We are Beautiful

  In April 2006, President Hinckley gave a talk in the Priesthood Session of General Conference.  In it he said:
  A week ago this hall was filled with beautiful young women who are striving to live the gospel. They are generous toward one another. They seek to strengthen one another. They are a credit to their parents and the homes from which they come. They are approaching womanhood and will carry throughout their lives the ideals which presently motivate them.
   I love that quote, but even more - I love it when it is applied to you and me.  Like this (insert your name instead of the ones used):
   A week ago this hall was filled with beautiful women, like Cassidy, who are striving to live the gospel.  Amanda is generous to others.  Jane seeks to strengthen others.  Alice is a credit to her parents and the home from which she comes.  Madi is approaching womanhood and will carry througout her life the ideals which presently motivate her.
   I love applying to myself, and I hope you do too.  Here's a little breakdown of what "we are" according to President Hinckley.
    "A week ago this hall was filled with beautiful women (like you), who are striving to live the gospel."
    Ask yourself this question:
    How is beauty connected with living the gospel?
    Elaine Dalton says, "The world places so much emphasis on physical attractiveness and would have you believe that you are to look like the elusive model on the cover of a magazine. The Lord would tell you that you are each uniquely beautiful. When you are virtuous, chaste, and morally clean, your inner beauty glows in your eyes and in your face. My grandfather used to say, 'If you live close to God and His infinite grace—you won’t have to tell, it will show in your face.'"
     By living your standards, you are beautiful!
    The next part says, "(You) are generous to others.  (You) seek to strengthen others."
    This reminds of our baptismal covenants in Mosiah 18. 
    8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are ^adesirous to come into the ^bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are ^awilling to mourn with those that ^bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as ^cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the ^dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

     Next, "you are a credit to your parents and home...."

     What does it mean to credit your home?   

     In my view, it means to contribute to your home.  Follow the "Family" standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet.  Help your siblings.  Love and assist your parents.  Be an example to your family.

      Lastly -

      They are approaching womanhood and will carry throughout their lives the ideals which presently motivate them.

      -Live your standards.  Never lower your standards.  Always keep them high and let them be your motivation.-

    Love President Hinckley.  And I love what "we are."