Finding the courage to meet life's challenges can come by looking to the lighthouse of the Lord for direction and by understanding the important role each woman plays.

Women, young women and Primary girls attending the annual General Women's Meeting of the Church received this counsel at the Sept. 29 meeting, which originated from the Tabernacle on Temple Square."The world seems to have slipped from the moorings of safety and drifted from the harbor of peace," President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, said at the meeting.

"I counsel you: Look to the lighthouse of the Lord," he said. "There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls, "This way to safety; this way to home."

Chieko N. Okazaki, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, conducted the annual meeting. "We rejoice in this opportunity to meet together to hear gospel messages and to feel the strength of each other's spirits," she said.

Betty Jo N. Jepsen, first counselor in the Primary general presidency; Ardeth G. Kapp, Young Women general president; and Elaine L. Jack, Relief Society general president, also addressed the meeting. (See separate stories on page 4.)

Music was provided by a 400-voice choir of women, young women and girls from stakes and wards in the Provo Utah Region.

The women's meeting - translated into 11 languages - was telecast via satellite to about 3,000 gatherings of women in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Haiti, the West Indies and the Dominican Republic.

In his address, President Monson said, "The spirit which permeates this meeting here in the historic Tabernacle and in hundreds of stake centers and chapels in many parts of the world is a reflection of your strength, your devotion, your goodness."

Speaking about the lighthouse of the Lord and its safety signals, President Monson introduced a new booklet titled, For the Strength of Youth, which contains words of warning and safety standards.

The booklet will also be discussed at the General Priesthood Meeting Oct. 6. After general conference bishops and stake presidents will be notified of its availability.

The booklet addresses 12 standards, and President Monson touched on each subject.

1. Dating - "Begin to prepare now for a temple marriage," he said. "Because dating is a preparation for marriage, date only those who have high standards."

2. Dress and appearance - "Dress in such a way as to bring out the very best in yourself and those around you."

3. Friendshipping - "Everyone needs good friends. Your circle of friends will greatly influence your thinking and behavior, just as you will theirs. Treat everyone with kindness and dignity."

4. Honesty - "A Latter-day Saint young woman lives as she teaches and as she believes," President Monson said. "She is honest with others. She is honest with herself. She is honest with God. She is honest by habit and as a matter of course. Have the courage to do what you know to be right."

5. Language - How a person speaks and the words she uses tell much about the image she chooses to portray, he said. Use language to build and uplift others.

6. Media (movies, television, radio, videocassettes, books and magazines) - Avoid any semblance of pornography, President Monson counseled. "Sisters, don't be afraid to walk out of a movie, turn off a television set or change your radio station if what's being presented does not meet your Heavenly Father's standards. In short, if you have any questions about whether a particular movie, book or other form of entertainment is appropriate, don't see it, don't read it, don't participate."

7. Mental and physical health - Use good eating habits and avoid fad diets, President Monson explained. "Hard drugs, wrongful use of prescription drugs, alcohol, coffee, tea and tobacco products destroy your physical, mental and spiritual well being."

8. Music and dancing - "Music can help you draw closer to your Heavenly Father," he continued. "However, music can, by its tempo, beat, intensity and lyrics, dull your spiritual sensitivity. You cannot afford to fill your minds with unworthy music."

9. Sexual purity - President Monson quoted President David O. McKay who said, "I implore you to think clean thoughts. Every action is preceded by a thought. If we want to control our actions, we must control our thinking." President Monson said, "Sisters, fill your minds with good thoughts, and your actions will be proper."

10. Sunday behavior - "Many activities are appropriate for the Sabbath. Bear in mind, however, that Sunday is not a holiday. Sunday is a holy day."

11. Spiritual help - "Be true, sisters, to your ideals, for `ideals are like stars: [you can't touch] them with your hands, [but by] following them you reach your destination.' Spiritual help is but a prayer away."

12. Repentance - "If any has stumbled in her journey, there is a way back," he affirmed. "If you have sinned, the sooner you begin to make your way back, the sooner you will find the sweet peace and joy that come with the miracle of forgiveness."

"Joy and happiness come from living the way the Lord wants you to live and from service to God and others," President Monson said.

"You have a heritage: honor it. You will meet sin: shun it. You have the truth: live it. You have a testimony: share it."