COURAGE COUNTS

Each and every one of you has been told of your divinity. Every Sunday as you recite the YW theme, you are reminded of your divinity. Prophets through the ages have proclaimed this truth. So much so that you are reminded time and time again. In the last general conference, President Monson said that you were “precious, precious daughters of our Heavenly Father sent to earth at this day and time for a purpose”(Monson, Believe, Obey, and Endure, May 2012); Sister Dalton called you “elect daughters”(Elaine S. Dalton, Now is the Time to Arise and Shine Forth, May 2012); and Sister Dibb reminded you that you are “beloved daughters of Heavenly Father”(Ann M. Dibb, “Arise and Shine Forth”, May 2012). These statements are not new. They have been declared to us for as long as I can remember. In speaking of the latter-day youth, President Ezra Taft Benson said, “…for nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the second coming of the Lord…God has saved for the final inning some of His strongest…children, who will help bear the kingdom triumphantly” (Ezra Taft Benson, “In His Steps”, 1987).
            Sisters you represent some of our Heavenly Father’s strongest children. So, why is it so important for you to understand your divinity? Why am I reiterating what you have already been told, what you already know? In a recent general conference, Sister Dalton related the knowledge of identity to the story of King Louis XVI of France. She said, “As a young man, [King Louis] was kidnapped by evil men who had dethroned his father, the king. These men knew that if they could destroy him morally, he would not be heir to the throne. For six months they subjected him to every vile thing life had to offer, and yet he never yielded under pressure. This puzzled his captors, and after doing everything they could think of, they asked him why he had such great moral strength. His reply was simple. He said, ‘I cannot do what you ask, for I was born to be a king.’  Dear young women, “The world would have you believe that you are not significant—that you are out of fashion and out of touch. The world calls to you with unrelenting, noisy voices to “live it up,” “try everything,” “experiment and be happy” (Remember Who You Are, Sister Dalton, May 2010). These are tactics used by Satan to pull you away from your goal of eternal life. Elder Holland described this contest between good and evil as a “life-and-death contest”—a life-and-death contest, because eternal life it at stake (Holland, “We Are All Enlisted”, 2011). Now more than ever you must know that you were “born to be a queen”. I know that if you believe you are daughters of God, you will have the courage to “Arise and Shine Forth”, and someday be crowned with eternal life! (D&C 115:5)  
                Some of my favorite examples of courage are found in the scriptures. Daniel demonstrated courage as he chose to pray even though he knew he may face death in the process. Courage was demonstrated by Abinidi as he testified of Christ to the wicked people of King Noah, and later gave his life for that testimony. The people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi demonstrated great courage as they chose to bury their weapons of war even though they knew a Lamanite army was about to attack them. I can only imagine the courage it took as they not only laid down their lives, but allowed their loved ones to die in the act of choosing the right.  By simply participating on this trek, we are gaining an understanding of the courage that was demonstrated by the pioneers as they placed one foot in front of the other in their hopes of reaching their destination. While some completed the journey—others gave their lives’ for their testimony of the truth. We may not ever be called to give our lives’ for our testimony; however, we are commanded to be courageous.  Joshua 1:9 reads, “Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” In order to have the courage to choose the right when the moment of choice arrives, we must prepare now. Allow me to illustrate with a personal story.
