By Kelsey Hansen
Women of all ages congregated Saturday morning to hear inspiring words of strength and confidence at the annual BYU Women?s Leadership Conference.
The hundreds in attendance were greeted with the sound of the 155 members of the Women?s Chorus.
Ashley McLaughlin, a freshman political science major from Wichita, Kan., said she found the music to be very uplifting. She commented on how the chorus? presence and sound were gorgeous.
Speakers encouraged the women to be better leaders throughout their various roles in live.
This year?s keynote speaker was Camille Fronk, a professor of ancient scripture. Her speech stemmed out of Proverbs 31:10-31 when the scriptures speak of Women being more precious than Rubies.
Fronk admitted that during her undergraduate studies, she looked at these scripture passages and thought them impossible to achieve. In later years, she has learned to take a deeper look at the buried meanings, and not look so literally at the words on the page. Fronk advised all to turn to the Lord for guidance when interpreting not only the words in Proverbs, but in daily trials and endeavors.
?Turn to the Lord, learn to receive direction from him . . . We should not care what other people might think, only God,? Fronk said.
There were six breakout sessions available and enough time for every woman to attend two. Each of the six speakers chose a verse from Proverbs 31 and elaborated on the specific verse.
Carol Clark Ottesen spoke on verse 18 relating to how women should not allow their lights to fade when darkness comes.
Otteson shared personal stories to illustrate that there are times in life when a woman?s candle, or strength and self-belief, may grow dim.
?We can choose to learn from [our hardships], or we can choose to be lost in the dark,? Ottesen said.
Anita Withers, a freshman English major from Eltopia, Wash., shared her feelings concerning the things that touched her most as she listened to Ottesen?s words.
?I feel as though I need to desire the light in my life more than anything else,? Withers said.
