The Young Women’s organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) was organized back in 1869. Brigham Young, then president of the Church, began to worry that his daughters and the other young ladies were too caught up in the trends and fashions of the world.
“On 18 November 1869, he holds a meeting with his daughters. He asks them to set an example by spending more time learning about the gospel and gaining important life skills rather than chasing after trends” (Caroline J. Benzley, “134 Years Young!,” New Era, Nov 2003).
Thus began what would later become known as the Young Women’s program. Isn’t is rather sad that the reasons for forming this organization so of this world, and need extra help and guidance to help bring them back to what’s really important. We would much rather see them stand as a light unto the world.
To this end was the Young Women program formed. There are many adult leaders, depending on the number of girls. You have the Young Women President, her 1st and 2nd Counselor, and a Secretary. Generally the girls are split up into three age groups: Laurels (age 16-17), Mia Maids (age 14-15) and Beehives (age 12-13). Within these age groups another presidency is set up within the class. Responsibilities are set up to help the girls learn leadership skills, as well as how to reach out to friends and church members who aren’t coming or are struggling.
Every Sunday the girls all meet together for “Opening Exercises.” One of the Laurels will conduct, outlining who will give a scripture/thought, who will give the opening prayer, what song will be sung, and who will help lead all the girls in the Young Women Theme.
Young Women 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” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to love 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.
This theme stands as a reminder of what the girls should be looking to focus on week after week, and in what areas they should work on. To help them in this goal the Church developed the Personal Progress program, which I will go into at a later time.
The youth of today are being bombarded by so many nasty temptations and sins it can be terribly difficult for them to keep their moral compass pointed North. It is the hope of the Church to give these young women both leaders and goals to help guide them through these difficult years, so that they may, as the Young Women motto declares, “Stand for Truth and Righteousness.”
