our girl's camp theme this year was "the light within you" and we focused on the parable of the 10 virgins and filling our lamps with oil. the last night we had a progressive walk through the woods where the girls visited 10 women that represented foolish or wise virgins. they each acted out their part and represented such parts as:
"woman of the world"
"woman of contention in her family"
"woman of service"
"woman of patience"
i was the last virgin, "the woman of faith" and i ended the activity as i lit each girl's lantern and then the wise women's lanterns. i led the girls and women on out of the woods past the foolish virgins whose lanterns were not lit and who were holding their heads down. as we exited the woods we crossed a bridge over a small river and into a clearing where there was a picture of Christ lit up with a large lantern and a circle of chairs around the fire. the Bishop shared with us his testimony and opened up the testimony for everyone to follow. it was very spiritual and really illustrated to the girls the things that they need to work on to avoid being foolish and the qualities to work towards to become wise.
here is the part that i wrote up and "acted out:" (directed towards my young women, and based off the the book of the 10 Virgins)
my sweet sisters,
my lamp is simple, yet elegant. the Shopkeeper gave me this lamp as a gift, fashioned by His careful hand, unique, suited to my needs.
He knew that i would need this lamp to serve the needs of others around me. i trust that it's light will burn bright, but it is my responsibility to visit the shopkeeper daily to purchase oil, to receive instruction and glean wisdom at His feet.
if i do not make my daily trek to His shop, i risk running out of oil. i risk not having enough light to brighten my path and guide me to people in need.
there are days that i visit the Shopkeeper more than once, needing his gentle smile to bring peace to my heart. i rely on His strength when i feel weak. i try to never turn AWAY from Him, but to run TOWARDS Him when i am in need. He comforts me, when i'm alone.
i pray that you will remember to use your lamps, not just to light your own way, but to light the way for others to follow you. this world can be a dark place, please learn to use your lamps now!
prepare them with oil so they may never run out. guard your precious light, it is a gift unique to each of you. to do this, you must visit the Shopkeeper also. do not get too busy that you forget. do not procrastinate the journey. He is within your reach, only a small distance away and available any time of day or night, but YOU must make the journey! you alone can take the steps to fill your lamps and your hearts.
the Shopkeeper will soon be married. in this preparation He is to be called the Bridegroom, and the whole village rejoices in preparing for His coming. He will come when the hour is dark, but no man knoweth we He comes. he only knows.
to be part of this celebration we must all be wise and prepare now, daily, by having the oil that we need in our lamps for them to be bright when the hour is nigh.
i want everyone of you to be with me at this celebration. we NEED the Shopkeeper, this Bridegroom. we need to trust Him and love Him, just as He loves all of us.
did you know that He knows each of us individually? He does! He knows you! He has sacrificed for you. He knows your name and has fashioned each of your lamps to perform as you need them to.
i also love you. i see your potential to be amazing, virtuous, women. you are DAUGHTERS of GOD! with a divine potential within each one of you to inherit all that God has! by following the Shopkeeper, the Bridegroom- who is my Savior and yours!
you are strong, independent young women who will continue to learn and grow and be able to stand on your own when you need to.
you are-
(at this part i looked at each of the girls and made eye contact and told them a quality about them that i had seen in them prior to or during the week)
you all stand for the values we represent. let these values: faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice & accountability, good works, integrity and virtue be your guides.
ask yourselves:
-will i let this test if my FAITH weaken me or will it help me grow stronger?
-how can i express to others of the reality of my DIVINE NATURE?
-how can i develop my INDIVIDUAL WORTH and not let others define who i am?
-how can i deepen my KNOWLEDGE of the teachings that i receive at school, at home, at church and in the world?
-how do i use the gift of CHOICE (or agency) that god has given me? and when i choose unwisely, will i accept responsibility and ACCOUNTABILITY for my actions?
-how can i provide GOOD WORKS for others?
-how can i maintain my INTEGRITY in a changing world?
-would a VIRTUOUS woman live the way that i live?
i am here because i love you. we are all here because we love you and we love each other. we are sisters of God! let these wise women, and others that surround you in your lives help you on your path and in your journey. a wise Heavenly Father placed us within each other's reach. let us take your hand!
visit with the Shopkeeper- your Savior, and make the choice- will you be foolish or wise?
i have to make that choice daily. i choose to be wise- i am the WOMAN of FAITH."
