Young Women encouraged to exercise faith

It will serve as anchor in times of challenge, LDS leaders say

Young women who have faith in God, who listen to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit in making daily choices and who witness of gospel truth will find ultimate happiness as they become examples of goodness to those within their sphere of influence.

That according to leaders of Young Women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who addressed a worldwide audience of teenage girls Saturday night at the Conference Center in a live broadcast via satellite.

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in church's First Presidency, said those in the audience were among God's brave and faithful children in the pre-mortal world who accepted Jesus Christ's gospel and are now faithful in following its precepts. Satan is aware of each who is striving to live righteously.

"He wants you never to find your way home again," preventing the influence young women may have for good on others including "thousands over the generations that will follow your path. If he can get you to wander on your journey away from the light, he can do harm and bring misery to may."

Each choice that young women make "keeps you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness. Some of the most important choices are about what you set your heart upon," including the approval of others, the need for friends and evidence of self-worth.

Choices made according to the spirit of Christ "inviteth to do good ... wherefore, ye may know with a perfect knowledge that it is of God," and things that persuade to do evil and "believe not in Christ. ... ye may know with a perfect knowledge is of the devil ... for he persuadeth no man to do good."

By faith, young women "can lay hold upon every good thing. I pray with all my heart that your faith will be increased that you are a daughter of a loving God. I testify to you that you have been one of the valiant ones to reach the point where you are now in this journey of life. Just as you are marked as a target by the enemy of righteousness, you have been protected and watched over by your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Young women must pray, ponder the word of God and know that though their trials may be severe, "you need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you and you will find it if you exercise faith.

"This is the true church of Jesus Christ. There is a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. And there are both true servants and angels to help you along the lighted path," Sister Susan W. Tanner, general president of the Young Women, said as girls "stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ," through making difficult but correct choices in the face of peer pressure, "the Holy Ghost will confirm that testimony."

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