YWIE--YW Theme

I broke down the theme by values (not in order) and we did a power point slide show for our YWIE. We used a gumball theme since we used the 'chews' a value test.  You could use word strips instead and leave out the photos of the girls and their projects and just use the narration that explains the theme. Hope this helps.
Charlene

"Chews" to be YW of Excellence.   (bold = slide)
  
Tonight is an evening of excellence.  A showcase of the achievements of young women who are striving to follow the prophets counsel to, "Be excellent in every way."  He asks that we devote "a little more consecrated effort in the direction of excellence in our lives.  Young women everywhere are consecrating their efforts toward excellence so that they may, "Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him." (Moroni 10:32)  Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest example of excellence in all the world.  His is the example we should look to in our continual quest for excellence. It is through His great Love and sacrifice that we are blessed with the privilege to choose to be young women of excellence.

The young women's theme defines 7 specific values to follow in that quest for excellence.  This theme, memorized by young women all over the world, illustrates phrase by phrase their commitment to "be excellent in every way".  It states:

WE ARE DAUGHTERS OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, WHO LOVES US, AND WE LOVE HIM.

We are Gods children, and there is something of His divinity within each of us.  He knows us personally. We have been created in His image with a tremendous potential for excellence. This sacred, inherited gift of godlike characteristics, is being developed daily by young women as they come to recognize their Divine Nature.

Slides of each YW working on this value: examples

___________ is acknowledging her DIVINE NATURE through loving kindness and service. Tori has spent many hours visiting with and just being there for her Aunt Debbie who is recovering from a terrible automobile accident.  Knowing that we are all children of a Father in Heaven who loves us and knows our individual needs has helped Tori through this difficult time.
Tori says, "My Aunt Debbie has shown me that even with an accident or if your body does not function completely that your mind can- she taught me to really love handicap people.  I love her very much."

In reaching out to others_____________is celebrating her DIVINE NATURE.  She has spent hours designing, cutting, sanding. and building a beautiful, sturdy, toy box for a very busy family of triplets. "First I did babysitting to earn the money for the materials." Sarah states, "Then I read the scriptures to work up to it.  I know those three little triplets will just love this.   Sarah's efforts reflect her DIVINE quality of Christlike love.


WE WILL "STAND AS WITNESSES OF GOD AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL THINGS, AND IN ALL PLACES" (MOSIAH 18:9)
      
Choosing to stand as a witness of God empowers us.  The blessing of agency entitles us to CHOOSE & thus be ACCOUNTABLE for our choices. What a priceless gift from our Father in Heaven who loves us.  Young women show strength and commitment to excellence as they daily stand as witnesses wherever they are and in whatever circumstances they may be in.

YW slides:

AS WE STRIVE TO LIVE THE YOUNG WOMEN'S VALUES,
  
Striving to live the young women values in today's world requires strength, commitment, and fearless INTEGRITY. We must strive to overcome the taunting influence of society and honor our commitment to excellence.  Having the courage to cling to righteous values and making our every action consistent with our knowledge of right and wrong empowers us with personal INTEGRITY.

YW slides:

WE BELIEVE AS WE COME TO ACCEPT AND ACT UPON THESE VALUES,

Accepting the seven values outlined in the young women's theme means understanding, embracing, and making them a part of our daily lives. To act upon these values is to behave in a way that shows others our commitment to become excellent.  The examples of GOOD WORKS performed by young women who act upon these values is remarkable.

YW slides:

WE WILL BE PREPARED TO STRENGTHEN HOME AND FAMILY,
 
To be prepared requires gaining KNOWLEDGE of many things.  Education and learning must be a priority.  The time and effort taken to increase our knowledge and talents while multiply our spiritual gifts is a great undertaking.  Preparing now by studying, obtaining a good education and learning all things of excellence is how young women today are influencing others.

YW slides:

MAKE AND KEEP SACRED COVENANTS, RECEIVE THE ORDINANCES OF THE TEMPLE,

Acquiring a deep, abiding testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ with an unshakable commitment to it's teachings requires FAITH.  Through FAITH we are motivated to live according to God's standard of excellence.  With each FAITH promoting experience we are becoming more spiritually prepared to accept the Lords will, keep His commandments and be worthy to receive the sacred ordinances of the temple.  
      
YW slides:

AND ENJOY THE BLESSINGS OF EXALTATION.    

The blessings of exaltation and eternal life are gifts desirable above all else.  "The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.", and His greatest wish is that we will be worthy to "live with Him once more"  Each child of God is a unique individual of great worth to our Heavenly Father.  In striving for excellence young women who recognize their INDIVIDUAL WORTH are glorifying their uniqueness in many different ways.   

With a commitment to stand for truth and righteousness armed with the values of
FAITH
DIVINE NATURE
INDIVIDUAL WORTH
KNOWLEDGE
CHOICE & ACCOUNTABILITY
GOOD WORKS and
INTEGRITY, today's youth are consecrating their efforts "to be excellent in every way". 

With the light of Christ as their TORCH valiant young women hold high a righteousness standard in a world of darkness.  They hoist banner blazing bright in a time where evil skulks in the shadows luring many astray.  This brilliant beam illuminates their way to "Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him." (Moroni10:32) We are taught, "Be ye therefore perfect."  A daunting challenge without a guide.(Pres. Hinckley)  Oh, how grateful we are for the inspired young women's theme, for a prophet to follow, who has issued the call,  "Be excellent in every way." He has encouraged us to, "Stand a little taller.  Rise a little higher.  Be a little better.  Make the extra effort. He has asks us to, "Stand for something."
          
(TORCH)  So I say to you, Who will Stand for Truth and Righteousness? 

(Young women will stand in small groups at a time and say, "I will stand for truth and righteousness!" then move forward to the front of the room. When all have gathered to the front the YW-repeat the theme with feeling:   We are daughters.... (remain standing)

These young women choose to be excellent in every way.   They choose each day whom they will serve.  They choose to serve the Lord.  They are righteousness daughters of our Heavenly Father.  I testify that He loves them.  I know that they love Him.  They stand as witnesses of God.  They strive to live the YW values.  They are a strength at home and in their families. They are preparing to make and keep sacred covenants and they will be worthy to enjoy the blessings of exaltation and eternal life with their Father in Heaven. They choose to be Young Women of Excellence.