Women of Value

Narrator: As young women, we are learning to “Come Unto Christ” by incorporating these 7 value into our lives: Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountability, Good Works and Integrity. We wanted to share a program with you that illustrates these values through stories and songs. We would like to invite you to go back in time with us to visit with several women who lived in the days of Jesus Christ. These women faithfully portray the values we are striving to live. You will hear beautiful musical numbers from several faithful women of our own ward who also exemplify these values. We hope that you will listen carefully to the messages that we will share and that your heart will be touched. May we all “Come Unto Christ” by being “Women of Value”.

D&C 14:7- “And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end, you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.”

The first Young Women Value is Faith. We are daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us, and we will have faith in his eternal plan, which centers in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Reader 1: I am the woman who had an illness which lasted for twelve years. It was after many attempts to be healed by the physicians of my day, that my heart recognized defeat. I felt I had lost my battle to live. I felt certain that I would die. But then, I heard the news of a Messiah! I was hesitant at first, reluctant to offer my heart and what little faith I had left, to Him.

And so, I began my search for Him. I mingled in multitudes, asking questions about this Man and learned that He could heal the sick with a touch of His hand. I learned of His compassion and concern for the broken-hearted. My faith was kindled and it grew. But, how would I ever find the courage to ask for His help? He was always surrounded by so many anxious souls that stood taller and braver than I.

At times, when I heard Him speaking, I felt He looked straight into my heart and bid me to come to Him–as if He knew all there was to know about me. I will never forget the day I accepted His invitations. The multitudes were pressing Him for favors and blessings. Crouching on my hands and knees, I struggled to make my way to Him. If only I could reach Him. I need not bother Him. If with one touch of His hand, He could make me whole, then why not with one touch of my hand upon Him, could I not receive the same blessing?

Nearer and nearer I came, until I realized that He was beginning to move toward me. Quickly, I reached out my hand and my fingers gently brushed His hem. Immediately, I felt strength surging through my being. For a moment, my joy was interrupted, for He spoke, asking the people, “Who touched me?” It was as if He knew–for His eyes came to rest–upon me. Suddenly I felt afraid. Trembling, I rose and spoke the truth to Him. He was not angry with me. I will never forget the look in His eyes when He spoke to me, commending me for my faith in Him and for my courage to come to Him at last.

Truly, the Messiah knew and understood my heart. He had indeed invited me on many occasions to come to Him and be freed of the pain that He knew was threatening my life. Patiently, He waited until my faith in Him was sufficient. He had been reaching for me for so long – but it was when I finally reached for Him, accepting that He was the Gift for my broken heart, that I was made whole.

Song: “Close Enough To Touch” (alt. “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee,” Hymn #315; “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” Hymn #102)

Narrator: 2 Peter 1:4-7 “Be partakers of the divine nature, …giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”

The second value is divine nature. We have inherited divine qualities which we will strive to develop.

Reader 2: I am Mary of Bethany. Sitting at the Savior’s feet was my joy. I drank deeply in the spiritual truths which He offered me. I considered these truths to be precious pearls. I held each one carefully and gratefully in my heart. I grew in my knowledge and understanding not only of the glorious gospel message, but also of Jesus Christ, the precious Son of God. Oh, if only each of you could know the joy of being tenderly tutored at His knee, the joy of gazing into His face and seeing mirrored in His eyes complete acceptance, perfect patience, compassion beyond description and love immeasurable for you!

As I grew in my love for Him, He taught me to love myself and to love and serve others. He was the Pearl of Perfection. He was a living emblem of complete and perfect truth. It was my desire to become even as He was. At times I grew discouraged, feeling I had so very far to go, but He always made me feel as if I were so very close. I know He saw the best in me for often He would smile and say, “Mary, the kingdom of God is within you.” In time, I grew to understand what He meant. Perfection is not a treasure waiting at the end of a long journey. Perfection lies within you, waiting to be discovered one pearl at a time – along the path that leads to exaltation.

Song: “He Came for Me” (alt. “The Light Divine,” Hymn #305)

Narrator: D&C 18:10 “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

The third value is Individual Worth. We are of infinite worth with our own divine mission which we will strive to fulfill.

Reader 3: I am Mary of Magdala, known in the scriptures as Mary Magdalene. I was a loyal friend to the Savior, Jesus Christ. I knew Him very well. I was His faithful follower and friend. I was healed through my faith in Him, of evil spirits which possessed me. In my heart, there never was a doubt that He could heal me of the sorrow that plagued my soul. Perhaps, women of today would call my illness depression. When He found me, my heart truly sang a new song.

I was the first that the risen Lord appeared to. I believe it was because I was searching so intently for Him. I bear my witness to you that if you will “search diligently, pray always and be believing” that there will come a day when you will find Him. It was through His power and His strength and the joy of His presence in my life that I was brought to sing His song of redeeming love. I knew I was precious in His sight.

Song: “Go in Peace” (alt. “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” Hymn # 316)

Narrator: D&C 88:118 “Seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”

The fourth value is knowledge. We will continually seek opportunities for learning and growth.

Reader 4: I am the Samaritan woman who went the well one hot afternoon to fill my waterpot. The sun was blazing overhead and I was tired and thirst. As I neared the well, I saw a man who appeared to be of Jewish descent resting alone beside it. Jews and Samaritans were enemies – especially Jewish men and Samaritan women. I approached the well with downcast eyes hoping to avoid him, but he immediately asked me for a drink of water. He proceed to tell me that if I would partake of living water, which only He could offer me, I would never thirst.

