Heber Valley Camp for LDS Girls

Did you know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints actually owns and operates an LDS Girls camp in the mountains southeast of Heber, Utah?

The camp is called Heber Valley Camp and it is located on a tract of land that covers more than 8,000 areas. The building of the camp started in 2003 and each year they have added more facilities with the ultimate goal of housing more than 5,000 campers. Wow...that is a big LDS Girls camp!

On June 1, 2009 at Heber Valley Camp the general Young Women president, Sister Elaine S. Dalton celebrated with 2,300 LDS girls high on the mountain top, unfurling a banner to virtue. The Young Women value of virtue was added to the other values- faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, and integrity- last November. Sister Dalton felt inspired to teach the LDS girls the counsel from the Lord contained in the Doctrine and Covenants asking us each to walk in the paths of virtue.

She told the LDS girls that were with her at the camp, “"So while you are here at Heber Camp and while you are walking on those paths, I hope that you will think about what the path of virtue will look like in your life. Sometimes it will be narrow. Sometimes it will be steep. But you are climbers. And you are not meant to be valley dwellers. You are meant to be up here in high mountain tops overlooking the grand vista you have. You are here on this Earth now for a glorious season and for a glorious purpose."

Sister Dalton explained to the girls that she had visited the camp before it was constructed and had wondered if making the camp would really be possible. She added, “"the Heber Camp is more magnificent than I could have ever dreamed. You are standing on ground that was foreseen by prophets of God for the very purpose to build and strengthen you, to strengthen your faith and testimony of Jesus Christ so that you might become the leaders of the next generation."

The beauty of Heber Valley Camp is one in which the “mountains shout for joy.” The beauty of the camp is like the beauty of each LDS girl.

"These are no ordinary days and you are no ordinary young women," Sister Dalton said. "Remember that. Let that sink into your hearts in the quiet of Heber Camp. Then when you go back to your homes, don't let anyone persuade you otherwise.

"It is my prayer that this day, here in the tops of the mountains, you will resolve to arise and go up to the mountain of the Lord – the temple. That you will resolve to stand for truth and righteousness."

Find out more about Heber Valley Camp at this link.

Are You The Same As Other Mormon Girls?

Do you consider yourself the same as other LDS girls? I mean, are you alike when compared to your friends who are Mormon, too? Most of us consider ourselves unique, and might even take pride in being different. As I have the opportunity to meet and hang with many different "types" of LDS young women, I am amazed at how different they really can be. But what I love best, is that in those things that truly "matter", most LDS girls are very much on the same page. And that is a GOOD thing!

We can appreciate the differences in each other, by our talents, opinions, activities, looks, etc... but we must also value those things that make us ONE. These are the exact things that will ultimately draw others to us, as well.

Think about it? Have you recently had a difference of opinion with another member of the Church? Probably so. You know, we don't all think alike, regardless of our religious teachings. However, we become and remain unified by our understanding of eternal principles, that become all of our ultimate guides.

I don't always agree with other members of the Church, about this or that -- but I do know that for the most part, we are all striving to live the principles of the gospel in the best ways we know, and understand.

I enjoyed this video about"What Mormon Teens are Like", because of this very example of how our lives help to strengthen each other, and our desire to live the gospel every day!

What's Important To Most Mormon Girls

tDMg
LdsNana

Zion's Trek

Have you ever participated in a Zion’s Trek activity?

Do you know what a Zion’s Trek even is?

A Zion’s Trek is an activity that commemorates a part of the history of the LDS Church and the westward movement. In other words, it is an activity where you get to experience what it was like to be a hand cart pioneer.

To participate in this activity you usually dress the part.

You spend your days pulling a hand cart holding all your belongings and supplies in it.

Perhaps you get a little taste of what it felt like to be a pioneer yourself.

This weekend was the Murrieta Stake of California’s Zion’s Trek.

This link is for a great newspaper article written in the local newspaper about the event. Make sure you check it out!

Here is some of the response from the kids who participated:

"It's an adventure, and you get a taste of what the pioneers went through, and a greater appreciation of the sacrifices they made," said 17-year-old Alton Skaggs.

