Take courage, youth instructed
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President Thomas S. Monson talked to Latter-day Saint young women on March 28, telling them they will need courage in three aspects of their lives: courage to refrain from judging others, courage to be chaste and virtuous, and courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness.
"As I contemplate all that you face in the world today one word comes to my mind," said President Monson. "It describes an attribute needed by all of us but one which you — at this time of your life and in this world — will need particularly. That attribute is courage."
President Monson presided at the Church's General Young Women Meeting, held in the Conference Center and broadcast across the globe.
President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, other General Authorities and general auxiliary leaders also attended the broadcast. Sister Elaine S. Dalton, general Young Women president, and her counselors, Sister Mary N. Cook and Sister Ann M. Dibb, also spoke.
In his address, President Monson told the young women that although this is a remarkable period of time, when opportunities abound, they also face challenges that are unique to this time. It will take three kinds of courage to meet those challenges, he said.
Refrain from judging others
President Monson said a person may ask if it really takes courage to refrain from judging others. "And I would reply that I believe there are many times when refraining from judgment — or gossip or criticism, which are certainly akin to judgment — takes an act of courage."
Unfortunately, he continued, there are those who feel it necessary to criticize and to belittle others. "You have no doubt been with such people, as you will be in the future. My dear young friends, we are not left to wonder what our behavior should be in such situations. In the sermon on the Mount, the Savior declared, 'Judge not' (Matthew 7:1). At a later time He admonished, 'Cease to find fault one with another' (Doctrine and Covenants 88:124).
"It will take real courage, when you are surrounded by your peers and feeling the pressure to participate in such criticisms and judgments, to refrain from joining in."
President Monson recounted the experience of a girl named Sandra. Handicapped by an injury at birth, Sandra had no friends in her ward until a new girl, Nancy, moved in. "All the girls wanted to be [Nancy's] friend, but Nancy didn't limit her friendships. In fact, she went out of her way to befriend Sandra and to make sure she always felt included in everything."
The other girls followed Nancy's example, and "by the time Nancy and her family moved from the neighborhood a year or so later, Sandra was a permanent part of the group of young women."
President Monson said that from then on no one was left out by the girls, regardless of what might have made them different.
Be chaste and virtuous
Next, President Monson spoke about the courage young women will need to be chaste and virtuous.
"You live in a world where moral values have, in great measure, been tossed aside, where sin is flagrantly on display, and where temptations to stray from the strait and narrow path surround you. Many are the voices telling you that you are far too provincial, or that there is something wrong with you if you still believe there is such a thing as immoral behavior.
"The Lord declared: 'Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness' (Isaiah 5:20).
"Great courage will be required as you remain chaste and virtuous amid the accepted thinking of the times."
President Monson said in the world's view today there is little thought that young men and young women will remain morally clean and pure before marriage.
"Does that make immoral behavior acceptable? Absolutely not! The commandments of our Heavenly Father are not negotiable!"
He asked the young women to maintain an eternal perspective.
"Be alert to anything that would rob you of the blessings of eternity."
Stand for truth and righteousness
President Monson said his final plea to the young women is to have the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. "Because the trend in society today is away from the values and principles the Lord has given us, you will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which you believe. Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith. When firmly planted, your testimony of the gospel, of the Savior and of our Heavenly Father will influence all that you do throughout your life.
"The adversary would like nothing better than for you to allow derisive comments and criticism of the Church to cause you to question and doubt. Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe."
Recounting Lehi's vision of the tree of life, President Monson asked the young women to declare with the Apostle Paul, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16).
President Monson said that most of the worldwide congregation would find themselves in situations where great courage will be required as they stand firm for truth and righteousness.
"Again, 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 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 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."
