2000
Marking My Place
March 2000


“Marking My Place,” New Era, Mar. 2000, 27

Marking My Place

I was struggling with important decisions when the Lord prompted me to read. But nothing caught my attention until I looked at the bookmark.

As I have learned the Young Women motto, “Stand for Truth and Righteousness,” and recited the Young Women theme each week, my vision of who I am has become more clear.

In John 14:6 the Savior says, “I am … the truth.” So, when we talk about standing for truth, we are also talking about representing the Savior.

A while ago, I was struggling with some decisions about whether to follow the ways of the world, or to follow my beliefs. The more popular decisions weren’t necessarily the ones my parents would have wanted me to choose. At the same time, I wanted to be accepted by my friends. Finally, I decided to pray for help to make the right decision. After pouring my heart out to the Lord, I received the answer, “Read.”

I decided I must have been imagining the answer because reading had nothing to do with my problem. I ignored the prompting and got into bed. After several minutes, I again felt, “Read.” I received this impression several times and ignored it until I finally decided to read for a few minutes. I pulled a book off the shelf and looked at a page.

My mind wandered, and I couldn’t concentrate. Finally, I decided I had been at it long enough. I looked down to close the book and realized that the bookmark I was using had the Young Women theme on it. The phrase “We will stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places” really stood out.

It was then I realized that no matter what I decided to do, my decision would have to be something Heavenly Father would approve of. Reading the theme was the answer to my prayer. I knew then why I had received the impression to read. I bowed my head in prayer once again to thank Heavenly Father for the answer and to apologize for not listening the first time.

The Young Women theme and motto are a great influence in my life. They have not only been answers to my prayers but have set guidelines for me to live by. I know they were inspired by our Heavenly Father.

Stand as a Witness

This year’s general Young Women meeting will be on March 25. The broadcast will be on the Church’s satellite system beginning at 6:00 P.M. Mountain Standard Time. Young women, their mothers, and their leaders are invited to attend.

Look for ways to involve all the girls in your class (especially if you’re in your class presidency) in watching the broadcast. Here are some suggestions:

  • Arrange rides so that everyone can attend.

  • Arrive early so that you’ll be reverently seated when the broadcast starts.

  • Get together for a meal or a treat before or after the broadcast.

  • If it’s appropriate, deliver a videotape of the broadcast with a nice note to any less-active girls in your class.

Illustrated by Sam Lawlor