'Be example of believers,' young women told
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President Thomas S. Monson and members of the Young Women general presidency asked young women worldwide to "Be Thou an Example of the Believers" on March 28.
Following are excerpts from addresses given at the General Young Women Meeting — held in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City and broadcast to meetinghouses across the globe — by President Monson and Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women general president, and her counselors, Sister Mary N. Cook and Sister Ann M. Dibb.
President Thomas S. Monson:
"My dear young sisters, although there have always been challenges in the world, many of those which you face are unique to this time. But you are some of our Heavenly Father's strongest children, and He has saved you to come to the earth 'for such a time as this' (Esther 4:14). With His help, you will have the courage to face whatever comes. Though the world may at times appear dark, you have the light of the gospel which will be as a beacon to guide your way.
"My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. As you do so, you will be 'an example of the believers' (see 1 Timothy 4:12) and your lives will be filled with love and peace and joy."
Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women general president:
"What does it mean to 'return to virtue'? We are calling for a return to moral purity and chastity. Virtue is purity. Virtue is chastity. The word virtue has also been defined as 'integrity and moral excellence, power and strength.' (Guide to the Scriptures, Virtue, www.scriptures.lds.org; Luke 8:46). The core of a virtuous life is sexual purity, and yet this definition has almost been erased by the world. The prophet Mormon taught that chastity and virtue are 'most dear and precious above all things' (Moroni 9.9). They go together. You cannot have one without the other, and 'we believe in being .... virtuous' (Articles of Faith 1:13).
"In order to be virtuous and remain virtuous, you must be true to your divine identity and establish patterns of thought and behavior based on high moral standards (see Preach my Gospel p. 118-119). These standards are eternal and they do not change."
Sister Mary N. Cook, first counselor, Young Women general presidency:
"You, my dear young women, have already made many good choices. Now you must establish patterns of virtue that will keep you on this path and throughout your life. Seek out 'examples of the believers' (see 1 Timothy 4:12) who can be at your side to support and help you live a life of virtue.
"Why is our being virtuous so important not just to our earthly parents, but to our Heavenly Father as well? Virtue brings peace, strength of character, and happiness in this life. Our Heavenly Father knew that we would be faced with many choices and challenges, and virtuous living would prepare us to succeed."
Sister Ann M. Dibb, second counselor, Young Women general presidency:
"The small and simple things you choose to do today will be magnified into great and glorious blessings tomorrow. Living each day as 'an example of the believers' (1 Timothy 4:12) will strengthen your testimonies, help you keep your baptismal covenants, and prepare you to receive the blessings of the temple so that eventually you can return to your Heavenly Father.
"May each of us strive to be 'an example of the believers.' May we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and do all that is asked of us, and may we do these things in faith, nothing wavering, with a pure and virtuous heart."