     About two years ago a friend of our family passed away. Ever since then, Jacob constantly asks questions concerning death. After a while those questions turned inward, and he began asking questions concerning his death. Jacob was afraid of dying, and anything that could be a “cause” of his dying. As his mother, I felt that we needed to help Jacob in his fears. As I turned to the Lord in prayer, I felt guided in taking off the training wheels from his bike; however, whenever Jacob cried for his training wheels—I questioned my methods. One day Jacob sat beside his bike begging me to “please put back on the training wheels”. I sat down beside him, and as tenderly as possible, I made a promise that I was not going to put the training wheels back on his bike. As I spoke these words, my heart broke. Why would I willingly cause my child fear? Another time as I encouraged Jake to start peddling, he looked up at me and asked, “what if I don’t?”  Again, my heart fumbled. My mind reflected on our spiritual journey here on Earth. What if we don’t? What if we don’t follow the plan? What if? Just like I couldn’t MAKE Jake ride a bike, the Lord cannot MAKE us choose His way. Without answering his question, I silently prayed that he would, and he did. Slowly our work turned into progress, and Jake began riding his bike; however, each time he rode—he still struggled with fear. One morning as we were getting ready to ride, I felt prompted to have Jake pray. We talked about praying for help in riding his bike, and then we prayed for that help. After his prayer, I asked Jake to tell me his favorite scripture. He slowly began reciting Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid…” as soon as Jacob said those words, I stopped him and asked him to repeat the last part again. As he slowly said the words, “be not afraid”, understanding seemed to change his countenance. I then asked him to tell me the rest of the scripture, to which he concluded “for the Lord thy God is with thee” (Joshua 1:9). We set out to ride bikes with a new determination. As we started to ride, Jacob lost his courage, and started to cry out in desperation. It was at this moment that I reminded Jacob of our scripture, “Jake—be not afraid.” Remembrance flickered on his face and he began chanting, “be not afraid, be not afraid, be not afraid” (Joshua 1:9).  Jake’s bike steadied, and ever since that moment, whenever he finds he is nervous—he chants, “be not afraid, be not afraid, be not afraid”. So, why was it so important for Jake to face his fear? The old adage remains true, “When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past” (Monson, Dare to Stand Alone, 2011). As we choose to face our trials with courage now, we prepare ourselves to choose courageously when eternal life is at stake. In a recent general conference, President Monson said, “All of our choices have consequences, some of which have little or nothing to do with our eternal salvation and others of which have everything to do with it” (Monson, The Three R’s of Choice, November 2010).  Our ultimate goal is eternal salvation—in order to reach that goal, we must have the courage to remain on the Lord’s side. President George Albert Smith said, “There is a line [of demarcation] well defined between the Lord’s territory and the devil’s territory. If you will stay on the Lord’s side of the line you will be under His influence and will have no desire to do wrong; but if you cross to the devil’s side of that line one inch you are in the tempter’s power and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly because you will have lost the Spirit of the Lord” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church). I would like to reiterate a portion of this quote, “If you will stay on the Lord’s side of the line you will be under His influence and will have no desire to do wrong” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church). What an amazing promise to be given to us by a prophet of God. Sheri L. Dew said, “Very simply, our physical and spiritual safety lies in never even getting close to the line that separates light from dark, good from evil” (Sheri L. Dew, “The Lord’s Side of the Line”, 2000). If any of you have found yourself walking the line, and struggling with sin, I challenge you to courageously return—for it will take courage. If any of you find yourselves contemplating crossing the line—don’t. Choose to be courageous and stay safely on the Lord’s side.   
                In closing I would like to share one final story about the power of knowing who you are in courageously facing trials. Esther was a beautiful young Jewish girl who was chosen by the king to be queen. Haman was the chief prince in the king’s court who despised the Jews. Through deception he convinced the king that there were a certain number of people that would not obey the king’s laws and should be destroyed. He then sent letters to the governors “to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, … [on] the thirteenth day of the twelfth month” (Esther 3:13). When Esther learned of Haman’s plan, her cousin, Mordecai, asked her to go to the king and plead for the lives’ of the Jews. “Esther was at first reluctant—reminding Mordecai that it was against the law for anyone to go unbidden to the inner court of the king. Punishment by death would be the result—unless the king were to hold out his golden scepter, allowing the person to live” (Monson, May You Have Courage, April 2009).

