Members of the Young Women general presidency said they are thrilled to hear that young women, their mothers, and their leaders are making the General Young Women Meeting on March 27 an event — a priority.

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Elizabeth Larsen of the Inwood 1st Ward, New York New York Stake, is one of thousands of Latter-day Saint young women who will participate in the Church's general Young Women meeting on March 27. The scene above is featured in a video to be shown during the meeting.

"It is the only place the young women will get a message that is specifically for them from a member of the First Presidency," said Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Young Women general president.

The theme of the meeting, like the 2010 Mutual theme for Latter-day Saint teens, is taken from Joshua 1:9 — "Be strong and of a good courage." In addition to the Young Women general presidency, a member of the First Presidency will speak to the young women.

"There are youth all over the world who are standing strong and being courageous. They are living the gospel, they are being leaders and they are making a difference," Sister Dalton said.

Meeting in her office with the Church News, Sister Dalton and her counselors, Sister Mary N. Cook and Sister Ann M. Dibb, said they hope parents and leaders will recognize this opportunity to gather and hear prophetic counsel as something that will strengthen the young women of the Church.

The meeting, Sister Cook said, will also give young women an opportunity to feel connected to the worldwide Church.

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Young women of the Flushing 2nd Ward, Queens New York Stake, will be part of video presentation shown during Church's general Young Women meeting.

"Whatever your situation, it is wonderful to be together," she said. "We will be talking about the importance of strengthening relationships with other young women, with their mothers, with their grandmothers and other women in their lives. Women like to gather and talk and share. I think the fact that this broadcast can provide opportunities for relationships that support righteousness is a great thing."

Sister Dibb added that the meeting, "in whatever setting, is an opportunity to gather together and feel the Spirit."

Maybe a young woman will attend with her sisters, or grandmother or Church leaders, she said.

"I hope afterwards they will discuss what they felt and what they heard because I think they will find that if you were to ask them, 'What message was for you?', the young women will have a variety of responses. I think that strengthens your testimony when you can discuss what you felt and then what you will do in regard to those feelings."

Many families and wards will make the meeting "an event," Sister Dalton said, explaining that she gathers with her daughters after the meeting for "love and learn time."

"We talk about what we loved and what we learned from the meeting. It is not only a great time to bond with your family but also with those whom you serve."

Sister Dibb said she hopes parents will build on the message given by the First Presidency at the meeting. Young Women leaders, she added, can do that as well, reminding the youth of the messages in Sunday lessons, at camp, and in all the activities they are involved in.

"I hope that leaders will pause after the broadcast to let the young women share what they learned and felt. I think those moments are really, really important."

Sister Cook encouraged the youth to come to the meeting with questions. "What questions do they have on their minds? If they come prepared it will be a much more meaningful meeting for them. They will get their questions answered if they will prepare themselves and come hungering and thirsting to receive an answer."

Sister Dalton agreed. "There is something about gathering. I think that the Lord pours out His Spirit in these meetings and in gatherings."

Most important, Sister Dalton said, is the message the youth will hear.

"This is the season to be strong, and it will take courage. ...

"When we are talking about strength in young women we are not talking so much about brute strength, or physical strength, as much as the strength that they possess as young women, which is unique — the strength of their testimony, the strength of their purity, the strength of their righteous influence, the strength of the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

"It is a strength that is unrecognized by the world and is untapped. There is power and strength in a young woman who understands her identity and who has a testimony of the gospel. That is unique power and strength. That spiritual strength is amazing."

Sister Dalton added that the theme comes from Joshua when the Lord was calling Joshua to be a leader, to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. But the Lord is also talking to the youth of today, she said.

"I think he is calling out to the youth at this time to be leaders. 'You can do it. You can be strong. You can live the standards. You can have courage, because the Lord is going to be with you.' He promised, 'I will be with you. I will enable and strengthen you to do what you need to do.' If everybody could just internalize the fact that they are not alone and that the Lord is with each righteous young woman, we will feel like the meeting will have been a grand success."

Every person will go through trials, added Sister Dalton. "And yes, it is going to be hard. But hard isn't bad; it is just hard."

She said the youth of the Church will grow stronger by doing hard things. It is "possible in the strength of the Lord."

"The Lord is going to be right there with them. That is quite amazing. I hope they go home with that feeling from the meeting."

sarah@desnews.com