My Notes on General Young Women's Session

This evening I watched the General Young Women's Session of Conference. Here it is if you would like to watch it. I will give you some of my notes after the video (it may read a little 'chuncky' I took notes on those things that stuck out to me). For those friends of mine who are not Mormon many of you know that I volunteer for my faith. One of the responsibilities Heidi and I have is to assist the young women (12-18) in our local congregation to try and live by these teachings.



Notes:

First Speaker: Ann M. Dibb, Second Councilor General Young Women's Presidency
The thirteenth article of faith is the theme for our youth this year. Here is it.
"13^aWe believe in being ^bhonest, true, ^cchaste, ^dbenevolent, virtuous, and in doing ^egood to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we ^fhope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to ^gendure all things. If there is anything ^hvirtuous, ⁱlovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

Two Principles that keep us safe and on course: Being Honest and Being True

Being Honest means being true to the little things in life. Is there any difference between dishonesty between taking a thousand dollars or a couple pennies? There is not. We must be honest with ourselves, with others and with God. When we are honest we experience peace of mind. Our relationships are better because there is trust. Those who are honest are trustworthy. You must be honest in all your dealings small or great.

When we are tempted to be dishonest we may suppose no one will ever know. Well that is simple not true, at the very least your father in heaven will know. In this day and age of technology it is especially difficult to really hide dishonesty. Living an honest life though difficult brings peace of mind.

Being True means resisting distractions that lead away from what you know to be right . Laws and principles are for difficult times. They help guide us. In the hour of need we need to plant our feet and stay true to our beliefs.
Please commit to live honestly and true. Blessings both temporally and spiritually will be yours.

Second Speaker: Mary N Cook, Second Councilor General Young Women's Presidency
Seek out virtuous and lovely things. Happiness and kindness are a hallmark of LDS girls. Benevolence is also one of our hallmarks. Benevolence is a a lovely word which means to wish someone well. It means to be charitble and to seek the needs of others. When we center our lives on Jesus we can become more benevolent. The Savior was benevolent. His parable of the good Samaritan is a good example of the type of charity he would commend to us. Everyone is our neighbor. Everyone deserves our benevolence.

We must want the best for others as we want the best for our selves. We need to notice those who are lonely and living in a black and white world. Interact with those who are lonely. Have the courage to refrain from judging and criticism. Have the courage to help everyone feel valued and loved. (Invitation: Invited all young women to do one act of 'Good Samaritan' type service this week)

Please provide simple acts of charity. Be mindful of the elderly. Add your color to their life. Open a door for someone, smile, be kind. It all begins with you. Make sure you are a peace maker in your family. Kindness begins with you and you can help your family. You can also have an impact on little children. Be kind to them.

Third Speaker: Elaine S Dalton President General Young Women's Presidency
The young women are the hope of Israel. I hope all young women will live worthy to make and keep sacred covenants. The joy that comes from marriage and living the gospel are real and can be yours. There is a reason we believe in being chaste and virtuous. It is through this that you will one day be able to kneel across the altar from your husband and be sealed for all eternity. He likewise will be chaste. The loyalty and trust inherent in reserving yourself for one will be a strength to you.

Personal Progress and For the Strength of Youth can help you to stay virtuous. There are many distractions on your path to the temple. Please keep going, you can do it. The sacrifices you make now will be worth it when you do get married. Your parents and leaders are here to help as you walk your path towards the temple. If you get of course they are there to help you. You can do, you are determined and you will be example to others. Please guard your personal virtue. They are most dear and precious above of all things.

You really only have to make the decision once. When the hour of temptation comes you will have the strength to live up to the decisions you have made. Please be modest in your dress and speech. Be careful of your use of technology. Use it wisely. Help young men to also live chaste lives.

For the mothers, you are your daughters most important example. Let your girls know that their value is not based on their sensuality. They are daughters of God. They are strong and clean. Help them stay that way. Help them stand for something help them lead on this issue.

Young women you can do hard things. You will be given the strength you need. The blessings you will enjoy will be great. Prepare for that day you will be able to enter the temple clean to marry a young man equally clean, chaste and true. Happiness and peace will be yours. Your strength will carry you.

Fourth Speaker: President Henry B Eyring First Counselor First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

You are the bright hope of this Church. If you believe this it will shape your small daily choices. From your choices the Lord will be able to bless countless others. There are more than million of you in attendance around the world. In this last hour your faith has been strengthened. You have felt the spirit strengthened you.

Technology has allowed you to connect to people around the world. You must have a testimony of a loving god to navigate this world. There is a need for the young daughters of Israel to gain a firm testimony. You are daughters of God. You must come to understand that on your own, independent of anyone else. You must then transmit that light across the world. A testimony is convincing. It is yours and leaves no doubt. It comes through pray and study of the scriptures. It comes from living the principles the Savior taught.

Your testimony may come in pieces as you progress. A new principle will become meaningful to you as you live it and experience its fruits. Begin your quest with a particle of faith and desire for it to grow. As you do that it will begin to grow. You must continue to nurture it. Over time and through labor it will become fruitful.

Claim the promise of Moroni often. There is danger in neglecting prayer. There is danger in casual study. Study, practice and pray. The Lord will let you know in your heart that the principles of the gospel are true. You must apply all three evenly.

Post Meeting:
After the meeting we had all the young women over to our house for root beer floats.