New Curriculum beginning 2013
"Come Follow Me"


September 12, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are pleased to announce a new curriculum for Young Men and Young Women and for youth Sunday School classes. The new curriculum integrates basic gospel doctrines, as well as principles for teaching in the Savior's way that are also being introduced into the seminary curriculum. The focus is on strengthening and building faith, conversion, and testimony, using the most current teachings of the General Authorities and general auxiliary presidencies.

The curriculum initially will be available online in 23 languages, beginning in January 2013, and will replace the existing manuals. Additional information will be provided in upcoming area council, coordinating council, and local stake and ward training meetings.

We are confident the new curriculum will bless youth in their efforts to become fully converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas S. Monson
Henry B. Eyring
Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The First Presidency

Special Stake Conference Notice

Good Evening Leaders,

With the announcement of our special Stake Conference, we have postponed our Stake Youth Dance and Fireside until the New Year and will let you know once we have a date. Again, the Stake Conference is scheduled for November 18th, 10:00 a.m. at the new Provo Convention Center (220 W Center Street, Provo).

Please continue to include this announcement in your weekly Sunday meetings until week of fireside.

In addition, we will hold an Auxiliary Training for all YW Presidencies at 7pm on November 15th at the Provo Oakhill Stake Center, that's the chapel with the bell on top just NW of the Provo Temple, address is 925 E. North Temple Drive.

 Thank you!

Stake Youth Volleyball

Saturday November 3rd

Double Elimination

12:00 pm
P10 vs AF
EM12/13 vs SF

12:45pm
O8 vs Sunset
O9 vs winner of P10 vs AF

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Roster and Bishop/Branch President need to be given before your first game or you will forfeit

Oct 20th
9 am: AF vs O8, P10 vs O9
10 am: EM vs O8, AF vs P10
11 am: EM vs O9, O8 vs L41
12 pm: SF vs L41, Sunset vs L42
1 pm: L41 vs L42, SF vs Sunset

Oct 27th
9 am: L41 vs EM, L42 vs O9
10 am: L42 vs EM, L41 vs O9
11 am: P10 vs L42, Sunset vs O9
12 pm: P10 vs SF, AF vs Sunset
1 pm: AF vs SF

--------------------------------------------

Oct 13th
Noon: SF21 vs Sunset, P10 vs O8

1 pm: O9 vs AF2, L41 vs L42
2 pm: EM vs SF21, Sunset vs P10
3 pm: O8 vs O9, AF2 vs L41
4 pm: L42 vs EM, O9 vs Sunset

* EM 12 & 13 branches are combined

COACHES: Bring these items.
-Roster (signed by YOUTH & PARENTS- *youth leaders are NOT allowed to sign on behalf of a youth that is NOT your child.)
-Bishop Form (completed)
(Just a reminder for non member participation. The youth needs to be interviewed by your Bishop/Branch President.)

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING OUR YOUTH THIS FALL!!!

#Fellowship + Sportsmanship = Great YOUNG MEN/YOUNG WOMEN!!!

2013 Mutual Theme "Stand Ye in Holy Places"

A notice dated August 21, 2012, announced the 2013 Mutual theme: “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord” (Doctrine and Covenants 87:8; emphasis added).

Leaders are encouraged to use the theme to enrich Mutual opening exercises, as a topic for sacrament meeting talks by youth, and to provide focus for youth activities such as camp, youth conference, and devotionals. It may also be used to focus youth on temple worthiness, temple attendance, and family history.

The annual DVD, Strength of Youth Media 2013: Stand Ye in Holy Places, will be available online at the end of the year. These brief video segments may be used to supplement quorum meetings, classes, youth conference, and other youth activities throughout the year.

Additional resource material in support of the theme will be available in the New Era and Liahona magazines and on LDS.org at the beginning of 2013.

