The new Young Women General President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told reporters today that parents and the Church are helping young women around the world to realize their potential.
Refering to the 540,000 young women of the Church as our “bright, shining hope for the future,” Sister Elaine S. Dalton emphasized the need for them to learn that they are daughters of God and that with that knowledge they can move forward with confidence.
Sister Dalton was joined in the news conference, held in the Relief Society Building on Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City, by her two counselors, Sister Mary N. Cook and Sister Ann M. Dibb.
When asked by a reporter what the new presidency planned to do to reach out to young women of the world, in the Church and those of other faiths, Sister Dalton was optimistic.
“We have met with many government leaders and many have asked us what we have to offer for the young women in their nations,” she said. “We have stressed education, standards and virtue.” She said that when a person is virtuous they are free to do and accomplish many wonderful things.
She recounted that one leader from Africa saw the Church’s booklet, For the Strength of Youth, and asked for more copies in French. When Sister Dalton offered her four more, the government leader said, “Oh, I need boxes and boxes of this book for my country. This is what the women and young women need to help them rise up.”
Sister Dalton expressed gratitude to leaders who had preceded them and said that they had built a strong foundation for this new presidency to build upon as they served in their new assignments.