See A Pearl Farm in China by The Pearl Girls

The birth of a pearl
Is a miraculous thing

From an oyster to unfurl

A grain, a treasure to be

See the pearl shimmer 

with a soft inner glow

Unlike any other gem 

the earth holds to show

Iridescent 

With a luster of white

See it reflect and refract 

All the colors of light

See the Young Women

Inwardly aglow

Each prized in heaven

With beauty to grow

Her luster of virtue

From being washed clean

Is bright for the future

Like celestial crystalline

[Verse 1] The birth of a pearl Is a miraculous thing From an oyster to unfurl A grain, a treasure to be See the pearl shimmer with a soft inner glow Unlike any other gem the earth holds to show [Pre-Chorus] Iridescent With a luster of white See it reflect and refract All the colors of light [Chorus] Inwardly aglow Inwardly aglow Each prized in heaven Each one made to grow Inwardly aglow Inwardly aglow Beauty to become Bright for the road [Verse 2] See the Young Women Inwardly aglow Each prized in heaven With beauty to grow Her luster of virtue From being washed clean Is bright for the future Like celestial crystalline [Chorus] Inwardly aglow Inwardly aglow Each prized in heaven Each one made to grow Inwardly aglow Inwardly aglow Beauty to become Bright for the road [Bridge] From grain to glory From hidden to shown What was once buried Becomes a holy stone [Final Chorus] Inwardly aglow Inwardly aglow Each prized in heaven Each one made to grow Inwardly aglow Inwardly aglow Beauty to become Bright for the road

The birth of a pearl is truly a miraculous event. Unlike gemstones or precious metals that must be mined from the earth, pearls are grown by live oysters far below the surface of the sea. Gemstones must be cut and polished to bring out their beauty. But pearls need no such treatment to reveal their loveliness. They are born from oysters complete -- with a shimmering iridescence, lustre and soft inner glow unlike any other gem on earth.

A natural pearl begins its life as a foreign object, such as a parasite or piece of shell that accidentally lodges itself in an oyster's soft inner body where it cannot be expelled. To ease this irritant, the oyster's body takes defensive action. The oyster begins to secrete a smooth, hard crystalline substance around the irritant in order to protect itself. This substance is called "nacre." As long as the irritant remains within its body, the oyster will continue to secrete nacre around it, layer upon layer. Over time, the irritant will be completely encased by the silky crystalline coatings. And the result, ultimately, is the lovely and lustrous gem called a pearl.

How something so wondrous emerges from an oyster's way of protecting itself is one of nature's loveliest surprises. For the nacre is not just a soothing substance. It is composed of microscopic crystals of calcium carbonate, aligned perfectly with one another, so that light passing along the axis of one crystal is reflected and refracted by another to produce a rainbow of light and color.

Cultured pearls share the same properties as natural pearls. Oysters form cultured pearls in an almost identical fashion. The only difference is a person carefully implants the irritant in the oyster, rather than leaving it to chance. We then step aside and let nature create its miracle.

http://www.americanpearl.com/historyoyster.html

Your Holy Places

A holy place can be a state of mind or position

A conviction for standing well, no matter the condition

Your holy places are those moments when the spirit speaks to you

Where you ignore other's comments, as you know what to do

A holy place is a word

An action or a deed

Where the Holy Ghost is heard

To fulfill well a need

You can create and stand

Where holiness is found

Where there's light to understand

Instruction that's profound

Face the Gale Force Winds

Face the gale force winds
That stand in your way.
Be not one who bends
From truth, do not sway.

Be NOT moved
Elaine S. Dalton

Kristina Follower of Christ

Young Kristina stood
And looked out to sea.
She well understood
 Her destiny.

It was very hard, knowing
She had to leave her family
Midst opposition blowing
But, for Zion she left happily.



Kristina, the name
Means , "Follower of Christ"
All alone, she came
Following His light.

First, she crossed the ocean
Then trekked the wilderness;
Out of pure devotion
For Zion, to witness.

Be NOT Moved
Elaine S. Dalton
May Ensign, 2013
 The original life-sized sculpture of Kristina stands on a pier in Copenhagen, Denmark

The Bride, Braids, and Oil

A woman of virtue, soon to be wed
Sat by a small lamp braiding her hair
And while weaving, entranced she said,
"Past. Present. Future."... all three to share

The lamp was ancient and called for oil
Of which she received a drop at a time
For the groom to be was the Lord, royal
And only in goodness can the lamp shine!