Young Women: Time of revelation

Parents, leaders: encourage young women to share feelings

By Sister Mary N. Cook
First counselor, Young Women general presidency

Published: Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011

General conference can be a time of great personal revelation and spiritual blessings, especially if we make general conference more than a semiannual experience. In today's world it is so important to keep young women "riveted" on the words of our prophets.
Make the most of general conference by providing opportunities for young women to share their feelings about what they learned, and how they will act upon words spoken by the Lord's servants.
Sharing what we learn invites the Spirit to confirm truths that are taught. As parents and leaders of youth we have many opportunities to encourage young women to share their thoughts and feelings about general conference — in family home evening, Sunday lessons and Mutual.

Sister Mary N. Cook, First counselor, Young Women general presidency

We have a family tradition of gathering our children and grandchildren after conference for a simple family dinner. We then have a family home evening entitled "What about It?" After being physically fed, we take the time to be spiritually fed by asking the question, "What about it?" or what are we as a family and individuals going to do as a result of listening to our leaders. Each family member is invited to share their favorite talk(s), what they learned, changes they want to make in their lives or their testimonies of what they know to be true. As a family, we have always enjoyed this tradition, but had no idea of the effect it had on our teenagers and young adults until recently. For my husband's birthday, we asked each of our children and grandchildren to identify "Life's Lessons Learned from Grandpa." We found it interesting that the most frequently mentioned lesson cited was what they learned from our semiannual "What about It?" general conference review. It's a sweet and memorable experience, where the Spirit is felt, where thoughts are shared and testimonies strengthened.

Photo by Marianne Holman

Sergio and Pamela Morales, with their children, Pamela, 13, Bibi, 11, and Israel, 9, pause on the Church Plaza in downtown Salt Lake City in between general conference sessions in October 2009.

As Young Women leaders, you could provide a similar "What about It?" experience in your Sunday lessons or at Mutual. While conference is fresh on their minds, take some time to share what they learned and felt. Invite the young women to lead discussions by asking them to come prepared to share their favorite talks, music and what they felt from the Spirit to do better or change. To give all the chance to participate, divide the young women into smaller groups, giving each time to share with each other.
What will help young women to better receive, remember and apply the words spoken by the Lord's servants? In the September 2011 issues of the Ensign and Liahona, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf suggested we consider three basic concepts as we study the words of the prophets: (See Dieter F. Uchtdorf "General Conference — No Ordinary Blessing")
1. Find answers to questions
If we have questions or problems facing us, conference takes on new meaning and the words become treasures as we study them seeking answers. Have young women identify a challenge they are facing. It could be as general as "How do I strengthen my testimony?" or as specific as "What shall I say to friends at school who are mocking me for my dress standards?" Have the young women go on a personal journey to find answers to their questions from conference addresses.
2. Identify repetitive themes
Have the young women review the talks in the Church News, Ensign, or the "sound bites" found on the Youth Website: youth.lds.org, looking for common themes, especially those relevant to youth. Have them study carefully the words of President Thomas S. Monson and identify those speakers who repeated many of his themes. For example, President Monson taught the importance of keeping the Ten Commandments and President Boyd K. Packer spoke specifically to the youth on a similar theme teaching importance of keeping the standards.
3. Point our compass in the right direction
Conference is a time to consciously make adjustments on our course and ensure our compass is pointed in the right direction. Writing down our goals and making a commitment to change is the best way to make this happen. That's exactly what Personal Progress is all about. The very first value experience, Faith #1, is a great way to start a young woman in the right direction. It states: "The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Learn about faith from the scriptures and living prophets. … Read two general conference talks on faith."
So, "What about It?" Give your family and young women multiple opportunities to share their feelings about conference, learn how the words of the prophets can bless their lives and how to act upon their learning. Following our prophets' words will point them in the direction of the temple and keep them on the path to eternal life.

