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Mormon girls of today should set a good example for their peers by eschewing immodest dress, tattoos, body piercing, drugs and alcohol, by being peacemakers in their homes and by offering selfless, Christlike acts.
That was the message of Saturday evening's meeting of the church's Young Women organization for girls between 12 and 18. The annual gathering at the LDS Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City featured speeches by Young Women leaders as well as James E. Faust, second counselor in the governing First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"You are young women of great promise," Faust told the nearly 17,000 young women gathered at the Conference Center as well as thousands of others watching via satellite in Utah chapels as well as across the globe. "You have much to do in your lives. You will do great work in your homes, in the church and in the community."
Faust recounted the story of Joan of Arc, the "unlikely standard-bearer for the French Army in the Dark Ages."
Joan was a peasant girl who could neither read nor write, but she "had the light of Christ and also the courage to follow its promptings and make a difference," he said. "To other girls in the 15th century, Joan seemed to be very different. Sisters, don't be afraid to be different in our century."
Elaine S. Dalton, second counselor in the Young Women Presidency, said Mormon teens in Asia and India are examples of faith, modest dress and purity. Young women in England, Ireland, and Wales are "standing for truth and righteousness in their schools."
All Mormon young women should see themselves as daughters of God, with divine potential, said Julie B. Beck, also in the Young Women Presidency.
When Beck was in high school, a counselor discouraged her from going to college, suggesting that based on her test scores Beck would not do well there. But the future Mormon leader said she knew that God's plan for her included college and thus had the confidence necessary to enroll in and graduate from the university.
"When we know who we are and what we are supposed to do, it is easier to make important decisions about education, careers, and marriage," Beck said. "It is easier to shine our light in our families, with our friends, and in all other places."
Young Women President Susan Tanner encouraged the girls to be as kind and altruistic in their homes with parents and siblings as they are in other settings.
"Maybe some of us would rather help with hurricane relief than home relief," Tanner said. "Both are important, but home relief is our primary and eternal responsibility."
Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, who, at 95, underwent surgery in January, was present but did not speak.