When You Save a Girl, You Save Generations
http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/when-you-save-a-...
Home. LDS.org · Broadcasts; When You Save a Girl, You Save Generations ... It is an honor for me to address the valiant young women of the Church. ... Megan explained that the braid represented the weaving of this young woman's virtuous life .... may be woven into the lives of many generations—past, present, and future.   Mary N. Cook  

[Verse 1] She sits by the glow of a flickering flame Fingers in threads of her long dark hair Softly she murmurs each secret name Past, present, future, laid open there Dust on the table, a dress on the chair Hope in the hem and a prayer in the seam A ring in a box that is still mostly air But she holds it already, inside a dream [Chorus] Lamp of the bride Give me enough for tonight Just one drop of oil And a little more light For the groom to be is royal Every goodness is Your fire Let my heart burn clean and loyal Set the wick of my desire [Verse 2] Ancient the lamp with its scar on the side Passed down in whispers from hand to hand “Guard what is given,” her mother once cried “Grace never lingers where shadows stand” So she gathers her kindness like kernels of grain Stores it in jars for the famine and feast Braids every mercy through joy and through pain Keeps watch at the window facing east [Chorus] Lamp of the bride Give me enough for tonight Just one drop of oil And a little more light For the groom to be is royal Every goodness is Your fire Let my heart burn clean and loyal Set the wick of my desire [Bridge] Past What is broken, You made whole Present You are breathing in my soul Future I will follow when You call All three to share Or nothing at all (oh) [Chorus] Lamp of the bride Give me enough for tonight Just one drop of oil Till the dawn cuts the sky bright For the groom to be is royal Every goodness is Your fire Let my love stay true and loyal Till I walk into Your choir

He Knows! Heavenly Father Knows Who We Are!

Our Father in Heaven knows who we are.
Where we have been and where we are going.
From Him, our hopes and dreams are never far
and through prayer,  He will assist our growing!

1. To Young Women - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

   www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/10/to-young-women?lang=eng‎
   

   
   

   Jeffrey R. Holland ... Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows yourcircumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, includingyour fears and frustrations. ... For you to fully claim Heavenly Father's blessings and protection, we ask you to stay true to the standards of the gospel of Jesus ...

I am His daughter

See the daughters
Of God on high
Virtue matters
And here is why

There is a light
Shone in their eyes
When all is right
It never lies

You Are Beautiful - Grantsville West Stake (One Direction Lip Dub)

You light up the room
With what lies within
You are beautiful
Because of who you've been

Pass It On- Rise Up

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/2012-theme-song?lang=eng

Pass it on
Rise up
Greet the dawn
With love!

I love it when the young women come to Relief Society and we recite the Young Women Values and then they say this years scripture...“Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (Doctrine and Covenants 115:5).
seminary music mp3
http://www.lds.org/cm/display/0,17631,6611-1,00.html

A Queen of the Quiet Years

http://youtu.be/_Jk4tpPGu_M

As I went forward

He held out his hand

His wife said not a word

Her smile was grand

I told him about me

Our eyes did not part

I spoke of my family

He looked in my heart

Then, taking his wife's hand

He said, "This is my queen!"

And now I understand

Just what deep beauty means

Her hair, white, was a crown

Her eyes sparkled, bejeweled

Through her, goodness endowed

Of life's best gifts, she was schooled

Optimism and trust showed

She knew who she was

From within she just glowed

That is what a queen does

Since then I have sought

Knowledge and virtue

From the best I've been taught

For I want to be like her too

Sister Elaine S. Dalton tells of how she learned as a young woman what true beauty means. As a young woman, you were born to be a queen.

Verse 1] He took his old love's hand Said "This is my queen" Silver threads like a crown Softest smile he'd ever seen Her laugh like morning air Her scars like secret maps Every wrinkle on her face A story he could trace and trace [Chorus] That's my queen in the quiet years Turning time into souvenirs With that brave Wide-open heart Facing every fear Teaching love by how she lives Turning losses into gifts That's my queen in the quiet years That's what deep beauty is [Verse 2] Her eyes They still threw sparks Little fireworks of grace She'd shine in kitchen light Sanctifying every place Hope folded in her hands Faith stitched into her days She moved so sure of who she was Lit the room in quiet ways [Chorus] That's my queen in the quiet years Turning time into souvenirs With that brave Wide-open heart Facing every fear Teaching love by how she lives Turning losses into gifts That's my queen in the quiet years That's what deep beauty is [Bridge] Since then I've been chasing wisdom Tracing footsteps she once knew Learning kindness like a language Trying to let the light shine through (oh yeah) If I grow into that courage If my soul grows steady too Every good thing in this life Will be something learned from you [Chorus] You're my queen in these growing years Turning doubt to souvenirs With your calm Unshaken heart Holding all my fears Teaching love by how you live Turning losses into gifts You're my queen in these growing years Now I know what beauty is

President Henry B. Eyring

You will feel or hear something
That will move you to a better life
That will cause your heart to sing
Brightened by the Light of Christ

You may even sense the Savior
Saying, "Come and follow me"
Heeding His words to labor
Through new thoughts freely flowing

Come and become more secure
In a testimony that's alive
Find the strength to endure
Then patiently strive

Scriptures are necessary
And we should seek them out
The messages do carry
The love of God throughout

A testimony can wither away
If it is not rooted deep
Continually read and pray
As you covenant and watchkeep

Reflect its light to others
Until the perfect day
Bear testimony to your brothers
That God speaks to us today

thoughts from
President Eyring's message to the young sisters

Return To Virtue

Be a guardian of virtue
Praising all that's good
Ever let your light so shine
Do as the Savior would

.,.,.,.,,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,..,.

