Beauty and Worth

In H* I had the privilege in working in the Young Womens Program. I served as a counselor and an advisor over a three year period. It had a lot of challenges, but it had some tremendous rewards. Teenage years can be rough and very challenging and to see these young women develop and strengthen their testimonies of the gospel was simply amazing. I became particularly close to one young woman. Ebony was a Beehive when I was a counselor and advisor over the Beehives. She lived with her aunt, her aunt's boyfriend and many many cousins. I am not totally sure where her parents were, but they weren't raising her. Ebony is a convert to the church who heard about the gospel from missionaries who came to her house. When I was serving in Young Womens, she was quiet, but I sensed a strength from her. I was surprised by her commitment to learn the gospel and live its principles without any prodding from her guardians. She just has a sweet spirit.

For her birthday I did a photo shoot. I wish I could have done this with every young woman. I want Ebony and all of them to know how beautiful they are. I want them all to know that they are daughters of God who's worth is absolute. Nodody can change their worth. They can't change their worth! Their worth comes from being children of God and no matter what, God will always love them. The only way to true peace and happiess is to follow Jesus and his teachings. I want them to hold on to this knowledge through the tumultuous teenage years. For me, holding on to those truths is what got me through some hard, emotional times.

"Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth."

--President Hinckley, "Our Responsibility to Our Young Women", Ensign, Sept. 1988, pg 11.