Mordecia’s response was to the point saying: “If thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, …thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed” (Esther 4:13-14).

He then added, “Who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

To this question, Esther gathered her courage and said, “I will go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16). Esther had been reminded of who she was—she “had gathered her courage and would stand firm and immovable for that which was right” (Monson, May You Have Courage, April 2009 General Conference). Esther through courage—saved a nation.

          Dearest Young Women, You have “come to the kingdom for such a time as this” (Esther 4:13-14). It is your day! You were “born to be a queen” (Dalton, Remember Who You Are, May 2010). I challenge you to pray to know of your divinity, for I believe that if you know that you are divine, then the adversary will have no power to tempt you, because you will not be persuaded. It is my prayer that as you look to the examples of Daniel, Abinadi, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies, and the pioneers, you will have the courage to remain on the Lord’s side, and you will “ARISE AND SHINE FORTH” and be crowned with eternal life (D&C 115:5). 

 It is how we face our fears that matter.

In family scripture study I was touched by Alma’s description of the Liahona. He said, “And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day” (Alma 37:40). I love that this verse describes that it was by their faith that the Liahona worked. He then went on to say that because of their faith they were blessed with daily miracles. It caused me to consider what kind of Liahona’s are in my life today, and what kind of miracles the Lord is desiring to bless me with if I seek out the LIahona’s in my life? Alma continued to say that because “they were slothful, and forgot to exercise faith and diligence…those marvelous works ceased” (Alma 37: 42). Again, am I slothful in the things that matter most? Is God wanting to bless me, but am I refusing those blessings, because I am unwilling to seek the Lord? And finally my ponderings were answered by Alma when he said, “And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as the director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise” (Alma 37:46). Herein we are told that the scriptures are our latter-day Liahona’s, and by searching them, we will make it back into our Father’s presence and be crowned with Eternal Life. We cannot be slothful!

Elder Holland gave a talk on speaking with the tongue of angels that has profoundly touched my life. In his talk, he said that in this thing we can become perfect. Ever since his talk, I have strived for perfection in this area. This morning while I was reading in Nephi 32, I felt a greater understanding for Elder Holland’s admonition to “speak with the tongue of angels”. In verse 2 it says, “…And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?”  And then in verse 3 Nephi instructs us that we must study the scriptures in order to have this gift. He said, “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3). And finally, in verse 5 Nephi again admonishes us to “enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost” for the Holy Ghost “will show unto you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32).

Herein is a formula for speaking with the tongue of angels. First, speaking with the tongue of angels requires the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  Second, we are instructed to “feast upon the words of Christ” for the words of Christ will tell us all that we should do. We are told that if we “enter in by the way” we will receive the Holy Ghost, and that it is the Holy Ghost that tells us all that we should do. So, by feasting upon the words of Christ, we will receive the Holy Ghost, and thereby we will be prompted in our actions. By simply having the Holy Ghost as our companion (feasting on the words of Christ), we are blessed with the ability to govern our tongues and speak with the tongue of angels. In addition to our speaking, the scripture says that we will be told all that we should do. With the Holy Ghost as a companion, we can become perfected in the way that we speak and act, and by so doing we become more of what we need to become. (2 Nephi 32; emphasis added)

I have had too many experiences where I wish I could go back and do a “redo”. Although I don’t expect to ever be rid of those types of experiences, I know that if I choose to receive the Holy Ghost—those experiences will be fewer.

I feel a pull. A constant pull of becoming. Whether it is becoming a better mom, or a better person--I feel a continuous pull. Inside my head I have a checklist that goes something like this:

~Play more with my children
~Get up earlier to read scriptures
~Exercise More
~Be more patient
~Eat more vegetables
~Plan healthier meals
~Practice the piano
~Read scriptures again
~Read good books
~Read to my children
~Show more gratitude
~Be kinder to those who are unkind
~Be a better neighbor
~Be a better friend

...and it continues.

I know that the Lord is patient with me. I know that he is not expecting perfection. Somehow I need to be more patient with myself. One of my favorite songs is called "Masterpiece" by Julie De Azevedo. My internal battle is directly described through the words in this song.

