Imagine the sight — a choir of 550,000 young women singing "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." (Hymns No. 136.) Imagine 550,000 young women standing as witnesses of Jesus Christ — sharing their testimonies through music, readings and crafts. Think of the stirring within your heart if you could literally see them all — ages 12 to 18 from North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands and Europe.
This happened during November with the culminating activity of the yearlong 2000 Young Women Worldwide Celebration. Though all these young women were not in the same room — nor in the same country — for this event, they were unified, nevertheless. In stakes and districts throughout the Church, they gathered with their families, Young Women leaders and priesthood leaders to share how they've been strengthened throughout the year as witnesses of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
And, in turn, how they have strengthened their own families, communities and countries by applying in their lives the theme of the yearlong commemoration, "Stand as a Witness."
"It just sends chills up your back," said Young Women General President Margaret D. Nadauld, "to think girls all over this world are singing in choruses and bearing testimony through music and other creative means about the life and mission of the Savior, whose 2000th birthday we celebrate this year."
Sister Nadauld and her counselors in the Young Women general presidency, Carol B. Thomas and Sharon G. Larsen, have seen much of this firsthand as they've traveled throughout the Church in recent months. In an interview a few days before the culminating celebration, they expressed their delight in and love for the young women.
"The girls have focused on the Savior this year," Sister Nadauld related. "They pledged themselves to live lives that are more in tune with Him. They want to be more like Him. They've been reminded by the songs they've sung and the service they've given, what it's all really about, what His life is really about, and that He really did live a life for them. I see our young women being so grateful to their Savior and trying to honor Him with the goodness of their lives.
"They will have a different feeling when they enter the Christmas season this year. They are going to be truly honoring the Savior Who they've talked about and thought about in their Young Women activities. There are a lot of testimonies that have been strengthened."
As has been the custom of the Young Women organization in the past, the worldwide celebration is usually held every three years, the last being in 1998. However, an exception was made for 2000, as explained in the "Invitation to Young Women Worldwide" sent at the end of 1999 to local priesthood and Young Women leaders: "In the year 2000, young women . . . are invited to focus on, commemorate, and honor the living Christ. As we acknowledge the Bimillennial Commemoration of the Savior's birth, young women and their leaders worldwide will have the opportunity to place renewed emphasis on our Savior, Jesus Christ."
As this yearlong commemoration now draws to a close, emphasis has, indeed, been placed on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Members of the general presidency shared several examples of such Young Women activities and projects. Sister Thomas spoke of a stake in Provo, Utah, where young women made a CD of songs about the Savior's life. In Spanish Fork, Utah, young women memorized 2,000 verses of songs about Christ. "These songs will be in their heads for the rest of their lives!" she exclaimed.
Sister Nadauld expressed delight in young women in the Salt Lake Monument Park North Stake who showed a slide presentation on the life of the Savior while performing violin and piano music in accompaniment. She also spoke of a handmade quilt sent to the Young Women General Offices from young women in the Layton Utah Northridge Stake.
"At the center of the quilt is a stitching of the Savior. Below it is the motto, 'Stand as a Witness.' Every girl made a square of the quilt with her name on it, pledging that she will stand as a witness."
However fancy or simple the projects, the focus is Jesus Christ, Sisters Nadauld, Thomas and Larsen emphasized. "We hope the Savior will become more real in their lives," said Sister Larsen, "and that His atonement will be real, that in this crazy world with everything going on around them, this testimony gives them hope and direction that the Lord loves them and that He will compensate for their weaknesses."
"And that He will carry their burdens," Sister Nadauld quickly added. "He is ready to suffer for us and wipe away our tears. He won't always take away the cause of their suffering, but He will comfort them and carry their burdens."
Sister Thomas expressed the final hope of the Young Women general presidency: "This isn't just a one-occasion event. This has been yearlong celebration. We hope their love for the Savior will continue throughout their lives."