Thousands of young women and their leaders gathered throughout the world Saturday, 26 March 2011, heard President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, declare them to be the “bright hope of the Lord’s Church.”
The annual general Young Women meeting originated from the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The presidency of the Young Women — Elaine S. Dalton, Mary N. Cook and Ann M. Dibb — also spoke at the meeting.
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President Eyring encouraged the young women to get a living testimony of the truth. “Testimony will come to you in pieces as parts of the whole truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ are confirmed.”
A testimony becomes stronger through reading and pondering the Book of Mormon, he said. “Verses you have read before will appear new to you and bring new ideas. Your testimony will grow in breadth and in depth as the Holy Ghost confirms that they are true.”
Like a growing plant, explained President Eyring, testimony must be nurtured or it will wither. “It requires the nurturing by the prayer of faith, the hungering for the word of God in scripture, and the obedience to the truth we have received.” Casual reading and studying of the scriptures is a danger to testimony.
“You must be guardians of virtue,” exclaimed general Young Women president Elaine S. Dalton.
“In a world ever growing in moral pollution, tolerance of evil, exploitation of women, and distortion of roles, you must stand guard for yourself, your family, and all those with whom you associate,” Sister Dalton said. Guarding virtue means to always be modest not only in your dress, but in your speech, your actions and your use of social media.
First counselor in the Young Women presidency, Mary N. Cook, said she learned an important lesson from a girl in her congregation recently. In a talk this young woman gave, she said, “When I make Jesus Christ the center of life, my day goes better, I’m kinder to my loved ones, and I am filled with joy.”
Sister Cook said the young woman has not escaped her challenges in life, but she understands now how the young woman maintains her happy, kind spirit; it is because has she centered her life on Jesus Christ.
Honesty and being true have been important principles in the life of Ann M. Dibb, second counselor in the Young Women presidency of the Church.
“When we are honest in all things, big and small, we experience peace of mind and a clear conscience,” said Sister Dibb. “Our relationships are enriched because they are based on trust.”
She said being true allows us to have a positive effect on the lives of others.