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She helps others gain literacy, encourages them by example

The Young Women president in a branch here is not only helping others gain basic literacy skills, but also is encouraging others - through her example - to seek truth and knowledge.

In letters to Carma Hales, a member of the Relief Society general board, Elder Richard and Sister Mary Cook, who are serving as missionaries in Mongolia, wrote about the 22-year-old branch Young Women president. She is an English teacher at a business college who was trained in Russia, and also has taught English classes to children.Elder and Sister Cook, from Park City, Utah, are among missionary couples serving in Mongolia to help improve the country's higher education system. (Please see Church News, Sept. 19, 1992, for article on couples serving in Mongolia.) In one letter, they wrote concerning the Young Women president: "She has had a rather tragic life. Her parents were both killed in an automobile accident when she was 16 years old. She is raising her brother who is now 12 and who was just ordained a deacon. He is a delight.

"You can imagine her joy when she learned about the Plan of Salvation and the blessing of being with her family again. She radiates the spirit of the gospel and the young women love her as a result. Her understanding of the gospel is amazing."

In another letter, Sister Cook wrote: "She [the Young Women president] has read the [Young Women] handbook in English, translated the Young Women theme into Mongolian and is anxious to start Personal Progress with all of the girls. She arranged on her own a service project at an orphanage and teaches the Young Women lesson every Sunday. I just watch her go.

"The prospect of eternal life is so incredible to her and she yearns to be with her parents again."

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