Guardian of Virtue

Last night, before our little cozy-robes and smoothie-sipping date, I was lucky enough to go the the General Young Women Meeting at my church. Every year, the presidency over all of the Young Women (girls ages 12-18) speak at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City and the beautiful meeting is broadcasted all over the world. The main message surrounded one of our Thirteen Articles of Faith:

13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul--We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many thing, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Toward the end of the meeting, they played this video. It is absolutely beautiful...watching so many young women share their heartfelt testimonies gave me goosebumps (the good kind). I am so inspired by their sweet hearts, full of faith.

And here are some of my notes and thoughts I had while listening to the inspiring talks:

Mary N. Cook spoke about how Christ lived a benevolent life. And in the scriptures there are numerous examples of men and women who have strived to live benevolent lives, following the Savior's example. One is from a parable: the Good Samaritan. I need to do as the Good Samaritan did, and serve, with a benevolent heart, any one in need around me. Sister Cook said that we all have "personal longings and private dreams"...we are all unique, but we ALL seek to be loved. She gave us a challenge: over this next week we do at least one Good Samaritan act. I am going to follow any promptings to reach out to those around me, show them I care, and that Heavenly Father loves them. I am excited to see what opportunities I will have to serve...

Next, Elaine S. Dalton shared with us a beautiful and insightful message of being a guardian of virtue...she encouraged all of the young women to be a protector and defender of moral purity. How can we guard virtue?? She adviced the girls, and mothers and leaders, to make a list of do's and don'ts...then live that list. Near the end, Sister Dalton reminded us of the touching verse in Proverbs 31, and said these lovely words:

"I am a guardian of something more precious than rubies."

How true that is.

And lastly, President Henry B. Eyring shared his testimony and knowledge of God's love for him, and of God's love for each of His daughters. I felt the spirit so strongly when he testified that our Heavenly Father has a bright future for each one of us...and by knowing that, our daily, hourly, and by-the-minute choices will be more sincere and be more Christ-like...our lives will be filled with more joy than we can comprehend.

I am so grateful for such inspired women and men that serve in our church. And especially for a loving Heavenly Father who wants His children to come to His Son, and live lives of virtue. The Young Women's program is amazing and I'm so blessed to be apart of it!

You can watch the full Conference address here :)