Who is Elaine Dalton and why in all the big world should I be so grateful for her?
Elaine Dalton is a leader in the LDS church. She is specifically the world-wide leader for the young women of the church, girls 12-18. Her title is General Young Women's President. Considering that the Mormon church now has over 10 million members throughout the world, her position is very respected. Yesterday I was able to meet and talk one-on-one with her for just a few moments, which was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Last night was a YW program for a congregation nearby (but not the one I attend weekly). The program is called Young Women in Excellence, where the young women's accomplishments for the year are reviewed and praised. Sister Dalton attended and spoke at this intimate meeting. There were only about 25 people there. It was an opportunity that I wish every young woman and leader could have. But because not everyone does, I want to share my feelings about the experience.
As she bore personal witness to the prophetic calling of President Thomas S. Monson I felt the quiet yet very powerful peace of the Holy Ghost. She shared personal experiences she has had with President Monson that witness to her that his calling is from God. The work she does allows her to be with President Monson often and so her testimony of his calling is special. Hearing her express this belief made my own belief stronger.
When Sister Dalton spoke of the greatness of the young women, of the wonderful program of personal progress that God has provided for them my heart was pricked. Although she never spoke specifically about mothering, I felt inspired to be a better mother. But not in a guilt inducing way. I felt that I am doing a good job as a mother, but I can do better, and now is the time. It invigorated me to improve in several ways.
I need to help my daughter complete her personal progress goals. Yesterday I gained a greater understanding and spiritual confirmation that this program is not just good, but can be a source of strength to young women. This program is from God, it is NOT just a cute program, with nice ideas to keep teenage girls busy. It is God's way of leading youth through the troubled times in which we live. It is not a waste of time, or a pursuit of meaningless goals. It has the potential to change lives and alter the course of a young women's life - setting her on the path of success and faithfulness. My goal is to talk to my daughter each Sunday about her goals and do what I can to help her accomplish them.
Another aspect in which I felt inspired to improve is in caring for the appearance of my home. I have not been able to keep a spotless home because of my health issues, but I haven't made the efforts I should either. And this isn't just about the house being clean, it is about providing an atmosphere in which my children feel loved, cherished, even royal.
The decor and spirit of the event last night went hand in hand. Sister Dalton praised the leaders for the efforts they expended for the young women, that it expresses their love to the girls they serve. (The leaders made black silhouettes of each girl with an oval white mat and gold frame, these were hung on two gold wire trees, in between which was a B&W picture of the temple. There was a nicely framed B&W version of the YW theme as well as papercut silhouettes of temple scenes. The tablecloths were B&W in a damask pattern with gold accents. There were chair covers for the YW's chairs, and a pennant with the YW torch symbol in gold representing each YW. BEAUTIFUL!)
This made me realize that what I do to make my home a nice place to be shows my love for my family. I recently heard that if we display children's artwork and portraits in our homes it shows them that they are highly valued. I haven't taken the time to display these things, although I value them very much. What I do to make my home special doesn't have to take a lot of money, or necessarily even time, but I do have to exert some effort and realize that it does have important meaning. Instead of recognizing this in the past I have discounted it as worldliness. There is a happy medium between the two. So this morning I made myself clean before I sat in this chair at the computer. If I were to do this every free morning, it would go a long way towards improving our home.
I want to share a scripture that Sister Dalton read to the young women. I've read this scripture many times but never did I think about it in the way I did last night.
And again I would exhort you that ye would acome unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good bgift, and ctouch not the evil gift, nor the dunclean thing.
And aawake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of bZion; and cstrengthen thy dstakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest eno more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.
Yea, acome unto Christ, and be bperfected in him, and cdeny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and dlove God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
Moroni 10:30-32
I won't share specifically what this scripture meant to me last night, I feel that is too personal for a blog entry. But I hope that as you read it something stood out to you also. The scriptures are a never-ending blessing.
When I had a moment to speak with Sister Dalton she praised me for wearing my Young Women Recognition pendant. Hers was strung on a long beautiful gold and pearl necklace. She spoke of the changes in the personal progress program (adding virtue as a value) and the new, soon to be released, personal progress booklet. The changes they are making helps me feel that our leaders do understand the challenges we are facing, and that God is inspiring them with ways to help us and our children.
Sister Elaine Dalton is a wonderful example to me as a mother and leader. She has a special testimony to share and I was blessed to hear it. I will also be taught by Sister Dalton and other leaders this afternoon. What an opportunity. I know that in receiving this special opportunity I am obligated by the Holy Ghost, who bore witness to me, that I need to share my testimony of this experience with others.
Sister Elaine Dalton is called of God and serves him in a humble yet powerful way. I am so grateful for her influence today.