Difference between revisions of "Young Women"

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[[Brigham Young]], the second President and [[Prophet]] of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints founded the Young Women's organization in 1869. It was originally known as the Young Ladies' Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association. Concerned for his daughters in a changing world, President Young declared the following to them: "I desire them to retrench from extravagance in dress, in eating and even in speech. The time has come when the sisters must agree…to set an example worthy of imitation before the people of the world…There is need for the young daughters of Israel to get a living testimony of the truth. We are about to organize a retrenchment Association, which I want you all to join, and I want you to vote to retrench in…everything that is not good and beautiful, not to make yourselves unhappy, but to live so you may be truly happy in this life and in the life to come."1
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[[Category: Women in Mormonism]][[Category: Youth and Children]][[Category:Church Callings and Leadership]]
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[[image:torch-with-text.jpg|LDS Young Women Torch Logo|right|300px]]The Young Women's Organization of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] was founded in 1869. All Mormon females age 12-17 are members of this auxilliary.
  
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In 1877, the organization's name was changed to the Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association. And then in 1880, the first general presidency of the organization under the direction of then President and Prophet [[John Taylor]] was formed, with Elmina Shepard Taylor as the first general president. Today, there continues to be a General Young Women Presidency, which oversees all the Young Women in the world.  
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==Young Women's Theme==
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The Young Women theme helps each young woman understand her identity, purpose, and destiny as a daughter of God. Young women and their leaders repeat the theme during Sunday classes and at other Young Women gatherings.  
  
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As long as there is one young woman in a ward, there is a Young Women's Organization. The leadership comes from the adult women in each ward. Leadership can range from only the Young Women President to a complete presidency with a President, two counselors, and secretary. In larger wards, along with the presidency, there can be three more leaders, called advisors, which help with various activities. As the number of young women increases, so can the need for leadership
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: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 live the Young Women values, which are:
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::Faith
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::Divine Nature
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::Individual Worth
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::Knowledge
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::Choice and Accountability
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::Good Works, and
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::Integrity.
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: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.
  
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The Young Women's program is for young ladies ages of 12-18. The sole purpose of the Young Women's program is to help each to 'come unto Christ'. By following the Savior's example and teachings, each young woman can: 'solidify her testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel; fulfill her mission on earth, and return to live with her Heavenly Father.'1
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==Motto==
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Stand for truth and righteousness.
  
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The Young Women's organization meets on Sundays during the ward's worship services for spiritual and uplifting lessons, which prepare each girl for eternal life. Activities during the week are planned and prepared that prepare each young woman for life. An important part of the Young Women's program is to teach girls to lead. Each girl is provided with numerous opportunities in which to plan, prepare and help other young women to 'come unto Christ'. All activities that are planned should create a feeling of unity and a sense of belonging which strengthens and supports the family unit.  
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==Logo==
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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.
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==Age Groups==
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Like the Young Men, the Young Women are divided into three groups by age. Young Women under 14 and above 12 are in the Beehives. Upon their 14th birthday, they are advanced to the Mia Maids. The 16 and 17 year-old Young Women comprise the Laurels. These age groups all have their own [[presidency]] comprised of members of the group. The presidencies each have a president, called by the bishop or branch presidnet, and two conselors and a secretary, who are selected by the president. Depending on the president, the secretary may or may not play an advisory role during presidency meetings. The presidency meets to plan their age group's meetings, and resolve any issues the group may be having. Each age group also has one or more adult advisors. There is also an adult Young Womens Presidency in each ward or branch that is in charge of the entire organization in that ward or branch.
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==History==
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Founded in 1869, the Young Women organization was originally known as the Young Ladies’ Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association. [[Brigham Young]], the second President and [[Mormon prophet|prophet]] of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called together daughters and their mothers for a special meeting in the parlor. Following family prayer, President Young addressed his family. Among other things he said: “I desire to organize my family into a society for the promotion of habits of order, thrift, industry, and charity; and, above all things, I desire them to retrench from extravagance in dress, in eating and even in speech. The time has come when the sisters must agree ... to set an example before the people of the world worthy of imitation. I want you to set your own fashions ... and set the style for the rest of the world who desire sensible and comely fashions to follow. I want my daughters to learn to work, and to do it.
  
