Congratulations Marseille! The first champion.
Congratulations to Marseille, who became our first Breakfast of Champions champion last week when she finished reading all of the talks from the April 2009 conference. We still have a couple of weeks until the October General Conference. We don't want Marseille to have to eat her breakfast alone!
May You Have Courage - President Thomas S. Monson yw
President Monson started off by talking about some of the differences between his era and the current. He the said:
Although this is a remarkable period when opportunities abound, you also face challenges which are unique to this time. For instance, the very technological tools I have mentioned provide opportunities for the adversary to tempt you and to ensnare you in his web of deceit, thereby hoping to take possession of your destiny.
So, Satan has changed his goal. It is still to ensnare us and "take possession of our destiny." But he has added to his methods.
As I contemplate all that you face in the world today, one word comes to mind. That attribute is courage. . . the courage you will need in three aspects of your lives:
Although this is a remarkable period when opportunities abound, you also face challenges which are unique to this time. For instance, the very technological tools I have mentioned provide opportunities for the adversary to tempt you and to ensnare you in his web of deceit, thereby hoping to take possession of your destiny.
So, Satan has changed his goal. It is still to ensnare us and "take possession of our destiny." But he has added to his methods.
As I contemplate all that you face in the world today, one word comes to mind. That attribute is courage. . . the courage you will need in three aspects of your lives:
- First, the courage to refrain from judging others;
- Second, the courage to be chaste and virtuous; and
- Third, the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness.
You don't usually associate the word courage with these challenges, but it will take courage to do them correctly. I was also impressed that the prophet takes time to "contemplate" on our behalf and then share with us.
About the courage to refrain from judging others, President Monson quoted The Savior:
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
He then quoted Mother Teresa:
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
These are two great thoughts about how we should act towards others, especially our inner thoughts about them.
President Monson then added: True love can alter human lives and change human nature.
This is especially good counsel in light of the various ways that men and governments try to change human nature.
On the second point of being courageous in virtue and chastity, President Monson cited the prophet Isaiah: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.
Then, after relating the story of Esther, he said:
You will probably not be called upon to put your life on the line, as did Esther, for that which you believe. You will, however, most likely find yourself in situations where great courage will be required as you stand firm for truth and righteousness.
I like that connection between the Old Testament story and a modern, attainable application.
President Monson closes with a prayer to the Young Women. He also describes what we need to do to be "examples" to others rather than just a "peculiar people". It seems like it is time for the members of the church to move out of the "peculiar people" mode and become examples of Christ-like living.
My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. As you do so, you will be "an example of the believers," (1 Timothy 4:12) and your life will be filled with love and peace and joy.
A wonderful promise for a prophet.
Come Let Us Go Up to the Mountain of the Lord - Sister Elaine S. Dalton yw
A virtuous returned missionary is attracted to a virtuous young man - one who has a testimony of Jesus Christ and is committed to a life of purity.
Great and true advise to young women and young adult women; and young men and returned missionaries. It goes both ways.
The value of virtue has been given a symbolic color, like the other values. The color of virtue is gold because gold is pure. It shines. It is soft, not harsh or brash. It is precious. Gold must be refined. As you live a pure and virtuous life, you will be refined by your life's experiences, and as you "trust in the Lord" and draw closer to Him, He will "make [your] hearts as gold.
Gold is pretty yes, but it is much more than just that.
In a world filled with relative truth, the Lord's standards are absolute. They are given to each of us to keep us on the path leading back to the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
This is a good definition of why we have, and need, standards.
Because of the knowledge of our divine identity, everything must be different for us: our dress, our language, our priorities, and our focus. We must not seek guidance from the world . . .
This is great counsel, not just for the young women, but all youth and adults.
We must know and realize that, just as Winston Churchill said in a critical hour during World War II, "to every man [and young woman] there comes . . . that special moment when [they are] figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unique to [them] . . . What a tragedy if that moment finds [them] unprepared or unqualified for [that] which [could have been their] finest hour.
This sounds like a "call to action" for us all, to be prepared to make this "our finest hour."
Great and true advise to young women and young adult women; and young men and returned missionaries. It goes both ways.
The value of virtue has been given a symbolic color, like the other values. The color of virtue is gold because gold is pure. It shines. It is soft, not harsh or brash. It is precious. Gold must be refined. As you live a pure and virtuous life, you will be refined by your life's experiences, and as you "trust in the Lord" and draw closer to Him, He will "make [your] hearts as gold.
Gold is pretty yes, but it is much more than just that.
In a world filled with relative truth, the Lord's standards are absolute. They are given to each of us to keep us on the path leading back to the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
This is a good definition of why we have, and need, standards.
Because of the knowledge of our divine identity, everything must be different for us: our dress, our language, our priorities, and our focus. We must not seek guidance from the world . . .
This is great counsel, not just for the young women, but all youth and adults.
We must know and realize that, just as Winston Churchill said in a critical hour during World War II, "to every man [and young woman] there comes . . . that special moment when [they are] figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a special thing unique to [them] . . . What a tragedy if that moment finds [them] unprepared or unqualified for [that] which [could have been their] finest hour.
This sounds like a "call to action" for us all, to be prepared to make this "our finest hour."
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