~NEW BEGINNINGS~
For the last few years, I have been the Young Women's President in my ward. I feel so blessed to be able to learn from our Heavenly Father's precious daughters. Part of that blessing is being able to share in memories like "New Beginnings".
This year for New Beginnings we centered our thoughts around Elder Utchdorf's talk, "Your Happily Ever After". We opened the evening by showing a video clip with the girl's pictures in conjunction with pieces of Elder Utchdorf's talk. It was a Mormon Message made specially for our YW. We then had each YW introduce each value of the Personal Progress program. We had different ways of introducing each value. Some were introduced through music, and some were introduced by the YW sharing personal experience-each value was demonstrated as a point on a map directing the YW to Eternal Life. (In Elder Utchdorf's talk, he refers often to the "map" Heavenly Father has given us to follow.) As the YW would introduce a value, a map was projected, and each value was highlighted. The spirit was strong as the YW bore testimony, and explained the YW program to the new YW. All the while, the underlining theme was Elder Utchdorf's talk, "Your Happily Ever After".
The evening was truly inspiring. The spirit was present. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn and grow along with these precious YW. I know that Heavenly Father loves them, and wants what is best for them--He love us all, and because He does--he gives us direction through His apostles. Elder Utchdorf's words reached to the very core of these young girls. He explained that our "once upon a time" is now, and it is our privilege to write the stories of our lives--we choose our own path! He said, "'happily ever after' is not something found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father's map."
Heavenly Father has given the youth tools that will help them follow His plan or His "map". He has given the young women the Personal Progress program, and the young men the Duty to God program. He has given the young men and the young women a booklet of standards called, "For the Strength of Youth". I know that if the youth of the church, and even the adults of the church will follow these guidelines, we will be blessed, and we will someday see our Father in Heaven, and it will be the ending of a great chapter and the beginning of our "HAPPILY EVER AFTER"!
For the last few years, I have been the Young Women's President in my ward. I feel so blessed to be able to learn from our Heavenly Father's precious daughters. Part of that blessing is being able to share in memories like "New Beginnings".
This year for New Beginnings we centered our thoughts around Elder Utchdorf's talk, "Your Happily Ever After". We opened the evening by showing a video clip with the girl's pictures in conjunction with pieces of Elder Utchdorf's talk. It was a Mormon Message made specially for our YW. We then had each YW introduce each value of the Personal Progress program. We had different ways of introducing each value. Some were introduced through music, and some were introduced by the YW sharing personal experience-each value was demonstrated as a point on a map directing the YW to Eternal Life. (In Elder Utchdorf's talk, he refers often to the "map" Heavenly Father has given us to follow.) As the YW would introduce a value, a map was projected, and each value was highlighted. The spirit was strong as the YW bore testimony, and explained the YW program to the new YW. All the while, the underlining theme was Elder Utchdorf's talk, "Your Happily Ever After".
The evening was truly inspiring. The spirit was present. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn and grow along with these precious YW. I know that Heavenly Father loves them, and wants what is best for them--He love us all, and because He does--he gives us direction through His apostles. Elder Utchdorf's words reached to the very core of these young girls. He explained that our "once upon a time" is now, and it is our privilege to write the stories of our lives--we choose our own path! He said, "'happily ever after' is not something found only in fairy tales. You can have it! It is available for you! But you must follow your Heavenly Father's map."
Heavenly Father has given the youth tools that will help them follow His plan or His "map". He has given the young women the Personal Progress program, and the young men the Duty to God program. He has given the young men and the young women a booklet of standards called, "For the Strength of Youth". I know that if the youth of the church, and even the adults of the church will follow these guidelines, we will be blessed, and we will someday see our Father in Heaven, and it will be the ending of a great chapter and the beginning of our "HAPPILY EVER AFTER"!
Each young woman received a journal to remind them that right now is their "once upon a time", and they are writing their own stories to reach their "happily ever after".
Leader's and YW singing, "Live Like You Believe" by Jenny Phillips. 
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