised women not to lower their defenses, saying their strength is in their family and home — which should be a place of refuge. The home can be turned into "a small fortress," where they can pull up the drawbridge and be safe, she said.

Taking responsibility and knowing where your children are and what they are doing at all times is of utmost importance, Sister Beck said. "Who else will do it?" she asked.

Sister Beck spoke of pioneer women who travelled west to build a foundation for others. Did these women sacrifice so you can have shopping malls, pedicures and bigger wardrobes? she asked. The pioneer women would ask today, "What did you do with the opportunity I created for you?"