Sister Elaine Dalton, general Young Women president, recently published a book entitled A Return to Virtue. I'm working as her publicist right now and am thrilled to get to interact with her on a somewhat regular basis.
Last week, she had an interview with Deseret News, one of the larger newspapers here in Utah. I met the reporter at Sister Dalton's office and the two of us were greeted by Sister Dalton, dressed in her staple color: soft yellow. We walked into her office in the Relief Society Building on Temple Square. The office was the epitome of Sister Dalton: clean, classy, warm, and light. Again, her staple color was found all throughout the room, with little hints of light blue here and there. It was absolutely beautiful.
The photographer took a couple of pictures of Sister Dalton, then the reporter, Christine Rappleye, started with her questions. I sat quietly and watched Sister Dalton as she answered the questions—what an incredibly dignified, poised woman. She's the type of person who leaves you feeling warm and so good about yourself after she's been speaking with you. If she has the light of Christ in her, what it would be like to be around the Savior?
Two amazing things I noticed about Sister Dalton during my interactions:
1. The last few times I've seen Sister Dalton, she has been wearing a long gold chain with a few small pendants hanging off. I haven't been able to pick out what the other small things are on there, but the one that stood out the most was the Young Women medallion, proudly displayed. Some find it embarrassing or childish to wear the Young Women medallion—not her. There is absolutely no doubt that she loves the young women of the world. She sees exactly who they are and who they can and will be.
2. In a few different places in her office, Sister Dalton has the following scripture either framed or sitting on a shelf: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Phillippians 4:13). She lives that scripture. She knows she can do anything He asks of her, because He will be there helping her. Same goes for you and me.
My job sometimes gets really stressful and incredibly overwhelming, but then there are days like this when I get to rub shoulders with incredible people who teach me lessons I would have never learned anywhere else.
Elaine S. Dalton is the author of A Return to Virtue. Click here to learn more.
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Ashley Jones practices public relations for Deseret Book. She loves writing and home-made popcorn, and is a Pinterest-aholic.