In reflecting on the sacrifices and incredible hardships of the pioneers, President Thomas S. Monson asked at the General Young Women Meeting March 29: "What about our time? Are there pioneering experiences for us, for you and for me?"

President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, continued: "Will future generations reflect with gratitude on our efforts, our examples? You young women, wherever you are this night, can indeed be pioneers in courage, in faith, in charity, in determination."You can strengthen one another; you have the capacity to notice the unnoticed," he added. "When you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel, you can reach out and rescue others of your age."

The meeting was based on the pioneer sesquicentennial theme, "Faith in Every Footstep." Other speakers were members of the Young Women general presidency, Gen. Pres. Janette Hales Beckham, who also conducted, and her counselors, Virginia H. Pearce and Bonnie D. Parkin. (See separate articles on page 4.)

In addition, three young women, Fono Lavatai of the Center 3rd Ward, Salt Lake Riverside Stake; Alejandra Hernandez of the Federal Heights Ward, Salt Lake Emigration Stake; and Kristin Banner of the Parrish Canyon Ward, Centerville Utah Stake; shared experiences in their lives of taking steps of faith to overcome challenges. Offering her testimony during Sister Pearce's address was Carly Nielson of the Crestwood 18th Ward, Kaysvile Utah Crestwood Stake.

Also attending the meeting were President Gordon B. Hinckley; his second counselor in the First Presidency, President James E. Faust; and Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elder Ben B. Banks of the Seventy, priesthood advisers to the Young Women. Others attending were the general presidencies of Relief Society and Primary, and former members of Young Women general presidencies, including former presidents Ardeth G. Kapp, Elaine Cannon and Ruth Funk.

In addition to the some 6,000 in the Tabernacle on this chilly, spring evening were thousands of others who watched the proceedings over the Church satellite network in more than 3,100 meetinghouses throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

President Monson, in speaking of his favorite definition of a pioneer - "One who goes before, showing others the way to follow" - related the experiences of his great-grandparents, Gibson and Cecelia Sharp Condie, who lived in Clackmannan, Scotland.

"Their families were engaged in coal mining - at peace with the world, surrounded by relatives and friends and housed in fairly comfortable quarters in a land they loved. They listened to the message of the missionaries . . . and were converted to the very depths of their souls."

President Monson spoke of how the family, with five children, boarded a ship for the voyage across the Atlantic, en route to Zion. During the 3,000-mile, eight-week journey across treacherous seas, their son Nathaniel became sick and died. Watching their child buried at sea, President Monson said, "Only those parents knew the crushing blow dealt to wounded hearts." However, he said, the grieving parents were comforted by the words, "Not my will, but Thy will, O Father."

Speaking of what historians describe as one of the great epics in U.S. history, President Monson said: "Mormon pioneers by the hundreds suffered and died from disease, exposure and starvation. There are some who, lacking wagons and teams, literally walked the 1,300 miles across the plains and through the mountains, pushing and pulling handcarts. As the long, painful struggle approached its welcome end, a jubilant spirit filled each heart."

Continuing, he expressed the hope "that you young people recognize the strength and the power of your testimonies." He told the experience of Olga, a woman about 25 years of age, who lived in Czechoslovakia. She had brought to membership in the Church within two years 16 young men and young women her own age. She later introduced even more to the gospel as she encouraged others to "come unto Him," President Monson added.

"My young sisters, we really don't know how much good we can do until we put forth the effort. Our testimonies can penetrate the hearts of others and can bring to them the blessings which will prevail in this troubled world and which will guide them to exaltation."

President Monson counseled his listeners to honor their fathers and mothers. "My dear young sisters, . . . don't wait until that voice you love is stilled before you say, `I love you, Mother; I love you, Father.' Now is the time to think and now is the time to thank. I trust you do both."

He also advised the young women to cautiously choose their friends. "In a survey made in selected wards and stakes of the Church, we learned a most significant fact: those persons whose friends married in the temple usually married in the temple, while those persons whose friends did not marry in the temple usually did not marry in the temple. The influence of one's friends appeared to be a highly dominant factor - even equal to or more so than parental urging, classroom instruction or proximity to a temple."

Addressing the "noble leaders of young women," President Monson declared, "You stand at the crossroads in the lives of those whom you teach."

He told the account of a Young Women teacher, Baur Dee, and the bond she had with the girls in her class. Baur Dee died of nephritis at the age of 27. President Monson related, "One of her girls has said, `Wherever I go, whatever I do, something of Baur Dee, my teacher, goes with me and with each of her `girls.' "

In closing, President Monson quoted a scriptural passage: " `I perceive that ye are in the paths of righteousness; I perceive that ye are in the path which leads to the kingdom of God.' (Alma 7:19.) To all of you noble pioneers who go before, showing others the way to follow, I urge `Carry on.' "

During the evening, a feeling of Easter pervaded the building as white lilies adorned the pipes of the Tabernacle organ, along with flags bearing the Young Women colors. Spring flowers adorned the podium.

Providing music was a young women choir from the Kearns and Magna Utah stakes, with Merrilee Webb directing and Bonnie Goodliffe accompanying on the organ. During a melody of Primary songs sung by the choir, Karen Maloy of the West Bountiful (Utah) 4th Ward played the violin, while Dave Compton of the Parkview Ward, Murray Utah Parkway Stake, played the harmonica.

Offering the invocation was Heather Nelson, a Laurel from the Beaver Ward, Fielding Utah Stake; the benediction was given by Sarah Owen, a Mia Maid from the Oak Hills 9th Ward, Provo Utah Oak Hills Stake.