LDS young women gather

The bicentennial year of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith's birth offers young members a chance to reflect on how his example and teachings can inform and strengthen their own resolve to live righteously.

That's according to leaders of the Young Women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who spoke Saturday to thousands gathered at the Conference Center and via satellite to thousands more at LDS stake centers worldwide.

President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the church's First Presidency, suggested a code of conduct for young women to follow: "You have a heritage; honor it. You will meet temptation; withstand it. You know the truth; live it. You possess a testimony; share it."

Honoring one's heritage includes obedience, honesty, respect for and communication with parents. "Avoid the silent treatment," he urged.

Joseph Smith taught by example how to withstand temptation, knowing that he was responsible to God for his actions. "Do not let your passions destroy your dreams. . . . Wickedness never was happiness," so young people must choose their friends with caution, he said.

Decisions should be made with concern for what young women will think of themselves once the action is taken, rather than what peers will think. Societal permissiveness suggests that many choose sin with seemingly no ill effect. "Don't you believe it! There is a time of reckoning," he said.

Those who know truth must live it, particularly in terms of modest dress. Leaders have noticed a growing tendency for young women to dress immodestly, he said. Acknowledging it can be difficult to find modest clothing, he emphasized that "it is possible and it is important."

Sharing testimony with others can have far-reaching effects, he said, recalling how a store clerk once told him how young women in her neighborhood reached out to her in love and kindness. As a result, she eventually joined the church. "You can reach out and rescue others your age."

Sister Susan W. Tanner , president of the general Young Women, compared Joseph Smith with the Angel Moroni, a heavenly messenger who Latter-day Saints believe tutored his young mortal charge with gospel principles. She and her counselors traveled to Palmyra, N.Y., recently to learn more about the founding of the church, and the audience viewed a video segment of each speaking from sacred sites there, talking about the events that transpired.

Sister Tanner suggested LDS youths can learn much from looking at the lessons learned by the young boy, who became a modern prophet of God. She told of his willingness to share his spiritual experiences with his family, his willingness to be tutored by repetition of true principles and his belief that his prayers would be answered.