Discussion Questions:
- Why is it important for you to marry a worthy priesthood holder?
- What are some ways you can encourage young men to honor the priesthood?
Excerpt from "Together in Righteousness" by Ardeth G. Kapp:
We are well acquainted with the duties and responsibilities of Aaronic Priesthood young men. But what of young women? What is their calling? A prophet has said, “To be a righteous [young] woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” Ensign, Nov. 1978, p. 103).
Young women, how can you use your influence in this calling? How can you use it in righteousness? Let me tell you what one young woman did. Following her decision to take a stand for truth and righteousness in a very difficult situation, she received a letter from an older friend. The letter reads: “I just wanted to apologize for last night. I was proud to see you holding your standards and not just going along with the crowd which is so easy to do. I want you to know that you made me think twice and reevaluate my own standards on immoral R-rated movies. Your example has made me want to try harder in listening to the counsel of Church leaders on this matter. I’m sure the Lord is proud of you. Thank you for your friendship.”
Your age is not a limitation. You have a significant calling. Each young woman, magnifying her calling to become a righteous woman, as this one did, will help thwart the powers of the adversary, deter the proliferation of pornography, and guard against immorality. Your righteous influence can affect many things—the degree of love and harmony in your home, the number of young people proclaiming the gospel, the behavior of a friend, the atmosphere in your classroom.
Elder Russell M. Nelson has said to young women of every age, “Your powerful influence for good is needed today as never before. A righteous young woman’s influence is great” (“Daughters of Zion,” New Era, YW Nov. 1985, p. 9).
How do you prepare, as a prophet has said, to be ten times more influential than you might be in more peaceful times? (See Spencer W. Kimball, “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters,” Ensign, Nov. 1978, p. 103.) Your preparation comes as you learn who you are and what you are to do. The Young Women Values introduced last November will guide you in this preparation. To the question “Who am I?” the values of faith, divine nature, and individual worth teach you that you are a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves you. You have inherited divine qualities. You are of infinite worth with your own divine mission.
To the question “What am I to do?” the values of knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, and integrity will help guide you. As you continually seek opportunities for learning and growth, you will increase your knowledge and testimony of the gospel. You will be strengthened in your desire always to choose good over evil and to accept responsibility for your choices. You will learn to nurture others and play a major part in building the kingdom of God through your righteous service beginning within your own family. And finally, you will develop the moral courage to make your actions always consistent with your knowledge of right and wrong, allowing you to stand as a witness for Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9).
Study the Young Women Values with their scripture references. They will help prepare you to exert a righteous influence. Study the gospel principles they express and apply them. Use the values as a guide to live by each day. As you do this, the Lord will strengthen you, and his Spirit will bring a marvelous awakening within you. You will begin to understand what it means to become a “light in the Lord” and to “walk as children of light” (see Eph. 5:8–9).
*To read the full talk, click here.