Young Women Come Unto Christ And be perfected in him. Moroni 10:32

Overview of the Young Women Organization The purpose of the Young Women organization is to help each young woman “come unto Christ” (Moroni 10:32). By following Savior’s example and teachings, she can fulfill her mortal mission and return to live with her Heavenly Father

Basic Principals for Young Women Leaders Help Each Young Woman Grow Spiritually –To help young women grow spiritually, leaders should prepare themselves spiritually. As they draw close to the Lord through prayer, scripture study, and obedience to His commandments, they are better able to bring the Spirit of the Lord into their teaching of Gospel principles and their association with young women. –Leaders develop caring relationships with each young woman and foster friendships among young women. These relationships can have a powerful effect on how a young woman feels about the Church and the gospel. –Leaders involve each young woman in meaningful activities that provide practical application of gospel principles. Such activities should help her feel the Spirit, bless others, and develop leadership skills. –Leaders nourish each young woman with “The good word of God” (Moroni 6:4) helping her learn and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. They also help her prepare to receive temple covenants, marry in the temple, and become a wife and mother.

Basic Principles for Young Women Leaders (cont.) Strengthen Each Young Woman in Her Family –Young Women leaders encourage each young woman to apply in her family the eternal principles she learns in classes and activities. –Leaders encourage each young woman to work with her parents in selecting Personal Progress experiences and projects. These experiences should help her develop and express love for family members. –Leaders should support the parent-child relationship rather than compete with it or substitute for it. They encourage each young woman to support her family activities and seek her parents’ help and counsel. –Leaders acquaint parents with the Young Women organization. They also keep parents informed well in advance of upcoming activities.

Young Women’s Theme We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and we love Him. We will ‘stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places as we strive to live the Young Women Values, which are: Faith Divine Nature Individual Worth Knowledge Choice and Accountability Good Works and Integrity We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.”

Young Women Motto and Logo The Young Women motto is “Stand for truth and righteousness”. The Young Women logo is a torch surrounded by the Young Women motto. The torch represents the light of Christ inviting all to “come unto Christ” (Moroni 10:32). It invites all young women to hold up the light of Christ by keeping His commandments.

Young Women Values Faith Divine Nature Individual Worth Knowledge Choice and Accountability Good Works Integrity

Standards of Personal Worthiness Pray in private regularly Read the Scriptures regularly Seek the guidance of the Spirit Honor her father and mother Be morally clean Obey the Word of Wisdom, including not using coffee, tea, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, or other harmful drugs Be honest in thought, word and action Practice the law of the fast Respect and support the priesthood Obey the laws of the land Apply the principles of repentance and forgiveness. Help make family life better Refrain from swearing, gossip, criticizing others, and other unworthy speech. Avoid all immoral and suggestive materials and entertainment. Be an example of the Lord’s word in thought, speech, action, and appearance Participate in Church meetings; participate in seminary where possible. Learn from experience the blessing of work and the sweetness of service. These standards should be reinforced through lessons and activities (see FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH and the PERSONAL PROGRESS book).

Personal Progress Personal Progress is a program that helps young women have experiences living the Young Women Values. The Personal Progress book provides information to implement the program. It outlines responsibilities and experiences for value. It also includes instructions for keeping records and journals. Leaders give the Personal Progress book to each young woman when she enters the organization. Leaders, parents, and other family members are encouraged to work with her in selecting Personal Progress experiences and projects. Leaders are also encourage to participate in Personal Progress themselves. A Young Woman receives the Young Womanhood Recognition after finishing six Value Experiences and on Value Project for each of the seven values, keeping a journal, recording her testimony of Jesus Christ, living the standards and having a worthiness interview with the Bishop

Young Women Age-Groups Beehives (ages 12-13) Mia maids (ages 14-15) Laurels (ages 16-17) As a young woman enters a new age-group, it is appropriate that she be recognized by the bishopric, Young Women leaders, and parents. Class presidencies should also plan a special welcome for her.

Beehives A young woman enters the YW Organization at the time of her 12 th birthday. The bishop interviews her, then recognizes her in sacrament meeting for her advancement from Primary to Young Women. Under the direction of the bishopric, the class advisor and the member of the YW Presidency responsible for 12 and 13 year olds arrange to meet with the young woman and her parents. At this time the class advisor or presidency member gives the young woman her Personal Progress Book and orients her to Young Women. Those who enter Young Women later than the age of 12 should also receive this orientation.

