New Years Young Women Lesson
Intro: What Am I?
I am unused, unspotted, without blemish.
I will present each day for you to place upon it your imprint.
It remains for you to make of me what you will;
Each hour of the 365 days, I will give you 60 minutes
It is up to you to fill them.
I am the New Year.
Make me your best.
I. Reflections on the New Year by Lloyd Newell
(the Spoken Word January 1995)
In Roman mythology Janus is the god of beginnings. He is responsible for the new year. He holds sacred the first hour of the day, the first day of the month, and the first month of the year - January - which bears his name. He’s represented with two heads set back to back - one looking at the past and the other looking ahead to the future. Janus is a model of reflection and renewing.
Many people set aside sometime every January to reflect and make written lists. RESOLUTIONS. They ask themselves questions like: “What have I learned?” and “What will I do differently?”
II. Words of Wisdom
When making these list, we tend to pause a minute look to the past and learn. We learn from our mistakes and recognize the blessings. We also take time to realize how far we have come. Then we don’t linger looking back. We look to the future, excited, energized, and ready to live.
I love how we can find words of encouragement everywhere now days. Let’s look at some. Can you recognize who said it and what is their simple message?
Master Oogway: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift... that's why they call it present”.
Yoda: “Do or do not. There is no try.”
Gusteau in Ratatouille
“If you focus on what you left behind, you will never be able to see what lies ahead.”
Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
“Today is a good day to try.”
Shuri in Black Panther
“How many times do I have to teach you: just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.”
Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
“It is not our abilities that show what we truly are … it is our choices.”
Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns
“Everything is possible, even the impossible.”
_______________
President Gordon B Hinckley:
“Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know how, and the Lord will accept your effort.”
President Thomas S. Monson:
“May we remember theses ABC’s as we begin our journey in to the new year, cultivate a positive ATTITUDE, a BELIEF that we an achieve our goals and resolutions, and the COURAGE to face whatever challenges my come our way. Then the abundant life will be ours.”
I love that we have a prophet on the earth today that can guide us during these crazy times. Recently, President Nelson offered some suggestions for our list of Resolutions.
III. President Russel M. Nelson’s NY Challenge
I’m sure many of you are setting aside time today to write down your resolutions for the coming year. May I make a few suggestions?
First, resolve to strengthen your spiritual foundation. This may involve setting a specific time and place to study the scriptures, praying more often, making temple worship a bigger priority, and letting God prevail in all aspects of your life.
Second, resolve to be kind to others. When the Savior Jesus Christ visited the Americas, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, one of the first things He taught was the need to eliminate contention in our lives. So, please be compassionate, be understanding, be slow to judge, and be quick to forgive.
Third, resolve to be resolute. The Lord loves effort. The Lord loves consistency. The Lord loves steadfastness. While we surely will come up short from time to time, our persistent efforts to hear Him and follow the inspiration He gives us will help us to “wax strong in the Spirit” (Mosiah 18:26).
May God bless you, my dear friends, and may this be a wonderful year of purpose and possibilities for all of us.
IV. New Girls/Love One Another
When Christ gathered his disciples for the last supper, he was preparing them for a new chapter. He began to wash their feet and then gave them a new commandment.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
I love that some of Christ last words to his disciples before he died was about Loving One Another.
We have an amazing group of young women. We have SIX brand new girls who have joined our group. In all, we have 28 beautiful young ladies. I want to challenge you - as a new years resolution to all to be ONE!
In Mosiah 18, Alma is preaching and in verse 21, he commanded them that …"they should look forward with one eye, having … their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another."
What are some things we can do so become ONE or to have UNITY in our Young Women’s?
Unity is a spiritual quality. It’s the sweet feelings of peace and purpose that come from belonging.…It’s wanting the best for others as much as you want it for yourself.… It’s knowing that no one is out to harm you. It means you will never be lonely."
Mary N.Cook, "Remember Kindness Begins With Me", April 2011 General YW Conference
Each of you have your own special way of showing someone that you care, that is part of your INDIVIDUAL WORTH. Your differences is what makes a group of young women working together so powerful and successful in following the Savior’s example; to love one another!
In order to become one - we need to get to know each other better.
V. Dutch Present
Conclusion:
Before we open this gift, I hope you will accept my challenge to become ONE with these girls sitting next to you.
Look out for each other
Pray for each other
Serve one another
Love one another.
In this gift is something for each of you to wear. I hope you will wear them and know that 27 other girls are possibly wearing theirs too.
This little item has the same in purpose but LIKE each of YOU- they are also a little different.
I have a strong testimony that we have a living Prophet on the earth today that speaks with God daily. I know he is here to guide us and protect us. And if we listen to his words we will receive the blessings we need to get through these tough times.
President Nelson has encouraged us to:
1. strengthen your spiritual foundation - PRAY
2. to be kind to others and avoid contention - PEACE
3. to show effort - SERVE
As we CHOOSE your gift, decide which one of President Nelson’s suggestions YOU want to focus on.
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