Who You Are: A Message To All Women

Who You Are

Lately I've been working at a new place where we sell drinks and cookies. Many of the Utahans reading this probably know what I'm talking about.  It is the absolute best place ever but with this change in jobs I've noticed a few key differences in the girls that I work with. There's about 20 other employees and we all get along with each other tremendously well... most of the time. Girls take awhile to develop a confident character without seeming boy crazy, loud, and on occasion rude without understanding. I might be the quietest girl out of the bunch but its not because I don't enjoy chatting about Katy Perry's new song or whether Miley Cyrus has literally gone crazy. Its because I learn from example and since preparing for mission is all about self improvement I choose to keep quiet and learn from God's beautiful creations.

One of the strongest impressions I've had lately is the fact that some women do not understand their vital part in God's plan. But rather they choose to fling around their divine integrity to anyone who is willing to catch it. It hurts to know that so many are wandering around aimlessly when there is a path and it leads to the Tree of Life.

There is a talk given by Pres. James E. Faust in April 2000 entitled "Womanhood: The Highest Place of Honor" and it gives a very good explanation of what I mean. (I didn't use the whole talk, only the parts that I felt enhanced my message.) 

Many years ago, during the time of President Heber J. Grant, the First Presidency wrote: “The true spirit of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives to woman the highest place of honor in human life. To maintain and to merit this high dignity she must possess those virtues which have always, and which will ever, demand the respect and love of mankind … [because] ‘a beautiful and chaste woman is the perfect workmanship of God.’”   To occupy the highest place of honor places a responsibility on young women to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all places.

One of humankind’s greatest blessings is for righteous womanhood to hold “the highest place of honor in human life” and to be “the perfect workmanship of God.”

 

I wonder if you sisters fully understand the greatness of your gifts and talents and how all of you can achieve the “highest place of honor” in the Church and in the world. One of your unique, precious, and sublime gifts is your femininity, with its natural grace, goodness, and divinity. Femininity is not just lipstick, stylish hairdos, and trendy clothes. It is the divine adornment of humanity. It finds expression in your qualities of your capacity to love, your spirituality, delicacy, radiance, sensitivity, creativity, charm, graciousness, gentleness, dignity, and quiet strength. It is manifest differently in each girl or woman, but each of you possesses it. Femininity is part of your inner beauty.

one of your particular gifts is your feminine intuition. Do not limit yourselves. As you seek to know the will of our Heavenly Father in your life and become more spiritual, you will be far more attractive, even irresistible. You can use your smiling loveliness to bless those you love and all you meet, and spread great joy. Femininity is part of the God-given divinity within each of you. It is your incomparable power and influence to do good. You can, through your supernal gifts, bless the lives of children, women, and men. Be proud of your womanhood. Enhance it. Use it to serve others.

Unfortunately, we see some very poor role models of womanhood in today’s society. We see women boxers and wrestlers as we flip through the television channels trying to find something uplifting. I believe the women of our time need to be strong, but not in that sense. In my opinion, these activities demean the nobility of womanhood. Young women need to be strong in righteousness, and, to quote your current theme, “to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places.” 

 

Standing as a witness means many things. It encompasses the way we act, how we speak, and how we dress. When you are considering a young man as a companion, you would do well to follow the advice given some years ago by President David O. McKay: He must never “attempt to take advantage of [you. If] … he shows [any] inclination to use you as a convenience or as a means of gratification, then you may [be sure] he is not prompted by love.”   It is very natural for young men and women to be attracted to each other, but they should be attracted in God-given ways rather than questionable ways, such as immodest dress. God-given attractions include your innate beauty, charm, decency, and goodness.

I pray that the Lord will bless each of you that you can come to know your individual worth and understand why “a beautiful and chaste woman is the perfect workmanship of God,” in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Our future is bright. No longer are we behind closed doors cleaning and preparing the meals. We are asked to be a part of the modern world but being asked is not nearly enough, we need to know in our hearts that our decisions, choices and actions will change the world. Life certainly won't be easy, trials always come our way. These trials might change your plans and expectations but they shouldn't alter your faith. God's will for each of us is so different, to each individual but it always relies on the same foundational principles.  Be strong women of character, not willing to compromise for a single second! And God will be by your side and that is an amazing blessing!
Who you are?
A daughter of God.

-Thanks for reading my blog!








 



 

 

TEMPLE DAY

 

Ever since I was a little girl I've had such a strong desire to go to the temple. I've never dressed immodestly or done anything that could compromise my goal because I knew that the temple was my main focus and it seemed pointless to stray for even a second. Yesterday I was finally able to enter into the temple and receive my endowment!

 

Can I just say that the gospel is true, God loves us and has given us temples to give us understanding in times of turmoil. What an unbelievable experience!! My love for the temple has definitely expanded and I cannot wait to return. My stake president has asked me to attend the temple 30 times before I go on my mission. Which seems like a daunting task considering I only have 45 days before I enter the MTC. But with the help of my family and loved ones I will do it!!

 

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Sunday. May the Lord bless you this week and fill your mind and heart with peace and comfort!

 

 

My Parents

 

My mom and my uncle.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

A Little Detour

 

This summer my family went on a vacation to California and on the way we took a little side trip to the great state of Arizona. We stopped in Gilbert, Arizona to see some family friends  from Canada. We also had a chance to meet with the sister missionaries. I had an absolutely amazing time! Out of all the wonderful places we went to my favorite part of our vacation was hanging out in  Arizona.

 

The people of Arizona are so lucky to be receiving such a beautiful new temple, here are some pictures of it. There are palm trees everywhere. My kind of town! But mostly I enjoyed the feeling of peace and comfort I got while in Arizona. I know this is where the Lord needs me to be and I cannot wait to be able to serve Heavenly Father and all His amazing children in Arizona.