Simple clay in the potter's hand,
An empty page and an author's pen...
The sculpture sees the Masterpiece that lies beneath
Though rough and marred, the Master's touch can change this life into His work of Love
So every day I pray...
He'll write His will upon my heart
Mold my soul to His design
Adding color, depth, and light
Polishing until I shine, shine, shine
My heart is in His hands
Painting the Life he would have me lead...
And in time, time, time this simple life will be a MASTERPIECE

It is the experiences in this life that will eventually create a masterpiece--some of them good, some of them not. Each of those experiences mold us into something more. They mold us to become all that He needs us to become.

I want to become what He needs of me. I love my Savior. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With all of my heart, I want to serve a mission, and declare the things I know to be true. This desire burns throughout my being. I hope for it. I long for it. I look forward to the day when I can serve a mission. In the meantime, I know I am serving a glorious mission now--the mission of raising my children, which is also key in my "becoming", and something I would never trade for future ambitions. For now, I get to testify to my children. I get to experience the wonderful Gospel through their eyes. And as I serve my family, and in my calling, the Lord is directing my process of becoming. His hand is in my life, and He is teaching me. He is guiding my experiences now, and molding me for future ambitions. And as I put my faith in Him, I am being sculpted to His design.

Just recently I was put in charge of a Stake Young Women Recognition Night. I was thrilled to be able testify of the personal progress program. As I sat to write my talk, I felt the Lord's hand, I felt His words, and I knew what He wanted me to say. He was giving me an opportunity to testify, and by so doing--I was becoming. Although I was a bit scared to speak, I was excited to share the Gospel!

The night of my talk arrived. Because of circumstances that were out of my hands, I was solely in charge of the evening. Thus, I found myself speaking, and conducting. Throughout the night, I found myself fumbling (hopefully with class). There were moments that the congregation and I shared a good chuckle at my follies. Moments when I stood too soon cutting off someone who was ready to speak, or moments when I forgot a scripture and exclaimed it to all present, or even moments where I simply forgot to do specific things that were part of my job description. I found that wearing so many "hats" was more difficult than I expected. By the time the evening was over, I felt a permanent heat on my face. After the program, one mother approached me, and with all the love in her heart said, "it was nice to see you less than perfect. It put the girls at ease, and allowed them to see they could do what was asked of them". Although I loved her compliment, I felt confirmation in my own fears of how I fumbled the night. Another dear friend said that I was "endearing". As I reflected time and time again on this experience, I found myself laughing at the "moments" of the evening, and crying at the "moments" of the evening. And then...when I felt burdened, by what I thought to be a failure, the Lord blessed me with understanding...

I was given an opportunity to "become" on so many levels. I learned about conducting, speaking, and simply doing my Father's will, and no matter how many times I fumbled--I did my best, and my best is all He expects. I was also given an opportunity to testify! The Lord has known of my desires, and He is allowing me to fulfill those desires! And because it was Him who wrote my talk, I know that He touched those who needed to be touched.

A few days after I had given the talk, I heard a compliment that astounded me, which confirmed that God is overall, and we are His instruments. Even when I do not feel that I perform to my capabilities, He is molds it to His design, and in the process--He is molding me too.

Here is my talk...His words...that I was blessed to deliver on the evening of Recognition:

“BY SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS GREAT THINGS [ARE] BROUGHT TO PASS” (ALMA 37:6).

Our ultimate goal in this life is to live worthy to receive eternal life. Elder Utchdorf in a recent talk spoke of our potential in reaching eternal life, he said, “Heavenly Father offers to you the greatest gift of all—eternal life—and the opportunity and infinite blessing of your own “happily ever after”. But such a blessing does not come without a price. It is not given simply because you desire it. It comes only through understanding who you are and what you must become in order to be worthy of such a gift” (Utchdorf, “Your Happily Ever After”, April 2010).

Our “becoming” is something we must choose. President Monson has said, “Decisions determine destiny” (CES Fireside for Young Adults, November 6, 2005, Brigham Young University). Personal Progress is a tool that guides us in our decision making process. It helps us develop daily spiritual routines.