Related information:
President Uchtdorf: lds.org/ensign/2011/09/general-conference-no-ordinary-blessing?lang=eng

Church News: www.ldschurchnews.com/daily-index/2011/10/08/

Youth Website: https://lds.org/youth?lang=eng

Faith #1: https://lds.org/young-women/personal-progress/faith?lang=eng

Preparing for General Conference

The 182nd General Conference begins Saturday, March 31st - Sunday, April 1st

Elder Holland: Mormonism 101

Elder Jeffrey R Holland invited to present the basic beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to law students at Harvard University

General Young Women Meeting Broadcast @ Stake Center, 6:00 PM

Reminder:

Invitation to All Young Women Leaders, Young Women, and their Mothers 

Provo UT Wasatch Stake

(Broadcast begins @ 6:00pm at the Stake Center)

2012 Meeting Invites Young Women to Arise and Shine Forth

• 24 MARCH 2012

This year’s general Young Women meeting of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held annually in March, will take place on Saturday, March 24, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. mountain daylight time.

The 2012 Mutual theme is “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (Doctrine and Covenants 115:5).

Speakers will include the Young Women general presidency—President Elaine S. Dalton, First Counselor Mary N. Cook, and Second Counselor Ann M. Dibb—as well as a member of the First Presidency.

The Young Women general presidency invites all young women, their mothers, and Young Women leaders to attend, whether in person at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, or by watching the broadcast.

The meeting will be broadcast by satellite to many areas of the world in more than 50 languages; the live meeting will be broadcast by satellite to meetinghouses worldwide and on the Internet at conference.lds.org.

It will also be available on various other cable, satellite, and Internet TV or radio stations throughout the world, including Mormon Channel HD Radio and the Mormon Channel app on Roku. Check local program listings for availability in your area, or visitmormonchannel.org, byubroadcasting.org, or ksl.com for more information.

Where possible, the First Presidency encourages meeting together in chapels to view the broadcast.

For units that do not receive satellite broadcasts, recordings of the meeting will be available through local materials management offices. Leaders should arrange to show the recording to these units.

Each year, the meeting is also archived in dozens of languages at conference.lds.org for future reference. Addresses from the general Young Women meeting will also appear in the May 2012 issue of the Ensign and Liahona magazines.

For Lesson 10: Supporting Family Members

A great resource for helping our young women realize the important impact they have in strengthening their families.

    Spring 2012 Auxiliary Leadership Training

In connection with the April 2012 general conference, the Young Women general presidency will hold training workshops for stake and ward Young Women leaders. 

Two sessions will be held each day: 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, and Thursday, March 29, in the Conference Center Theater. The content of each session will be the same.

Topics will include the implementation of the revised For the Strength of Youth, the 100th anniversary of Young Women camp, and a message from Sister Elaine S. Dalton.

This training is designed to help leaders learn their duties and to introduce resource materials. Stake, ward, and branch auxiliary presidencies are invited to participate in this optional training. 

Watch live online. The Thursday evening session will be available live online or on demand in English and Spanish at ywleadertraining.lds.org.

Love the message in this video and the great example of putting the Lord first in our lives.

Our Responsibility to Our Young Women 

BY PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINCKLEY First Counselor in the First Presidency
An edited version of an address given at a Regional Representatives’ Seminar on 1 April 1988.

Girls in the Church need opportunities to improve their skills, enhance their self-worth, broaden their knowledge of the gospel, and increase their faith. I have an anxious concern for the young women of the Church. There was a time when, in their Church activities and in their faithfulness in carrying forward those activities, they were far ahead of the young men. In many areas of the Church, that has changed. The faithfulness of the young men, as evidenced in their Church activity, has moved forward, but that of the young women generally has not. In fact, in some areas it has slipped. We are prone to put emphasis on programs for the boys. We speak much of the Aaronic Priesthood and of Scouting. They are tremendously important. I do not minimize their importance. We need to strengthen the work in that sector. But I am greatly concerned over what may be happening with the young women of the Church.

