Thursday, November 19, 2009

Visit from Sister Elaine S. Dalton


Saturday November 14th leadership training was a great meeting, the spirit was strong and Sister Daltons love for the young women in the church was very evident.

Here are some random notes from the meeting. Feel free to comment on your favorite parts or what inspired you during the meetings.

"When I travel and meet with YW leaders around the world I feel like I am going to family reunions"
"Thank You! Thank You! for all that you do" (she must have said this at least 10 times)
Personal Progress is also for Mothers and others to take part in

"YW women are investigators of the church, some are converts, but most will be investigating for 6 years"

She asked the question "What were you specifically called to do?"

"Please remind the YW that the Savior loves them"

"You are unstopable when you enable the spirit in your life"

"If you want to keep a secret put it in the handbook" (she was kidding in the sense that we need to use the handbook more!"

"drop all the fluff!"
"Don't waste time discussing the colors of napkins in a meeting"
"get you own homes in order so that you will have the time and energy to serve in YW"

How to stay intune - Pray, be obedient, have strong values, attend the temple, have faith, encourage youth to share their testimony more than one time a year at girls camp.

100% invitation to do three things everyday.
1. pray morning and night
2. read the book of Mormon 5 min every day
3. smile every day. (she joked not 100% of the time or people may be specious and that she has never seen a grouchy person with the spirit)


It is not a bad thing to have problems with the YW or the organization this is how we learn and grow.

Most personal revelations come in the form of a question. She encouraged over and over to ask more questions in lessons and less lecturing. Let the girls do the thinking and the talking.

She talked about the difference between power of women in the world and women in the church. Our belief of power is to be pure and feminine. One righteous sister can change the world.

The new Personal Progress books will be pink to remind the YW of their feminine nature. (they should be here by January)

There is a new Brand New Year video out that will be used to introduce the theme.

There is a new program for girls that have finished their personal progress to continue working and helping other girls to work on theirs. (more on this to come) She strongly encouraged the leaders to work on the PP program and for sure to do the value of Virtue. It involves 3-4 activities and reading the Book of Mormon in its entirety.

She reminded us as leaders to live an obedient and virtuous life and to lead by example. Don't ask what you are not willing to do yourself.

Our vision as young women leaders is to help prepare each young woman to be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and to receive the ordinances of the temple.

Sister Dalton is in tune with what goes on with the YW and what they are up against. She would love for us all to remember who we are. "Daughters of God"