Who was this man who spoke in riddles? He seemed more than a man – perhaps a prophet. He told me all I had ever done and still offered me wells of compassion. As we spoke that afternoon, I felt my inner thirst being quenched for the first time. I eventually came to know and believe that He was Jesus Christ, the Holy Messiah. I ran and told my people, and nearly a whole city was converted to the Son of God.

Song: “Women at the Well” (alt. “Thy Holy Word,” Hymn #279)

Narrator: Joshua 24:15 “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

The fifth value is choice and accountability. We will remain free by choosing good over evil and will accept responsibility for our choices.

Reader 5: I am Martha of Bethany. The Savior was a dear friend of mine and a treasured guest in our humble home. He often came to visit my brother Lazarus, my sister Mary, and me after His long journeys. My heart has often been misunderstood. The scriptures do not give a full account of my love and devotion for the Lord, Jesus Christ. I considered it an honor and a blessing to serve Him. There was on one occasion, however, when I was weary. I wanted everything to be perfect for Him. He seemed so tired and hungry when He came to our home that afternoon.

I bid Him to ask my sister to help me with the preparation of dinner. Gently, the Lord invited me to join my sister Mary at His feet, tenderly telling me that I was “careful and troubled about many things” but that He understood that I too had needs that should be met. He gently explained that Mary had chosen the better part, which fed her spirit and nurtured her soul. It was with a heart full of love that I served Him. But it was in allowing Him to serve me that my giving heart was replenished, my weary soul strengthened and the cravings of my spirit satisfied.

Song: “If Thou Had Been There” (alt. “Teach Me to Walk in the Light,” Hymn #304)

Narrator: 3 Nephi 12:16 “Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

The sixth value is good works. We will nurture others and build the kingdom through righteous service.

Reader 6: I stood in a multitude with many whose hearts He knew were heavy. I had been trying for many years to overcome my bitterness and resentment for one I felt I could not forgive. As I stood in His presence, I felt His compassion fill my soul. I felt that He understood I had cause to hold a grudge, to harbor resentment, but I also felt as I listened to His words that He who had suffered cruelty, rejection and betrayal, had come to free me from my bitterness and pain.

I knew in my heart, that if I would ever hope to be forgiven of my own misdeeds and sins that I must let go of the offenses committed against me by others. I was at the foot of His cross when I heard His voice utter His last prayer. My heart broke in the full realization of the importance of forgiveness. In His last whisper, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” I understood that He was speaking not only of those who had taken His life – but also pleading for those for whom He gave it. It never seemed hard to forgive again, for the same mercy I hoped to receive for myself I eagerly offered ever after to others. The compassion I hoped He would extend to me, became my heartfelt gift to my fellowman. How could I ever judge or condemn another after beholding the suffering of the only one who’s heart was truly innocent.

Song: “Day of Tears” (alt. “As Sisters in Zion,” Hymn # 309)

Narrator: Job 27:5 “Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.”

The seventh and last value is integrity. We will have the moral courage to make our actions consistent with our knowledge of right and wrong.

Reader 7: I, a nameless widow, had seen the Savior on many occasions – teaching and healing and performing miracles. I felt the truthfulness of His message and sensed the divinity of His calling. My earnest desire was to keep the first and greatest commandment: to love the Lord with all my “heart and mind and might.”

I followed Him to the hillsides where He taught beautiful sermons to the multitudes. I stood on the shore of Galilee, listening to His flowing voice as it rippled across the waters to the ears of those who gathered to the water’s edge to hear. I never spoke to Him face to face as other women had. I watched, listened, observed, and loved Him from a distance. But, oh, how I wanted to be His friend.

In the temple, the week preceding His crucifixion, I came seeking further light and knowledge. Quietly, I dropped my last mite into the treasury. I felt warmth surrounding me. When I turned, there, standing before me, was the Lord, Jesus Christ. At first, fear clutched at my heart. Perhaps He would not understand the significance of my humble offering. I offered Him more than a coin. I offered Him my heart.

Song: “Greater Love” (alt. “Do What Is Right,” Hymn #237)

Reader 8: My name is Mary. I will never be able to express the thoughts and feelings that entered my heart with great force as I learned of my Heavenly Father’s plan for me. How is one supposed to feel as they learn that they will be the mother of a King? The Savior of the world? It was so overwhelming at first to comprehend everything, but amidst all my thoughts was sense of peace I’d never felt before. As I learned of His role on this earth and the challenges He would face, I knew that it would not be easy. Sometimes I could hardly even bear the thought of all that was in store for Him. How could I sit by as His mother and watch His suffering? Could I be that strong?

As He was born and as He grew, my spirit seemed to gain strength. He brought so much joy into my life and such peace. I will forever be grateful for such a sacred opportunity and for the trust my Father had in me. I know that He was sent here for all mankind, but a part of me knows that He was also sent here just for me. He truly was my miracle from heaven.

Song: “Miracle From Heaven” (alt. “I Will Follow God’s Plan,” The Children’s Songbook, p. 164)

(Have all the young women who are readers stand as Reader 8 leads them in the Young Women Theme as follows:)

Reader 8: We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him. We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” as we strive to live the Young Women Values, which are:

Reader 1: Faith
Reader 2: Divine Nature
Reader 3: Individual Worth
Reader 4: Knowledge
Reader 5: Choice & Accountability
Reader 6: Good Works
Reader 7: Integrity

Narrator: We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinance or the temple, and enjoy the blessing of exaltation.

Song: “Daughters Arise (short version)” (alt. “I Am a Child of God,” Hymn # 301)

Source: Lightplanet.com