Be a guardian of virtue
Praising all that's good
Brighten up the world, too
Doing as the Savior would

General Young Women Meeting Highlights

Look into the mirror
Eternity's beyond
Becoming ever nearer
As with virtue we stand strong

I Felt God's Approval Abide

I felt God's approval abide
Encouraging...all who attended
As with her mother at her side
A young woman's recognition was extended

At times... there had been corrective counsel
Yet, she never rebelled or felt rejected
Her parents and leaders had been gentle
Such that she quickly repented

Having crossed the rocky and steep
On her path homeward to God
Though stumbling some...she did keep
To the programs...as need we all

Help Them on Their Way Home
President Henry B. Eyring
Ensign, May 2010, 22

There Is No More Beautiful Sight

There is no more beautiful sight
Than a young woman glowing with light
Who is confident and courageous
Simply because she is virtuous

Elaine S. Dalton
Remember Who You Are!
Ensign, May 2010, 120–23

There is no more beautiful sight than a young woman who glows with the light of the Spirit, who is confident and courageous because she is virtuous.

Fun Was Had by All

Fun was had by all
Still, I missed you there
So, I thought I'd call
And tell you that I care

Adam fell That Men Might Be

Adam fell that we might be
And, too that we might have joy
Sometimes this is hard to see
When much threatens to destroy

With advancements our homes fill with comforts
As in no other generation known to man
Thus, we must beware lest this distorts
The knowledge of our purpose and God's plan

With courage unto this end we awaken
And vow to be virtuous and chaste
That we feel neither bereft nor forsaken
But, have what is sweet and delightsome to taste

With courage might our lips refrain
From finding faults one with another
That we'll not judge there to put down with disdain
But love, encourage, and look for what's good in each other

With courage we will stand firmly planted
There to defend that which we believe
With power, love, and sound minds granted
We'll not fear nor fall to those who deceive

As at times the world is destructive and dark
We vow to become emotionally, physically, and spiritually strong
That with the Light of the gospel we're prepared to embark
Amongst the family of believers where we know we belong

President Thomas S. Monson
New Era, May 2009,
May You Have Courage

2 Ne. 2: 25
Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

Hiking to the Top of Ensign Peak

Hiking to the top of Ensign Peak
Three women unfurled a gold banner-
A shawl, in this color they did seek-
To symbolize virtue in manner

This element, when refined, shows it's worth
As does a young woman developing moral purity
For as she proves strong in behavior and thought
She glows with high standards and chastity

Sister Elaine S. Dalton, Sister Mary N. Cook, Sister Ann M. Dibb
New Young Women Value: Virtue
First Presidency announces new attribute to Young Women theme
By Sarah Jane Weaver
Church News staff writer
Published: Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008

Click the title to see the article

A Banner is Calling- Return

A banner is calling - return
And be a light full of virtue
That others might see and then learn
That it's always best to be true

Virtue is a pattern of thought
That gives rise to choice behavior
And when this inner strength is sought
It ultimately leads to our Savior

There to enter His temple with purity
And humbly stand at our appointed place
Tall and bright with a quiet dignity
That's born of a clear conscience and grace

For those worthy to make sacred covenants
Do receive the Holy Ghost as their guide
That protects us at the needed moments
That we're worthy no longer to hide

Now is the time for each to arise
And unfurl this banner to the world
That when comes our Savior Jesus Christ
We'll be encircled about with light swirled

That when He appears we will be like Him
Purified even as He is pure
From within our hearts to our very limbs
We'll wax strong in confidence that is sure


Elaine S. Dalton
A Return to Virtue
Ensign, Nov 2008, 78

D&C 121:45
Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

Moroni 10:30
And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.
31 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.
32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

Moroni 7:48
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

I Can Be An Example Though I'm Just One

I can be an example, though I'm just one
Of a righteous believer in the Son
In word, in spirit, in faith, and in purity
In conversation, too, and in charity

The Savior Jesus Christ trusts me with His name
And I want to represent Him just the same
As part of a generation with destiny
I know that others will be drawn to me

Through the power of faith, I've influence
To show God's standards of excellence
I'll make every decision pass this test:
What will this do for me to be my best?

I'll partake and renew my covenants each week
For the constant companionship that I seek
Then I, just one, can make a difference in the world
Till the dawning of a brighter day is unfurled

-------------------the young women---------------------
By small and simple things are great things brought to pass
And there are three things I've been challenged to task
To pray, to smile, and to read the Book of Mormon each day
That people will be drawn to me for a happy way

------------------the young men------------------------
I cannot neglect the gift that is in me
For through hands it has been given through prophecy
I'll live worthy for the blessings that through me flow
I'll attend to my duties, and strive ever to grow

An Example of the Believers
New Era, January 2009, 8

1 Tim. 4: 12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.


“The morning breaks; the shadows flee;
Lo, Zion’s standard is unfurled! …
The dawning of a brighter day
Majestic rises on the world.”
(Hymns, no. 269.)

1 Tim. 4: 14
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands

Alma 37: 6
Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.