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Since the organization was formed, each young woman has been given the opportunity to make and achieve goals. In 1915, the Church established its first award program for girls. In 1920, all young women were called "Beehives" and were arranged in groups of "Swarms", and their leaders were called "Bee Keepers". 'Each girl was required to memorize the Spirit of the Hive, the Beehive motto: "On my honor each day I will have faith, seek knowledge, safeguard health, honor womanhood, understand beauty, know work, love truth, taste the sweetness of service, feel joy." There were three ranks in the program: Builders in the Hive, Gatherers of Honey, and Keepers of the Bees. To achieve each rank, girls were required to fulfill 14-16 foundation requirements and 36 additional requirements of their own choosing. At one time there were 373 requirements to choose from. Here are a few sample requirements: 1) Care successfully for a hive of bees for one season and know their habits. 2) Sleep out-of-doors or with wide-open windows. 3) During three consecutive months, abstain from candy, ice cream,           
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“I have long had it in my mind to organize the young ladies of Zion into an association so that they might assist the older members of the Church, their fathers and mothers, in ... teaching and practicing the principles I have been so long teaching. There is a need for the young daughters ... to get a living testimony of the truth. I wish our girls to obtain a knowledge of the Gospel for themselves ... We are about to organize a Retrenchment Association, which I want you all to join, and I want you to vote to retrench in ... everything that is bad or worthless, and improve in everything that is good and beautiful. Not to make yourselves unhappy, but to live so that you may be truly happy in this life and the life to come.”
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commercially manufactured beverages, and chewing gum. 4) Clear sagebrush, etc. off of a half acre of land. 5) Care for at least two kerosene lamps daily. 6) Without help or advice, care for and harness a team of horses at least five times; drive 50 miles in one season. 7) Identify 12 kinds of lace and tell the reasonable price and appropriate use of each. 8) During two weeks, keep the house free from flies or destroy at least 25 flies daily.
 
  
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In the 1960's, the requirements changed. 1) Strive to get your full nine hours beauty sleep each night this month. Make it a habit. 2) Increase your self-confidence by acquiring a good posture (sitting, standing, and walking.) 3) Politeness in all things is the mark of a lady.  Practice at home being considerate and polite.  Learn to accept directions graciously. 4) Conscientiously try to improve. 5) Make dinner hour joyous by improving table manners for the entire family. 6) Look for something beautiful every day for two months.' 2
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The Young Women organization has been referred to by several different names throughout its existence:
  
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Due to changing times, the requirements have changed over the years. However, the  goals of helping each young woman gain a testimony of the Savior [[Jesus Christ]] and His gospel, the goal of learning to improve oneself, and the goal of making the world a better place through service.
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:1869 — Young Ladies’ Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association
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:1875 — Young Ladies’ National Mutual Improvement Association
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:1904 — Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association
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:1934 — Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association
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:1972 — Aaronic Priesthood, Young Women
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:1974 — Young Women
  
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Today, each young woman is given a Personal Progress booklet as she enters young women. It contains the goals she is to accomplish in each of the values of faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, and integrity. As she advances through the young women program, she will set goals where her parents and leaders can help her achieve each one. Activities will be planned to help her: 1) Know that she is a daughter of God 2) Rely upon the [[Holy Ghost]]
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This international organization is the oldest and largest organization of its kind for teenage girls.
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3) Develop personal religious behaviors, such as prayer, scripture study, obedience to commandments, and service 4) Keep her [[baptismal covenants]] and prepare and qualify for [[temple covenants]] 5) Develop talents and skills that prepare her for her future roles 6) Establish a pattern of step-by-step progress through her life.
 
  
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The Young Women Theme today is:
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The following women have served as general presidents of the Young Women:
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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,
 
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and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.As each girl recites this theme and achieves the goals set forth in the Personal Progress program, she will know and understand her place in our [[Heavenly Father's plan]]. She will have set a pattern for life  – a life that will bring her much joy and happiness for the future.
 