"It was freezing last night, and I was thinking, ‘They didn't have sleeping bags,'" Katelynn said about her ancestors.

"The small stuff, like water, you become pretty grateful for," said Kyle Frizzell, 17.

If you have been on a Zion’s Trek tell us what your favorite part about it was.... What did you learn?

Uplifting Music

HeY TherE aLL mY LDS gIrL FRiEndS...Do you love music as much as I do?

The problem for me is... there is a bunch of music out there that is simply not COoL! Sure, it might have a catchy beat... but the words are not great at all! Come on... you know what I am talking about, don’t YoU? Don’t make me give examples now!!!

Does it really matter what kind of music you listen to?

Elder Boyd K. Packer taught that inspiring music brings worthy thoughts.... so think of what the opposite of that statement might be.... Uninspiring music brings__________. I will let you finish that one!

Elder Packer shared some specific ideas about music.....

• You cannot afford to fill your mind with the unworthy music of our day. … Such music as that is not worthy of you.

• You are a son or a daughter of Almighty God. He has inspired a world full of wonderful things to learn and to do, uplifting music of many kinds that you may enjoy.

• Pay careful attention to the music you program for your activities.

• There is so much wonderful, uplifting music available that we can experience to our advantage. Our people ought to be surrounded by good music of all kinds.

• If you are blessed with musical talent, develop a wide range of good music.

Why not go through your [music] collection? Get rid of the worst of it. Keep just the best of it. Be selective in what you consume and what you produce. It becomes a part of you.

So GiRlFriEndS...why not take the music challenge... get rid of the junk and start collecting some CoOl good music instead!

Why not start with this....

The Book of Mormon, A Great Life Planner

The Book of Mormon is a book written for instruction to us for our day. It was written by the hand of God, by prophets who knew us and what we would be facing in our time. It is the best way to learn, by example, the ways to return back to our Heavenly Father. It is also one of the best ways to understand Satan and the tactics he uses to try and trip us up. It is really a great book to get everyday instructions, helping us to be better prepared for life. Make The Book of Mormon part of your “life planner.”



Look for the three blessings that President Hinckley promises anyone who prayerfully reads the Book of Mormon....

“Without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”
Gordon B. Hinckley

Why do you think reading the Book of Mormon would help give you these blessings?

Could you use an added measure of strength in any area of your life right now?



Take the challenge, read the Book of Mormon daily! See for yourself if the blessings come true.

Do You Ever Wonder Why?

Sometimes we, as LDS Girls, are faced with all kinds of counsel and we simply do not understand the reason for it. It makes us simply ask, “Why?”

LDS authors John Hilton and Anthony Sweat will be releasing a new book on April 1^st that is called “Powerful Answers and Practical Reasons for Living LDS Standards.”

These authors use quotes from Church leaders and real-life stories, giving the doctrinal “whys” to back up the standards that are found in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. There are answers to over 100 questions, like:

• Why do some people who break the commandments appear happy?

• Why shouldn’t I just “try” alcohol, just so I can see what it tastes like?

• Why is wearing two pairs of earrings such a big deal? Or is it?

• Why is it wrong to steady date someone if we both have high standards?

• Why is 16 the magical age–is it all that different from 15?

• Why is pornography a big deal if it doesn’t hurt anybody?

• Why shouldn’t I wear flip-flops to Church?

• Why do some people who pay tithing still not have a lot of money?

• Why should I talk to the bishop about certain sins?

They have a really cool website an even have a Facebook group account where you can join LDS youth in your search for answers.

So if you have questions... find out the answers!

Diversity Makes Us Perfectly Cool LDS Girls

Isn't it amazing how we are all different, yet we have so many similarities with one another at the same time.

As I was pondering the topic of diversity today, I ran across some really cool BLOGS written by some really cool LDS girls. I loved what each of them had to say and I pondered at what it was that made each one of these girls special and unique and just plain cool in their own way. I have decided that it is the fact that they all have a divine heritage and that light just seems to radiate in all that they do.

