PROVO, Utah — In addition to receiving intellectual stimulation, cultural enrichment and spiritual affirmation, thousands of LDS women who will participate in BYU Women's Conference here April 26-28 will also have the opportunity to give service "across the street, across the world and across the veil."
This, the first BYU Women's Conference of the new millennium, marks not only the 2,000th anniversary of the Savior's birth, but also the 25th anniversary of the annual conference, said Wendy L. Watson, chairwoman of the event.
"This is the year 2000 and we are choosing to celebrate the Savior's birth this year. We will focus on His life, lessons, mission and messages," she said.
As part of this focus, women can attend classes emphasizing His teachings, join an instant choir and participate in a gigantic service project April 26.
Sister Watson expects more than 10,000 project participants to make enough quilts to cover the football field in Cougar Stadium, donate 20,000 coats and collect 200,000 buttons. And that is just the beginning. Women can also sew hats for cancer patients, assemble hygiene kits, receive literacy training, paint wooden toys and donate food. Red Cross representatives from numerous western states will be on hand to collect a goal of 2,000 units of blood.
Women can also attend family history classes and participate in name extraction at the stake center near Cougar Stadium, where employees of the Church's Family History Department will instruct and assist them as they identify ancestors and prepare names for temple ordinances.
Most important, the service will not only benefit people across the world and across the veil, but also people here, across the street, said Sister Watson. "We hope that women can take home what they learn and say, 'I can make a difference in my town, in my community, in my village, or wherever I am.' "
Sister Watson hopes the conference will help Latter-day Saint women become women of light — just as the Savior taught. This year's theme, "Arise and shine forth that thy light may be a standard for the nations" (D&C 115:5) reflects that desire.
Past conferences have focused on how to deal with problems, she continued. This year, all the presentations will center on one solution: Christ.
"We know each of us has sorrows and joys and struggles and opportunities," said Sister Watson. "We are all different ages and stages. We want to say: 'There is one ultimate answer to all of our problems.' That is why we are celebrating the Savior's life."
In addition to the almost 30,000 people expected to attend the conference on BYU's campus, thousands more will watch 13 presentations via the Church satellite system. (See schedule) For more information about BYU Women's Conference call (801) 378-8925 or go to the Women's Conference 2000 Internet site.
