For the past couple of months, I have been presenting Dove's "Real Beauty" workshops for girls. Most of the workshops I do have been for Young Women groups. In our community, religion is a very big part of our lives & because these groups are church related I felt like it was very important to incorporate quotes from LDS church leaders. I take a lot from the book "Finding the Angel Within" by Pamela Hansen. If you have not read this book, I highly suggest getting it. It is so good. All of the quotes I use are very good but the one I want to share is one by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taken from a talk he gave specifically to young women. I didn't find this one in the book but rather off of www.lds.org. (see reference below.)
"You are literally a spirit daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and an eternal destiny. That surpassing truth should be fixed deep in your sould and be fundamental to every decision you make as you grow into mature womanhood. There could never be a greater authentication of your dignity, your worth, your privileges, and your promise. Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him. Because of this divine heritage you, along with all of your spiritual sisters and brothers, have full equality in His sight and are empowered through obedience to become a rightful heir in His eternal kingdom, an "heir of God, and joint-heir with Chirst."(Rom. 8:17) Seek to comprehend the significance of these doctrines. Everything hrist taught He taught to women as well as men. Indeed, in the restored light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a woman, including a young woman, occupies a majest all her own in the divine design of the Creator. You are, as Elder James E. Talmage once phrased it, " a sanctified investiture which none shall dare profane." (Jeffrey R. Holland, "To Young Women" Ensign Nov. 2005 www.lds.org)
I don't think I need to expound any more on what Elder Holland has said. I have been ending my workshops with a song that was written by LDS singer and songwriter, Jenny Phillips called "To Become Like Him". I wanted to post a link to the whole song but can't figure out how to do that so I will just post the chorus.
"Remember you are greatest, when you walk with God
When His light is in your eyes, you are truly strong.
You don't have to prove your beauty, in the eyes of men,
You are divine within, you were sent here to become like Him."
(Click on the link below for a very moving video clip that goes along with this song.)
I think that chorus says it all. We don't have to prove our beauty to anyone because we are all daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us for who we are. I hope and pray that all young women of all faiths truly realize this & know they are beautiful!
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