When speaking of the Personal Progress program, Sister Dalton said, that “when you do small things consistently, they become part of who you are and they change you. It really is “by small and simple things” that “great things [are] brought to pass” (Alma 37:6).

I truly believe that when we focus our hearts on the things of eternal value, we begin our journey of greatness.
When Sister Dalton was a young woman she was given the opportunity to do just that—to focus her heart on becoming what God wanted her to become. In her words, she said, “when I was a young woman, my Young Women leaders had each of us choose a symbol that would represent the life that we would live and what we would strive to become as daughters of God. We then stitched these symbols onto our bandlos—which were fabric sashes that we wore. These bandlos were our personal banners to the world! I chose the symbol of a white rose because roses become more and more beautiful as they grow and blossom, and I chose the color white for purity…when I was called to be the Young Women general president, as I was leaving President Monson’s office, he reached over to a bouquet of white roses, took one from the vase, and handed it to me. The moment he handed me that beautiful white rose, I knew why. I went back to the time when, as a young woman, I chose the white rose as my symbol of purity—my personal banner. How did President Monson know?” (Elaine S. Dalton, “Come Let Us Go Up to the Mountain of the Lord”, April 2009).

I love the example of Sister Dalton, and how she, as a young woman, chose to “become”. A few years ago, I had an experience which reminded me of our process of becoming. It was a warm spring day, and my family and I decided to hike up the side of a mountain. The hike was more difficult than we had imagined, and my children struggled. Each of my three children needed varying degrees of help. The youngest son needed to be carried or pulled most of the time, while my middle child only needed a hand during the tougher moments. My oldest daughter seemed to traverse the mountain as long as she heard my voice shouting words of encouragement, and telling her I believed that she could accomplish this task. In an effort to reach our goal, my husband focused all of his efforts on our youngest, while I focused my efforts on our middle child. All the while we shouted words of encouragement to my oldest daughter. As we struggled up the side of this mountain, I kept promising my children great rewards if only they persevered to the top of the mountain. When our goal was finally accomplished, and we were able to look back on our progress, the rewards were sweet, and my mind marveled at how closely this experience related to our life here on Earth.

We are all on a hike. Our Father in Heaven is aware of us. He offers us help through Parents, and Leaders lending a helping hand or shouting words of encouragement, and through following the plan He has given us. By choosing to follow His plan, we choose to BECOME all that He wants us to Become. Just like Sister Dalton chose to BECOME through striving to keep herself as pure as a white rose, each of you are choosing to become by completing Personal Progress, and continuing on the pathway of personal righteousness! And just like my family hike had moments of difficulty—life too—will have moments of difficulty, but by committing ourselves to continue to live lives of personal purity, we will continue our Father’s path, and someday, we will look back on this climb, and the rewards will be sweet!

After hearing Sister Dalton’s story of personal purity, I too—chose a symbol for my life. I chose a candle and holding the candle in place—I chose a heart. My symbol reminds me to “let my light so shine”, and to “write His will upon my heart”. And just like Sister Dalton chose white for purity, I also chose colors to represent the young women values. It is my prayer that you will remember Sister Dalton’s symbol of a white rose, and that you will relate this example to your great accomplishments in completing the PP program, or if you haven’t completed your PP, to your choosing to complete it. And by so doing you will continue to pattern your life after truth and righteousness. In the Celestial Room of the temple there is a beautiful chandelier. Whenever I step into the room, I feel the light emanate into my soul. This year our theme for young women’s is to “ARISE and SHINE FORTH”. When I think of the chandelier in the temple in relationship to the light within us all, I think of our individual testimonies, and our choosing to “become”…for after all…it is truly “by small and simple things that great things are brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). I bear you my testimony of this program. I know that by following the principles within, we will prepare ourselves to enter the Lord’s temple, and eventually His Kingdom and enjoy our own “happily ever after”.