FAIR's Rising Generation

Archive for September 8th, 2009

This post can be accurately described as a response to a pair of earlier posts by Christi Bialik. I was responding to her insights on the Young Women Theme, and I realized that I had written enough for a short post. Please take a look at her posts first…

Let’s Put Some Meaning Into This Chant Part 1
Let’s Put Some Meaning Into This Chant Part 2
Let’s Put Some Meaning Into This Chant Part 3

The young men in my Priest’s Quorum recite the “Purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood” so they may commit these very important responsibilities to memory. It’s a list of expectations for every young man who is an Aaronic priesthood-holder. The final responsibility on the list is to “Give proper respect to women, girls, and children.” God has charged us to be respectful towards the young women, and thus I strive to do so. To me this is a modern day call to embrace the centuries-old practice of chivalry. Knights of old vowed to protect and honor women. But why? What’s so special about young women that even God himself would tell me to respect them?

Ya know, there is an unmistakable radiance about the young women of the LDS church that young men find irresistable–even those young men what are not members of the Church. I’m bettin’ that glow we see is a reflection of the glory and goodness of Jesus Christ himself. As a young woman who is practicing the YW Values, you’re inheriting His countenance upon you. You will never go unnoticed, remember that, smile, and keep on.

While I was reading Christi’s summaries of the first four values, a definite connection stood out in my mind between them.

This connection is also true for the young men. A yw’s journey starts with a “seed of FAITH” which will lead her to a KNOWLEDGE of her DIVINE NATURE. Once a young woman knows that she is a daughter of God, she will come to understand how very important her role on Earth really is, i.e., her INDIVIDUAL WORTH.

I won’t pretend to understand women, but I’m beginning to comprehend more fully my role as a young man to honor and defend them.