Eighteen Year Old Young Women Young women ordinarily move into Relief Society when they reach their 18 th birthday. However, because of special circumstances, such as individual maturity, desire to continue with peer group associates, school graduation, and college attendance, a young woman may move into Relief Society earlier or remain in Young Women longer. Such exceptions should occur after the young woman consults with her parents and the bishop and receives their approval. Young Women and Relief Society presidencies work together to make the transition into Relief Society successful.

Roles of Parents and Church Leaders Parents have primary responsibility for the welfare of their children. The bishopric and other ward leaders support but do not replace them in this responsibility. Leaders teach parents how to strengthen their righteous leadership in the home. They help parents teach their children to obey the commandments, attend Church meetings, fulfill their Church responsibilities, and honor their priesthood. They also help parents prepare their daughter for the temple endowment, temple marriage, and motherhood. Leaders might also help parents encourage their children to seek education and improve their academic, vocational, cultural and social skills. Leaders make every effort to promote discussion and counseling between youth and their parents. The bishop must not share confidential information that he has received from youth or parent without their consent. However, he normally encourages youth to confide in their parents. Leaders encourage parents to carefully plan and carry out gospel instruction, family home evening, family work and family recreation. Parents may be invited to suggest how Young Women activities can best support and supplement their family activities. Leaders should be especially sensitive to young women who come from homes that lack strong support for gospel living.

Ward Young Women Leadership The bishop assigns one of his counselors to oversee the ward YW organization under his direction. This counselor meets regularly with the ward Young Women presidency to discuss Young Women matters. He reports on these matters in bishopric meetings. As invited, he may attend stake Young Women Leadership Meetings.

Ward Young Women Leadership (cont.) Each member of the ward Young Women presidency is responsible for one of the age groups. They help each young woman grow spiritually. They also strengthen her in her family. They give special attention to new members and less-active young women. They direct the ward YW organization, ensuring that it is organized and functioning properly. They oversee and instruct other ward YW leaders. They oversee Sunday YW Opening exercises and classes. They build unity and leadership in the young women. They work with young women to plan and carry out weekly Mutual activities for the class. They also help plan monthly combined activities with the young men. They work with young women in Personal Progress. They plan and conduct ward YW presidency meetings, and leadership meetings. They also meet regularly with a counselor in the bishopric. They attend the satellite broadcast of the annual general YW meeting. They attend Young Women leadership meetings. They complete the Teaching the Gospel course; they also plan and participate in teacher improvement meetings. The Ward YW Presidency serves on the ward council and Bishopric Youth Committee. The Ward YW president oversees the records, reports, and finances of the ward Young Women. She ensures that attendance reports are accurate, complete and on time. She and her counselors recommend a detailed YW budget to the bishopric before the beginning of the year. They ensure that approved funds are spent wisely and according to Church Policy.

Ward Young Women Secretary Assists the presidency as needed She consults with the president to prepare agendas for their meetings. She attends these meetings and keeps minutes. She oversees class secretaries in keeping YW attendance records. This includes distributing and collecting class rolls. Each month she compiles, reviews, and submits attendance information She may help administer the Personal Progress program She may help the presidency prepare the annual ward YW budget and account for expenditures of approved funds. She instructs class secretaries.

MEETINGS Stake YW Leadership Bishopric Youth Committee Meeting Ward YW Presidency Meeting Meeting with Counselor in the Bishopric Ward YW Leadership meeting Class Presidency Meeting Sunday

Young Women Activities General Guidelines Planning with a purpose Scheduling and Financing Activities Mutual Combined Aaronic Priesthood and YW Mutual Activity Planning a Balanced Activity Program Youth Conference New Beginnings Young Women In Excellence Standards Events Young Women Camp

Young Women Policies and Guidelines Finances Record of Attendance Participation of Youth under 14 years of age Young Women of other Faiths Young Women who are pregnant out of wedlock Young Women who are unwed mothers For the Strength of Youth Young Women who have disabilities. Recognition and honors

The Most Important Thing! Love the girls Love the Girls Love the Girls!