What an honor to be a part of history in the making as the first group of women ages 8 and up to participate in women conference.
Several months ago I had the opportunity of participating in the choir that performed at the General Women’s Conference held in Salt Lake City back in March 2014. This was a groundbreaking year as the Eight-year-old girls were officially invited to attend. There were over 12,000 applications sent in for a choir of only 364 sisters. The church was unsure how they would go through that many applications, so they knelt in prayer asking that their fingers be led to those who are in need of this experience. This meeting was broadcast across the world and much preparation and time went into every detail. From our clothing to our lipstick color, everything was closely inspected with care. Each Sunday, for six weeks my daughter Winnter and I drove to Centerville for choir rehearsals. Those long drives became a time of giggling and bonding for us both. We were privileged to meet and visit with each member of the Primary, Young Women and Relief Society general presidencies. During one choir practice we were rehearsing a song entitled “Daughters in His Kingdom.” This song was broken up into three parts. First part was sung by the primary aged girls, second part sung by the young women and the third part, sung by the relief society sisters.
(On our long drives we had great Mother daughter bonding time. On one drive My daughter told me all about her dream first date. It consists of sushi, sodalicious, a drive-in movie and her date must have a mustache)
At this point in time we had been rehearsing for weeks and the young women were still struggling with their part in this particular song. I recall Sister Wadley, our choir director, asking the girls to “Give it all they’ve got.” Despite her effort they continued to struggle. They knew the lyrics but they were struggling to sing with conviction. After twenty minutes of the girls struggling, Sister Wadley, clearly frustrated stood firm and strong. She asked the young women to please stand. They did. She then asked them to recite the young women theme: “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are: Faith • Divine Nature • Individual Worth • Knowledge • Choice and Accountability • Good Works • Integrity • and Virtue We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.”
(You might recognize Sister Wadley from 17 miracles. she was incredible to work with. I love her energy)
By the time the girls finished reciting the young women theme the spirit had completely flooded the room. There wasn’t a dry eye in the chapel. Sister Wadley, then again asked the Young Women to stand and sing. When they opened their mouths it was as if there were hundreds of angles singing with them. They stood tall and strong, singing with heart and conviction, knowing in that moment exactly who they are and what they stand for. This experience caused me to think.... As a mother, am I encouraging my children to “Give it all they’ve got.” Am I cheering them on. My goal as a Mother is to help my kids know that they are spirit children of God with divine attributes and eternal possibilities. Ultimately, I want them to know they are ENOUGH!
This experience was one of those Anchor moments. Those moments that strengthen you as a person. As I look back over my life I'm in awe of all the little anchor moments that have made my testimony what it is today.
