Teaching our young women to be Young Women Who Know
Using Julie B. Beck's landmark talk, Mothers Who Know, the same principles that were taught to us as mothers, can be used and applied in teaching our young women to be strong in who they are right now, and prepare them for their future roles as righteous wives and mothers.
Throughout the talk, where ever you see the word "mother", you can insert the words "young women"
"The responsibility young women have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need young women who know. Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).1 However, young women need not fear. When young women know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children." (or their peers)Powerful!
*Young Women Who Know, desire to be wives and mothers someday
"Young women who know desire to be wives and mothers someday. Whereas in many cultures in the world marriage is “becoming less valued,” in the culture of the gospel we still believe in marriage and family and know that families can be together forever through the blessings of the temple.
Faithful daughters of God desire children. In the scriptures we read of Eve (see Moses 4:26), Sarah (see Genesis 17:16), Rebekah (see Genesis 24:60), and Mary (see 1 Nephi 11:13–20), who were foreordained to be mothers before children were born to them. Some women are not given the responsibility of bearing children in mortality, but just as Hannah of the Old Testament prayed fervently for her child (see 1 Samuel 1:11), the value women place on motherhood in this life and the attributes of motherhood they attain here will rise with them in the Resurrection (see D&C 130:18). Women who desire and work toward that blessing in this life are promised they will receive it for all eternity, and eternity is much, much longer than mortality. There is eternal influence and power in motherhood."
*Young Women Who Know Honor Sacred Ordinances and Covenants-
"Young women who know honor sacred ordinances and covenants.[ One way they do this is by dressing appropriately when attending sacrament meetings and other sacred places ] Young women know they are going to sacrament meeting, where covenants are renewed. These young women have made and honor baptismal covenants, and are preparing for the time when they will make temple covenants. They know that if they are not looking towards the temple, they are not looking toward desired eternal goals. These young women have influence and power.
*Young Women Who Know are Learning to be Nurturers
They know they will someday be in charge of nurturing their homes to be places where children will be raised. They are striving to learn some of those skills now, so they will be more prepared when that time comes.
*Young Women Who Know are Leaders-among their peers and in their families.
Young Women who know are leaders... They plan for missions, temple marriages, and education. They plan for prayer,and scripture study... Young Women who know, {know they are] future leaders and are the primary examples of what leaders look like. They do not abandon their plan by succumbing to social pressure and worldly models. These wise young women who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most.
*Young Women Who Know Do Less
"Young Women who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. These young women choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to [be examples of the believers in all they do] That is influence; that is power."
*Young Women Who Know Stand Strong and Immovable
" Young women who know do not give up during difficult and discouraging times. We are led by an inspired prophet of God who has called upon the young women of the Church to “stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord.” Latter-day Saint young women should be the very best in the world at [standing as witnesses] I have every confidence that our young women will do this and will come to be known as young women who “knew” (Alma 56:48).
photo courtesy of Melinda Smith Photography