Many of them, of course, are true and wonderful. I attended a regional conference recently. The Sunday morning meeting was held in a large auditorium. On the front row, just below the stand, sat a group of beautiful girls. They were well groomed—clean and lovely. They were vivacious and bright in their appearance. They were the very epitome of all that could be hoped for in young women. Some of them had their scriptures with them. All listened attentively to the speakers, and those with their books followed the quotations cited by the speakers. It was evident that they were products of the seminary program as well as the other programs of the Church. They had risen early that morning to travel far with their parents to be at the conference. They were there because they had learned to love the Lord and to enjoy the association of the Saints. They impressed me as representing what this marvelous work is all about.

 In that magnificent vision given Moses wherein the Lord spoke of His creations, of worlds made without number, and of the majesty and wonder of His work, He declared, “Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” (Moses 1:39.) The word man as used above is generic. It includes man and woman, for, as Paul said, “Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 11:11.) I am confident that the daughters of God are as precious to Him as are His sons. They are as important a part of His eternal plan. It is obvious that there could be no continuity of the race without women. We live at a time when things are happening to women across the world. There comes to my desk periodically a magazine titled Leadership. It is published in South Africa. The most recent issue I have carries on its cover a photograph of a striking and impressive face. Beneath the picture are the words, “A New Generation of South African Women.” It is happening everywhere, some of it for good and some for ill. Strong and able women today fill responsible posts in industry, government, education, and the professions. The whole world looks with respect to Margaret Thatcher, the prime minister of Great Britain, a woman of demonstrated ability and great capacity in carrying forward a program designed to strengthen her nation and its people. We were all impressed when Golda Meir served as prime minister of Israel. It is wonderful to witness this great renaissance. I think it will continue to grow for the blessing of people everywhere.

The Church has been in the forefront in training the daughters of Zion and in giving them responsibility. We believe and have taught consistently from the earliest days of the Church that a woman’s greatest mission in life is an honorable and happy marriage with the rearing of an honorable and happy family. That means mothering and nurturing in a very real and personal way, a way that is demanding both in time and energy. But this is not inconsistent with other activities. There are tremendous responsibilities for women in the Church as well as in the community consistent with and in total harmony with marriage, motherhood, and the rearing of good and able children. It is important, therefore, that girls in the Church have opportunity for and motivation to move forward in programs designed to improve their skills, to enhance their estimation of their own self-worth, and to broaden their knowledge of the gospel with consequent increase of faith. The generations are largely cast by the mothers who produce them.The story is told that Brigham Young was once asked what he would do if he had to choose between providing education for his sons or for his daughters. He replied that he would educate his daughters because they would become the mothers of his grandchildren.

The young women of this generation not only have tremendous opportunities, but they also face terrible temptations. The pornography merchants cast their filthy lures in the direction of girls as well as boys. The exploitation of sex has become a marketable commodity employing every vile trick of the advertiser, every slick and seductive element that can be conjured up. Popularity is the siren’s song. I recently read that the use of drugs in America is increasing more rapidly among young women than among young men. It is so important that we increase our efforts to teach our young women the ways of eternal truth, to make virtue attractive and all-important, to make testimony a pearl to be sought after and worn with dignity and pride, to hold out the incomparable blessings that come from temple marriage and a wholesome, rewarding family life. Do we encourage education? By all means. Every young woman ought to be encouraged to refine her skills and increase her abilities, to broaden her knowledge and strengthen her capacity. What a tragic thing it is to see a young woman become entrapped in practices that destroy her potential and cut short her divine destiny.

I recently spoke at the funeral of a woman whose family I have known most of my life. They have been good people, honest and capable in their respective vocations. But there has been an element largely absent from their lives. They have not been active in the Church. Such activity would have added a very important dimension to their personalities and, more important, to their understanding of the eternal plan of God our Eternal Father. Their grandparents and great-grandparents were among the pioneers who laid the foundations of this work, sacrificing much, and who would have given their lives for it, if need be. But somehow that great candle of faith flickered and died in this generation—and the loss has been ever so tragic. There is a proverb that states: “As the twig is bent, so the tree is inclined.” Youth is the season to set the directions for life. And in the case of a young woman, her life will be immeasurably enhanced if she is exposed to and accepts those directions. Moreover, the posterity who follow after her will more likely be reared in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4; Enos 1:1) to their great benefit and blessing. When we save a girl, we save generations.

