Margaret Dyreng Nadauld

Eleventh Young Women General President

1997–2002

Quotation

“Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.”

(Margaret D. Nadauld, “The Joy of Womanhood,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 15)

Story

“When I was just a young girl, I became seriously ill. Each day the illness became increasingly severe. Nothing the doctor recommended helped. At that time the dreaded disease of polio was raging in almost epidemic proportions in the land. It was taking the lives of many, and those who didn’t die were often left crippled. Polio was everyone’s worst fear in those days.

“One night my illness became critical, and my father and grandfather administered to me using consecrated oil, and through the power of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood, which they held worthily, they called upon God for healing, help, guidance, and comfort. And then my parents took me to a doctor in another town who immediately sent us to Salt Lake City. . . .

“When we finally arrived at the hospital in Salt Lake, there were medical personnel waiting for us. They grabbed me from my parents’ arms and whisked me away. Without a word of good-bye or explanation, we were separated. I was all alone, and I thought I was going to die.

“Following the painful diagnostic procedures, including a spinal tap, they took me to a hospital isolation room, where I would stay all by myself with the hope that I would not infect anyone else, for indeed I did have polio.

“I remember how very frightened I was. It was dark and I was so sick and so alone. But my parents had taught me to pray. I got on my knees, and I knelt beside the railing in the criblike bed and asked Heavenly Father to bless me. I was crying, I remember. Heavenly Father heard my prayer even though I was only a child. He did. Heavenly Father sent His comforting power, which enveloped me in quiet love. I felt the power of the Holy Ghost, and I was not alone.”

(Margaret D. Nadauld, “A Comforter, a Guide, a Testifier,” Ensign, May 2001, 90–91)

Events

  • 1998—Young Women worldwide celebration, “Turning Hearts to the Family.”
  • 2000—Final Young Women worldwide celebration, “Stand as a Witness.”
  • 2002—Young Women Personal Progress program revised and new Young Womanhood recognition medallion introduced.
  • 2002—For the Strength of Youth revised.
  • 2002—Annual Mutual theme reinstated.
  • 2002—Words “strengthen home and family” added to the Young Women theme.