In Love and Power and without Fear

My beloved sisters, I am always thrilled and greatly encouraged when I see and visit with the beautiful and devoted young women of the Church. I feel a special confidence in the future of the Church and its future families as I meet and talk with so many thousands of righteous young Latter-day Saint women all over the world.

I feel that the theme of this meeting is especially appropriate for you lovely daughters of Zion: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). Paul gives a further word of counsel to Timothy which applies to all Latter-day Saints when he added: “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Tim. 1:8).

The prophets in this dispensation have taught us that special spirits were reserved to come forth at this tSime in this last dispensation. You are among those very special spirits!

My dear sisters, please stay close to the Lord, to your parents, to your priesthood leaders, and to your leaders in the Young Women program. Because you are so precious, you will understand why we are so anxious to help you in your personal growth and development to become what you have the power to become, living your lives in love and power and without fear.

Prepare yourselves educationally. Be good students in your schools and colleges. Learn to be a good friend and a good neighbor, for this will help you be a better wife and mother. Before you fall in love with a choice young man, fall in love with the scriptures, for they will help you to prepare for the future spiritually. You will be a better friend and neighbor, a better wife and a better mother, if you have developed gospel attributes of love, purity, and meekness and gospel skills such as communicating, listening, and delegating. The Young Women program is part of the Church’s effort to help you develop all of these and become a special woman.

You will not always be young women, but you will always be women. Become special women, for you are so badly needed, and there are not enough like you in the world.

Please know, dear sisters, that the leaders of the Church love you. And even more important, know that the Lord loves you. Our Heavenly Father placed you on earth in this special time for a special purpose. I pray that he will bless you now and always, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.