No one can foretell the consequences of faithfulness in the life of a young woman. It is important to emphasize the Aaronic Priesthood. It is important to encourage Scouting. But it is every bit as important to see that everything possible is done to afford every young woman in the Church an opportunity for growth and development, training and activity that will lead to faith, testimony, and virtuous and happy living. The doctrine of the Church is eternal truth. It is all-encompassing. It is beautiful and powerful.

We have programs that are carefully worked out through much prayer, study, and deliberation. The remaining ingredient is leadership. The young women of the Church need and deserve leaders and teachers of great capacity and faith to give emphasis to this tremendous work, women to whom young women can look with admiration and respect and who are examples to girls who are growing and preparing for their missions in life. These will be leaders who have in mind the happiness of young women and who understand that the future strength of the Church is at stake. Yes, it is important that the boys be faithful. It is equally important that the girls be faithful. They stand side by side before God our Eternal Father as His sons and daughters.

Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good. Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth. God will hold us accountable if we neglect His daughters. He has given us a great and compelling trust. May we be faithful to that trust.

Have I Done Any Good In the World Today?

A message from our Prophet to all of us in these Latter-days. May we have the faith to Arise and Shine Forth in this calling to serve. Yes! We Can. We love you Sisters all so very very much. The Stake YW Presidency

This year is the time for youth to live standards with exactness

Guidelines help youth qualify for companionship of Holy Ghost

By Sister Elaine S. Dalton

Young Women general president

Published: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/61946/This-year-is-the-time-for-youth-to-live-standards-with-exactness.html#

To begin the new year, a new edition of "For the Strength of Youth" has been launched. It is now available on the Internet (standards.lds.org) and booklets are being translated and printed in the coming weeks. The revision of this resource for youth, parents and leaders does not mean that the standards of worthiness and conduct for Latter-day Saints have changed; however, the world in which our young women navigate has changed dramatically. The Lord's standards will always remain the same and, as President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve has taught in a general conference address, "We do not set the standards, but we are commanded to teach them and maintain them. … However out of step we may seem, however much the standards are belittled, however much others yield, we will not yield, we cannot yield" (Boyd K. Packer, "The Standard of Truth Has Been Erected," Ensign, November 2003).

Sister Elaine S. Dalton

We are living in an ever changing and challenging world and the Lord's standards are under attack. Again, President Packer described what is happening vividly when he said, "With all that is going on in the world, with the lowering of the moral standards, …young people are being raised in enemy territory" (Boyd K. Packer, "Counsel to Youth," Ensign, November 2011).
The standards in "For the Strength of Youth" have been strengthened and clarified in an effort to assist the youth in their desire to live as the Lord would have them live and to maintain their personal worthiness. The cover of the new booklet again shows the image of the temple, the symbol for the youth of the Church. This is a reminder that everything we do in the Young Women program is a preparation for the temple.

What does this mean? It means that this year is the time for the young women and youth of the Church to live the standards with exactness. It is a call to leadership. It is time to "awake, and arise from the dust" as Moroni exhorts in his famous last words (Moroni 10:31). It is time for the youth of the Church to lead the world in living and sharing the standards, which will strengthen families and, in turn, strengthen society.
As the Young Women general president, I urge every parent, leader, grandparent, young adult, missionary and, indeed, every one of us to become familiar with the standards contained online at youth.lds.org. Please come to know the accompanying prophetic words and visual media to support living these standards. Parents and leaders of youth can help best as they study these standards and personally live them. As you do so, you will come to understand the "why" of each standard. Answering the question of "why" teaches the foundational doctrine underlying each standard. As you read, ask yourself questions. What is a standard? Why be modest? Why is wholesome media so important? Why choose good friends? Why date? Why is "self-reliance" a standard?
Often, as parents and leaders, we tend to focus on the rules. We can be much more effective if we will focus on the doctrine that answers the question of "why?" When a young woman understands the "why" and the accompanying blessings that come with living the standards, it changes not only her attitude, but her behavior (see Boyd K. Packer, "Counsel to Youth," Ensign, November 2011).
I also suggest that as leaders and parents read through this booklet and make note of how many times the Holy Ghost is mentioned. Standards are guidelines that help all of us qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. When you receive your hard copy of these standards, you might want to circle every time the Holy Ghost is mentioned and have your young women do the same. Also, make note of the promised blessings associated with living these standards and help each young woman desire to receive them.
One young woman remarked, "I would think everyone would want to live these standards just to receive the blessings. It is all I ever wanted!" Another commented, "I would think everyone would live these standards so that they can qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We are making so many critical decisions that will affect our future right now that the guidance of the Holy Ghost is not optional!" President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, has taught, "Your happiest moments, and mine, have been when someone we loved and served rose up to live the Lord's standards of worthiness and reaped blessings from it. And the saddest moment will have been when someone reaped misery from failing to rise to those standards" (Henry B. Eyring, "Standards of Worthiness," First Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, January 2003, p. 10).
Use these standards to bless the lives of the young women you are responsible to lead and guide. We hope that they will become an important part of what is taught in Sunday lessons, family home evening, Mutual lessons, and sacrament meetings. We also hope they will assist priesthood leaders as they regularly have priesthood interviews with the young women.
At the end of each standard is a question. This question can be used by a parent, leader or youth to open a discussion about the standard and promote learning. These questions can also be used in interview settings.
I believe that the standards will become a beacon for the nations in the coming days. I believe that it will be true that the nations of the earth will look to us for help and guidance.
On a visit to Cambodia several years ago, one of the government officials with whom I was meeting was very impressed with the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet. When we were about to leave the office she asked, "Where can I get more of these pamphlets translated into our language?" I answered that I happened to have four more and would be happy to give them to her. She shook her head and said, "No, no, you don't understand. I need boxes and boxes for my people."
This is a book that by its very title would be assumed that it is for the youth — and it is! But, I often want to call it "For the Strength of YOU!" It is for me, it is for you, it is for young adults, missionaries and every person who desires to live a happy and productive life — a life that leads to developing the character of Christ and qualifies us to return to His presence.
As a presidency, we are so grateful for prophets, seers and revelators who light the way. We are grateful for these two new resources to assist parents and young women in living a happy and productive life. We are grateful to the Savior, for His light and for His life. We share our witness that He will be our light as we emulate Him. And so, in the year of 2012, we will "arise and shine forth, that [our] light may be a standard for the nations" as the scripture states and that our standards may be a light to the nations! (Doctrine and Covenants 115:5). Now is the time for our valiant youth to "Arise and shine forth!"

Create - Pres. Dieter F Uchtdorf

Beautiful video segment that relates to our YW lesson this Sunday (lesson 7) "Homemaking". Happy learning and applying these incredible gospel truths. Yes! We Can!

Young Women camp provides powerful mountaintop experiences

Camp is an 'essential part' of young women growth

By Sister Elaine S. Dalton

Young Women general president

Published: Saturday, June 18, 2011

Summer signals the time for Young Women camp. For many young women, they look forward to this time all year. And, if you ask a young woman what she likes best about camp, inevitably she will reply, "All of it!" But specifically, she will reply that she loves the testimony meeting.

Sister Elaine S. Dalton.
Young Women camp is an opportunity for leaders to plant the gospel deep into hearts. It provides an opportunity to develop trusting relationships, provide spiritual experiences, teach skills, develop leadership and have fun. Camp takes a young woman out of the noise of the world. It takes her away from a very technologically connected world into nature where she can connect with her peers, her leaders and herself. Most important, camp allows each young woman to be still and connect with the Spirit and her Father in Heaven. It is a time to "be still and know" (Doctrine and Covenants 101:16).

Camp is a time when everything a young woman has been taught in her home and on Sunday can come into focus. It is a time when a young woman might offer her first kneeling prayer, or receive an answer to a problem that has worried her as she attends a morning devotional.

A young woman from the American Fork 37th Ward, American Fork Utah East Stake, studies her scriptures at camp. Sister Elaine S. Dalton said camp is a time when everything a young woman has been taught in her home and on Sunday can come into focus.

It is a time when a young woman may realize that she can do hard things as she completes her first five-mile hike or certifies on the confidence course. And, it is a time when each young woman can feel the joy that serving others brings into her life.

Young women camp is not optional. It is an essential part of a well-rounded program for young women ages 12 to 18. Camp is a catalyst for growth spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.
When we think of mountaintop experiences, we think of Nephi who said, "I … did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things" (1 Nephi 18:3).
We also think of Enos, the Brother of Jared, Joseph Smith, and many others including Moses who went to the top of a mountain or into a forest and there came to know their identity and purpose.
The scriptures teach us that when Moses came down from the mount, he was changed because of the spiritual experience he had there. His face shone. He knew he was a son of God. He knew God knew him by name. He had a basis on which to judge the counterfeit voices of the world. When confronted by Satan, Moses replied, "I will not cease to call upon God ... for his glory has been upon me, wherefore I can judge between him and thee" (Moses 1:18).

Eliza R. Snow once said, "You may talk to the [Saints] about the follies of the world … til dooms day, and it will make no impression. But … place them in a position where they will get the Holy Ghost, and that will be a sure protection from outside influences" (Woman's Exponent, 15 Sept. 1873, p. 63).
So what can each Young Women leader do to ensure that happens at camp?
First, make sure every young woman feels loved and included.

Second, make sure every young woman has the opportunity to feel and recognize the Spirit.
Third, testify often in formal and informal ways.

Fourth, have fun, the kind of fun that promotes friendships and lasting relationships.

Fifth, remember this is not about a camping program; it is about a precious young woman. It is not about camp, but conversion. It is not about certification, but what I like to call "certain-ification."

It is about gaining a testimony of the Savior and of our Heavenly Father. And, it is about each young woman coming to know, individually, that she truly is a daughter of our Heavenly Father and that He loves her.
Simply put, camp provides each young woman with an opportunity to practice patterns of gospel living away from worldly influences and the challenges they may face during their daily lives. Everything we do at camp can help a young woman draw closer to the Savior, recognize and rely on the Spirit, prepare her for her divine roles and understand her identity.

Personally, I will never forget such a moment. As we reached the peak of a high mountain in the Grand Tetons, one of the leaders in our group recited the following poem:

"I looked upon a mountain high
in grandeur rising to the sky.
And then I contemplated me,
how very small I seemed to be.
Yet, in this fragile frame of mine
God chose to house a soul divine.
Not in that glorious, sun-crowned peak,
but in this body, frail and weak.
God chose to give to you and me
the promise of eternity.
A child of His can such be small?
A soul is surely Heaven-tall.
No, the mountain stands that I might see
how greater is the soul of me" (Helen Lowrie Marshall, "The Gift of Wonder").

When young women return home from participating in camp, they will have an improved understanding of their identity and of their relationship with their Heavenly Father — an understanding similar to Moses after his experience on the mountaintop.

And as you, their leaders, return from camp with sunburned noses, muddy shoes and smelling like a camp fire, I hope each of you will feel appreciated and loved for what you are doing to bless and strengthen our Heavenly Father's daughters. And I hope that, like Moses, your faces will shine.

To all those that are seeking further education

 
LDS American Fork Resource Center
Education Expo on March 8th, March 15th and March 22nd.  

Purpose of the Expo is to make available to all those that are interested in
furthering their education, an opportunity to explore the options provided
by higher educational institutions.  


There will be 52 institutions at the Expo including; universities, colleges, technical schools, cosmetology and
flight schools. They will each have a booth with a representative to discuss programs offered at their school.  The evening will be from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.  


The locations are:
 March, 8TH--  Westlake High School, 99 North 200 West, Saratoga Spring, Ut.
March 15th -- American Fork West Stake Center, 688 W. 500 N. American Fork, Ut
March 22nd-- Highland East Stake Center, 4679 W. 11000 N. Highland, Utah


We look forward to seeing you there.


This message was sent by Lynn Horrocks at the American Fork Utah Employment
Resource Center.

Strengthening the Rising Generation

Elder Cook visits with members in Christchurch, New Zealand. When he spoke to them during a meeting, he counseled them to not only rebuild their city, but to strengthen their families as well.

Young adults, youth, and children are the future of the Church, and when Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with members in Australia and New Zealand recently, he urged parents and leaders to be careful when interacting with them.

“In the Doctrine and Covenants it talks about a principle I think is very important when we are talking about the rising generation,” Elder Cook said. He quoted section 1, verses 25–28: “And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known; and inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed; and inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; and inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time.”

Elder Cook said that parents need to make clear what is sinful and how to avoid it and that they should encourage repentance. But they should not take the “silly mistakes” of youth and treat them as enormous errors. Many mistakes and errors of youth are different than sins, Elder Cook said. “Don’t be hard on them because of the mistakes of youth.”

Negative influences on youth, such as movies, TV, social media, the Internet, and unrighteous peers, Elder Cook said, should be combatted by the positive influence of righteous parents, family home evening, prayer, scripture study, righteous peers, bishops, and counselors.

“I hope that throughout the Pacific Area we will teach people to do that. Be kind and loving to children. Help them to grow and develop in an appropriate way.”

Elder Cook counseled that bishops, other leaders, families, and friends need to rescue those among the rising generation who have lost their way, by going out and finding the missing youth and young single adults.

Follow the Prophet

“Prophets help us keep focused,” Elder Cook said during meetings with missionaries, members, and Church and community leaders in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, and in Christchurch and Auckland, New Zealand.

“Prophets are not just talking about what is happening today, but what is going to happen in the future,” Elder Cook said.

He said that the seventh President of the Church, Heber J. Grant (1856–1945), “always taught the Word of Wisdom. Then the 1960s drug culture began devastating families. President McKay taught the importance of the family in the life of children. Then California led out in adopting no-fault divorce. President Kimball taught that we must be unified as Church members. Then people of many nations began coming into the Church, leaving no room for feelings of superiority. President Hinckley, in 1998, before all this financial disaster, taught, ‘There is a portent of storm clouds ahead. … Prepare your houses for the lean years.’ President Monson is teaching us to follow the example of the Savior, reach out and rescue, and strengthen our families. These things are critical.”

“As you emphasize your faith and not your doubts, your faith will grow,” Elder Cook said. “As you seek inspiration you will receive spiritual guidance through prayer that will allow you to become who your Father in Heaven wants you to be.”

The Best You Can Be

During a meeting with missionaries serving in the Sydney Australia Mission, Elder Cook encouraged them to “be the best missionaries you can possibly be.”

“All that is near and dear to you will be blessed because you are serving this mission,” Elder Cook said. “Regardless of your success, this is the single most important thing you can do—it is a seminal experience in your life.”

For those in attendance who had not yet decided to serve a mission, Elder Cook offered three considerations: Is Jesus Christ divine? Is the Book of Mormon the word of God? Was Joseph Smith a prophet?

Elder Cook noted that knowing the answers to those questions would also affect every decision in life.

Strengthen Your Families

In Australia and New Zealand, Elder Cook also visited with members of Parliament, interfaith councils, and community leaders. In Christchurch, New Zealand, he expressed concern for those who had endured the recent earthquakes. He encouraged those in attendance to not only rebuild the quake-shaken city but also to look after and strengthen their families.

“Parents, love and look after your children,” Elder Cook said. “And couples, love and look after each other.” He gave a blessing that members would discover how to touch the lives of their loved ones and that, especially within family units, they would know how to rescue straying youth. 

Taken from http://www.lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/strengthening-the-rising-generation?lang=eng