Take for example my friend Michelle. Michelle is a BYU Cougars fan, and when I say fan, I mean fan! She gets a cut and she bleeds BYU blue! Michelle had a dream come true just recently as she had the opportunity to go to the BYU Football Women's Clinic in Provo, Utah. She got to meet the actual players and coach and spend some time in LaVelle Edward's Stadium.


Michelle knows just about everything there is about BYU football, she even wrote a Hubpage about them on Hubpages. She definitely has "passion" for the team, the sport, and the school, and she radiates this passion whenever she gets a chance.

I am not really a football fan my self, but I can respect Michelle for the love she has for her team, she is a real cool LDS girl.


Michelle and I have something in common however, and that is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We both love the church and the gospel with as much passion as cool LDS girls can. She and I both love to study the scriptures and learn to better understand the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Even though we are different in some ways, we are the same in so many other ways that we share a great love for one another. I like to think it is because we are both cool LDS girls.

What do you think?

KooLDSgirlZ On Facebook

LDS Girls are gathering on Facebook in a group specifically formed for Mormon girls, called - KooLDSgirlZ! This FaceBook groups will help LDS Girls, who happen to be kool - connect online with each other in a really fun way.

LDS Girls and Mormon young women of all ages, can post comments, upload kool pictures, participate in relevant discussions with other LDS girls about everything Mormon, and find out what's happening with other Mormon girls, etc...

So come on over to Facebook and join with us on KooLDSgirlZ and meet other LDS girls who are doing awesome LDS things in LDS ways:-)

tDMg
LdsNana

Good Job Chelsie...You are one Cool LDS Girl

Cool LDS Girl Chelsie Hightower, is an incredible dancer, who really represented on So You Think You Can Dance. We will miss her on the show...but will look for this Cool LDS Girl in the finale and then on tour.

In an interview Chelsie said that hip hop was the hardest style for her to learn because it was just so different from what she has always done best, which is ballroom dancing. This is one cool LDS Girl who took on a challenge and really did it up right as you can see in the dance video "Bleeding Love." I think her HIP HOP rocked!

What do you LDS Girls think?

Where does Chelsie see herself in ten years?
"Married probably, teaching dance and continuing to dance myself."

Way to go Chelsie... you are HOT!

TWILIGHT and LDS Girls - What's UP With That?

I have finally decided to give in to all the HYPE about the book - TWILIGHT. Yes, I know - there are now three books in the TWILIGHT series - with the fourth coming out this Saturday. I understand that I am behind - but stay with me, okay?

I first heard about the book Twilight, from dare I say -- a lot of really kool LDS girls, who attend the Singles Branch - where my husband and I are shepherds. (like the coolest job in the Church)

These LDS girls, that are normally rational and reasonably thinking young women - upon bringing up the subject of TWILIGHT amongst themselves - completely lost all control of their senses! I just sat there, observing the excited conversation that they were exchanging between each other... and then I piped in and ask the golden question -

"What's twilight and who in the heck in Edward"?

Mere words really cannot help you visualize the immediate frenzy that immediately ocured - with that one "Golden" question. Missionaries could only hope for such a contact as myself. I was up for conversion and every single girl who had read TWILIGHT knew it!

I fast became, for these now insane LDS girls - their newest VICTIM to join with them in the insanity that seems to be sweeping the WORLD with TWILIGHT MANIA!

Well, to make a short story even a bit shorter... after a few weeks of listening to these really awesome LDS girls, assure me that the book was totally clean, and amazingly awesome - LdsNana picked it up at Barnes and Noble.

That's right -- I am now reading the first book in the very popular TWILIGHT series... TWILIGHT.

I now know WHO this EDWARD is... and apparently he is DANGEROUS!

tDMg
LdsNana

Modest One Piece Bathing Suits and Tankinis Really Do Exist for LDS Girls!

The trend this summer is one that includes a retro-looking modest one piece bathing suit. Find out about the beauty of dressing modestly in bathing attire and where you can find these really cute one-piece bathing suits and tankinis, that work perfectly for LDS Girls who want to keep their modest standards...tDMgLdsNana

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