Young women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were encouraged by their leaders to make "a happening" of the annual general meeting of the Young Women organization by coupling it with a special dinner or activity.

But teens from the Overton 1st Ward, Logandale Nevada Stake, coupled the meeting on Saturday with a six-hour drive to the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

"It looks so huge," said Stephanie Finlayson, who had never seen the building before. "I cried through the whole thing."

Thousands of women gathered in the Tabernacle for the meeting, which also was broadcast via satellite to some 3,000 meetinghouses throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. The program was rebroadcast over the church satellite and KBYU-TV later Saturday evening.

And for the first time, the meeting was also available via the Internet at www.LDSWorld.com. It was the last general meeting prior to the opening of the church's new Conference Center, said spokesman Dale Bills.

"I loved President (James E.) Faust's talk about femininity," said Overton 1st Ward's Young Women President Lori Ozaki. "He told us it was something to be proud of and not to try and change it."

The evening's addresses — from President Faust, Young Women General President Margaret D. Nadauld, and her counselors, Sister Carol B. Thomas and Sister Sharon G. Larsen — centered on the counsel to "stand as a witness" of God, a reference to the organization's theme.

The topics of personal integrity and modesty were most common.

President Faust told the young women that femininity is "not just about lipstick, stylish hairdos and trendy clothes," but rather "part of the God-given divinity within each of you.

"It is your incomparable power and influence to do good," he said. "You can, through your supernal gifts, bless the lives of children, women and men. Be proud of your womanhood."

There are many poor examples of womanhood in society, President Faust said. "Immodesty in women cheapens their image. It causes embarrassment and loss of respect."

But he acknowledged current fashion trends. "You young ladies may have a hard time buying a modest prom dress. May I suggest that you make your own? You may need some help, but plenty of help is available."

Sister Nadauld told the audience that the best way to "stand as a witness" is to exercise good judgment.

"You can stand up and change the channel on the television, turn off the pornography on the computer, leave a movie, and don't . . . rent the racy video," she said. "Don't wear the revealing clothes that are too tight, or too bare or too short. Leave them in the closet. Better still, leave them in the store."

Sister Nadauld warned the young teens that popular culture has a numbing influence.

"Pay attention. Don't allow yourselves to be desensitized by gradual lapses in good judgment," she said.

In her address, Sister Larsen told an "up-to-date" version of the biblical parable of the good Samaritan.

"A certain girl went down from her locker toward the lunchroom and fell among thieves who stripped her of her confidence and self-esteem," she said.

One by one, three classmates passed the girl, two on the other side of the hall, Sister Larsen explained.

"But a certain young woman came down the hall where she was, and when she saw her, she had compassion and went to her and bound up her wounds when she said, 'Would you eat lunch with me?' "

The girls who passed this classmate were only asking what would happen to them if they stopped, Sister Larsen explained. "The girl who did stop to help also had one question: 'If I don't stop, what will happen to her?'

"When we are confident of our Father in heaven's infinite love, we can reach out to others," she said.

Sister Thomas read letters from young women who had demonstrated personal integrity.

"There is a common thread which runs through all of these stories," she said. "You've heard it a thousand times before. Reading your scriptures and saying your prayers invites the spirit to be with you."

The General Young Women Meeting is held every spring, preceding the church's annual general conference.