As the world celebrates the year 2000 with fireworks and glitter, Latter-day Saint young women are turning their hearts to the birth and life of Jesus Christ some two millennia ago as they "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places." (Mosiah 18:9.)

This is the focus of the 2000 Young Women Worldwide Celebration being observed throughout the Church. Although worldwide celebrations are usually held every three years (the last being 1998), the Young Women general presidency, under direction of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, decided that the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ was "just a wonderful opportunity for young people to think about the Savior," said Margaret D. Nadauld, general Young Women president.

"That's what gave us the impetus to have a worldwide celebration," she continued, adding that the celebration's theme, "Stand as a Witness," is part of the regular Young Women Theme recited weekly by young women everywhere. Sister Nadauld and her counselors in the general Young Women presidency, Carol B. Thomas and Sharon G. Larsen, met with the Church News to discuss the yearlong worldwide celebration and its potential impact in the lives of young people. They expressed their enthusiasm over something a little different about this year's celebration from those in the past — an official hymn to support the theme. "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" (Hymns, No. 136) is not only to be part of Young Women meetings and activities, but it is also to be the center of the worldwide celebration's culminating activity — a musical tribute to the life and mission of the Savior — scheduled on or near Nov. 29 on a stake or district level.

"We're hoping that every young woman throughout the Church will memorize the words to that hymn," Sister Nadauld explained. "When they memorize the words to this hymn and sing it over and over, it will become part of them. The words in those verses are testimonies of the Savior, and they will stay with the girls, in their hearts and minds, we hope, their whole lives."

Instructions pertaining to the celebration were sent last fall accompanied by a letter from President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, to General Authorities and local priesthood leaders. Local Young Women leaders were to receive copies of the instructions and were to coordinate the yearlong celebration with their priesthood leaders. The instructions emphasize — as did Sister Nadauld and her counselors — that events relating to the worldwide celebration are to be integrated into the existing Young Women program. For example, in January local units were to introduce the theme, "Stand as a Witness," during the New Beginnings program. Then, throughout the year during opening exercises, on Sunday or at Mutual, young women and their leaders are to sing hymns that "testify of the Savior's life, His mission, and His Atonement."

In addition, the culminating event in November is to be combined with or replace the Young Women in Excellence night. This musical tribute to the life of the Savior may also include stories, narration or displays exemplifying the theme. The night's finale is to be a combined stake or district Young Women choir performing a rendition of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."

The general Young Women presidency also explained that other individual activities may be included within the Personal Progress program. For instance, young women could write and sign their personal testimonies, compile testimonies and/or conversion stories of ancestors or express their feelings about Christ through music, handwork, service, etc. A superb yearlong resource for the celebration, they added, is the recent testimony written by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, entitled "The Living Christ." (Please see Church News, Jan. 1, 2000.)

Speaking of the young women of the Church, Sister Thomas explained: "We really hope they feel a part of the worldwide Church in this celebration, that they recognize they are not just one girl in Africa or Brazil who is standing as a witness, that they know they are a part of an army of righteous young women who are standing as witnesses all over the world."

That fact is already apparent by the volume of correspondence recently received at the Young Women general offices from young women and their leaders expressing their feelings about standing as witnesses. (These letters came in response to questionnaires Young Women general officers distributed during recent training meetings.) For instance, one Young Women ward president wrote about the example a Mia Maid class president, Taunie, set for her in requesting a less-active girl to serve as a counselor. "The calling was extended and we have watched a girl who was once considered very inactive come out to Church and Mutual regularly. I'm grateful for this strong leader's faith and example."

Then there's Jasmine, who wrote how her older sister turned down a date on the eve of her 16th birthday. "She didn't even hesitate in her decision, she just simply replied, 'No, I won't be 16 yet, but thank you for asking.' "

These examples support Sister Larsen's observation of the theme. "The strength of this theme is that it focuses on what we're standing for, and whom we represent. It encourages young women to continually consider and improve their relationship with the Lord."