  
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1 "Keepers of the Flame", Peterson,Gaunt; 1993
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:Ella Young Empey, 1869-1880
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2 "lds.org"
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:Elmina Shepherd Taylor, 1880-1904
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:Martha Horne Tingey, 1905-1929
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:Ruth May Fox, 1929-1937
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:Lucy Grant Cannon, 1937-1948
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:Bertha Stone Reeder, 1948-1961
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:Florence Smith Jacobsen, 1961-1972
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:Ruth Hardy Funk, 1972-1978
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:Elaine Anderson Cannon, 1978-1984
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:Ardeth Greene Kapp, 1984-1992
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:Janette Callister Hales Beckham, 1992-1997
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:Margaret Dyreng Nadauld, 1997-2002
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:Susan Winder Tanner, 2002-present
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==References==
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:* [http://lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4662-1,00.html lds.org - Priesthood and Auxilliaries --> Young Women--> Young Women History]
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[[Category:Church Organization]]

Revision as of 12:17, 16 September 2007

LDS Young Women Torch Logo
The Young Women's Organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded in 1869. All Mormon females age 12-17 are members of this auxilliary.

Young Women's Theme

The Young Women theme helps each young woman understand her identity, purpose, and destiny as a daughter of God. Young women and their leaders repeat the theme during Sunday classes and at other Young Women gatherings.

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 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.

Motto

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.

Age Groups

Like the Young Men, the Young Women are divided into three groups by age. Young Women under 14 and above 12 are in the Beehives. Upon their 14th birthday, they are advanced to the Mia Maids. The 16 and 17 year-old Young Women comprise the Laurels. These age groups all have their own presidency comprised of members of the group. The presidencies each have a president, called by the bishop or branch presidnet, and two conselors and a secretary, who are selected by the president. Depending on the president, the secretary may or may not play an advisory role during presidency meetings. The presidency meets to plan their age group's meetings, and resolve any issues the group may be having. Each age group also has one or more adult advisors. There is also an adult Young Womens Presidency in each ward or branch that is in charge of the entire organization in that ward or branch.

History

Founded in 1869, the Young Women organization was originally known as the Young Ladies’ Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association. Brigham Young, the second President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, called together daughters and their mothers for a special meeting in the parlor. Following family prayer, President Young addressed his family. Among other things he said: “I desire to organize my family into a society for the promotion of habits of order, thrift, industry, and charity; and, above all things, I desire them to retrench from extravagance in dress, in eating and even in speech. The time has come when the sisters must agree ... to set an example before the people of the world worthy of imitation. I want you to set your own fashions ... and set the style for the rest of the world who desire sensible and comely fashions to follow. I want my daughters to learn to work, and to do it.

“I have long had it in my mind to organize the young ladies of Zion into an association so that they might assist the older members of the Church, their fathers and mothers, in ... teaching and practicing the principles I have been so long teaching. There is a need for the young daughters ... to get a living testimony of the truth. I wish our girls to obtain a knowledge of the Gospel for themselves ... We are about to organize a Retrenchment Association, which I want you all to join, and I want you to vote to retrench in ... everything that is bad or worthless, and improve in everything that is good and beautiful. Not to make yourselves unhappy, but to live so that you may be truly happy in this life and the life to come.”

The Young Women organization has been referred to by several different names throughout its existence:

1869 — Young Ladies’ Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association
1875 — Young Ladies’ National Mutual Improvement Association
1904 — Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association
1934 — Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association
1972 — Aaronic Priesthood, Young Women
1974 — Young Women

This international organization is the oldest and largest organization of its kind for teenage girls.

The following women have served as general presidents of the Young Women:

Ella Young Empey, 1869-1880
Elmina Shepherd Taylor, 1880-1904
Martha Horne Tingey, 1905-1929
Ruth May Fox, 1929-1937
Lucy Grant Cannon, 1937-1948
Bertha Stone Reeder, 1948-1961
Florence Smith Jacobsen, 1961-1972
Ruth Hardy Funk, 1972-1978
Elaine Anderson Cannon, 1978-1984
Ardeth Greene Kapp, 1984-1992
Janette Callister Hales Beckham, 1992-1997
Margaret Dyreng Nadauld, 1997-2002
Susan Winder Tanner, 2002-present

References

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