Young Women: Witnesses of God
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Standing as witnesses of God, strengthening home and family now, and preparing for future homes and families were the central messages delivered to the young women of the Church on March 29. In the Conference Center during the General Young Women Meeting, members of the Young Women general presidency spoke during the annual Churchwide broadcast.
Sister Tanner:
Nurturng a spirit of faith, love, peace
Standing at the pulpit of the Conference Center, Young Women General President Susan W. Tanner declared her love for the young women of the world and said she especially loved "to promise with you that we will 'stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.'
"How can we do this? As I speak, I pray that the Spirit will guide us and testify to each of us as to how we can stand as witnesses for God."
Sister Tanner shared experiences from the lives of her children in standing as witnesses of God. One daughter served a mission during which she and her companion taught a young adult woman named JieLei. As she learned about the gospel, she obeyed each new commandment and even rearranged her schedule so she didn't have to work Sundays. But she did not have a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon.
Sister Tanner's daughter and companion began preparing a lesson for JieLei on the Holy Ghost when they felt prompted to teach her a lesson on Jesus Christ. During the lesson, the young woman began to cry and asked, "What is this I am feeling?" The missionaries explained this was the Spirit.
"Our daughter realized that as she stood as a witness of Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost confirmed it. We, too, can stand as witnesses as 'we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ' and look to Him as the source for 'a remission of (our) sins."'
Sister Tanner expressed gratitude for her own mother standing as a witness in her childhood home. "The oldest child in a less-active family, she was born with the gift of faith" and strengthened her home and family.
"You young women, too, can stand as a witness of God by nurturing a spirit of faith, love, peace and testimony in your homes now, preparing you to do the same when you establish your own future homes. I am the product of a righteous young woman who stood 'steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works."'
Sister Dalton:
Foundation of faith centered on Jesus Christ
In order for young women to accomplish their divine mission and live the plan of happiness, Elaine S. Dalton declared March 29, they "must be steadfast and immovable 'at all times and in all things, and in all places"' (Mosiah 18:9).
Sister Dalton, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, said: "Your foundation of faith must be firmly centered on Jesus Christ. Having that kind of faith means you rely on Him, you trust in Him, and even though you do not understand all things, you know that He does. You also know that you are a daughter of God and that He knows you by name, that He hears your prayers, and that He will help you accomplish your earthly mission."
Sister Dalton related the account of a young man, Jess, who was elected student body president at a large university. At a leadership seminar, the student leaders were presented with current issues during a recreational activity. In response to "strongly agree," "partially agree," "strongly disagree" and "mildly disagree," they ran to various trees marked with those responses. When presented with the question, "Do you believe in premarital sex?" Jess was the only student leader to run to the tree marked "strongly disagree."
"A testimony that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer made Jess firm and quick to respond," Sister Dalton said. "You can gain that same confidence as you pray daily, search for answers in your scriptures and obey the commandments. As you sincerely seek to gain a testimony, the knowledge will come through the Holy Ghost and it will assist you with your challenges, with questions and with living the standards. And it will be easy for you also to commit to be steadfast and immovable at all times and in all things, and in all places."
Reminding the young people that nearly all of Satan's attacks are directed at the body, Sister Dalton added, "Obedience to the commandments and standards enables each of you to be steadfast and immovable in protecting the precious gifts of your agency and your body."
Sister Cook:
Rise above the evils of the world
Likening young women to beautiful, flowering water lilies that are anchored on firm stalks, Sister Mary N. Cook declared: "Your freshness, purity, and beauty add much goodness to our lives and to the lives of your family. You live in a challenging world polluted with temptations and trials, yet your testimony of Jesus Christ can be your anchor. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will strengthen and help your testimony grow, and you will be able to rise above the evils of the world and maintain your position of righteousness."
Sister Cook, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, referred to a video shown during the broadcast. "I would invite each of you to follow this pattern:
• "First, pray to your Heavenly Father. Ask Him for help in finding answers to your questions."
• "In addition to prayer, study the scriptures about faith.... As you learn from the scriptures, I know the Lord will bless you with His Spirit and, like the young women we heard from tonight, your understanding will be enlightened."
• "Studying the words of our latter-day prophets will also increase your faith." Sister Cook referred to the counsel found in "For the Strength of Youth."
• "You must follow the final step in our pattern and 'keep these standards and live by the truths in the scriptures.... Faith is a principle of action."
Sister Cook offered examples of a young woman who realized she was a disciple of Jesus Christ and decided to dress more modestly, and of another young woman who recognized how her choices affect her younger sister.
Seeking answers through
prayer, scriptures leads to bounteous blessings
The blessings of findings answers to prayer was the focus of a video segment of the General Young Women Meeting on March 29. During the film, shown on the screens of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City and shown throughout the Church via satellite broadcast, related the account of several young women and their journey to answers about modesty and obedience.
"Heavenly Father cares about what they care about," one Young Women leader said, in speaking about a ward Young Women group who asked her what the Church's position was on two-piece bathing suits. She challenged them, through study and prayer, to seek for the answer instead of providing it to them.
Thus began the journey. Through scripture study, personal and family prayers and reading the words of living prophets, the young women not only learned about the value of modesty and how their bodies are gifts from God, they also gained deeper testimonies that their Heavenly Father loves them and they discovered a deeper unity among themselves.
"My heart just grew," one young woman said, of how she feels about her fellow young women. "My heart swelled for all of them."
The video included a statement from President Thomas S. Monson.
