Lines separating the past, present and future seem to have blurred this year for young women throughout the Church.

Since January, as part of the yearlong 1998 Young Women Worldwide Celebration, they have discovered their roots in family history research, sought to bless their families with whom they now live, and prepared for families yet to come.

And, as Young Women Gen. Pres. Margaret D. Nadauld noted, "It's a thrill to see this happen."

Throughout November, as the worldwide celebration winds down, young women and their leaders have been holding local celebrations to solidify and share with others the importance of families. They've had musical programs, plays and exhibits; they've made picture pedigree charts; and put their arms around grandparents and strengthened relationships with parents, brothers and sisters.

They have been, according to the theme of the celebration, "Turning Hearts to the Family."

Sister Nadauld and her counselors in the Young Women general presidency, Carol B. Thomas and Sharon G. Larsen, met with the Church News recently to discuss the 1998 worldwide celebration and its impact on the lives of young women and their families.

"This has been a wonderful theme," Sister Nadauld explained. "Turning hearts to the family has really helped the girls focus on how they can bless their families and how they can think about members of their families who have gone on before. This has served to strengthen family ties."

And, she emphasized, the theme has helped young women understand the importance of preparing now for motherhood.

"What a great time to talk to young women about their families and the responsibilities they will have as the heart of a home," the Young Women general president added.

Sisters Nadauld, Thomas and Larsen reflected on their travels in various areas of the Church this year and what they observed relating to the worldwide celebration. Sister Thomas noted that through the celebration, young women have been learning "they have the ability to make a difference in their families."

"And hopefully, when our young women have the desire to strengthen their families, it naturally rubs off on their parents," she continued.

Sister Larsen added: "More than ever before, the leaders and the girls have been involving families in Personal Progress. We have 173 value experiences that young women can be involved in that relate to the family."

Speaking of family involvement, Sister Nadauld said: "Fathers have started to realize that they are an important part of the Personal Progress experience with their daughters. We are hearing about fathers sitting down with their daughters on Sunday afternoon, going through the Personal Progress book and setting goals and working together reaching those goals.

"Fathers and mothers love the opportunity to sign off when a girl has reached a goal. It gives parents the opportunity to cheer for their daughters, to give them a pat on the back and a hug and say, 'Way to go!' "

Another benefit of the celebration, agreed the general presidency, is the reminder of the importance of the Church family — about offering a safe, loving environment for young women who don't have strong families and about helping young and old alike realize they can make a difference in one another's life.

"I love the stories we've heard about young women who have turned to some of the older Relief Society sisters in their wards and tried to draw them into their circles of friendships. Not only have the older people helped the younger ones, but also the younger ones have helped the older ones," Sister Nadauld explained.

In addition, as a result of the celebration, more families are doing temple work together, Sister Larsen noted. "My neighbors, since this celebration began, go once a month to the temple as a family and do baptisms for the dead."

Continuing, Sisters Nadauld, Thomas and Larsen spoke about local celebrations that have been reported to them and to members of the Young Women General Board through correspondence or through area visits. They also spoke of the results in the lives of young women throughout the world. The following is representative: