Young Women: Time of revelation
Parents, leaders: encourage young women to share feelings
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
