The YW Program

So you hear me talk about YW (aka the young women's program) all the time. But if you are not familiar with the program you may be left guessing at what I'm talking about. I guess I should help you with that.

History

This program was started in 1863. Ultimately Brigham Young, the second President and prophet of the church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), felt that the teenaged girls of the church needed a program especially for them.

It has had a few different names throughout the years.

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

1974 — Young Women

This is our theme that we recite every week at church to remind us of our goals in life:

 "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

Integrity

and Virtue

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."


 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 make a commitment to hold up their light by being an example and remaining worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple.
 

“Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (D&C 115:5).

Classes

We are divided up into classes by age group to more personalize our experience, though we still interact with all the girls about as much as we are separated into classes.

Beehive, ages 12 and 13

The beehive was a symbol of harmony, cooperation, and work for the early pioneers of the Church. Beehive was also the first name by which young women were known. Beehives today learn to work together in cooperation and harmony as they strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and prepare to stand for truth and righteousness. This is a time to “arise and shine forth” (D&C 115:5).

Mia Maid, ages 14 and 15

The name Mia Maid refers historically to the Mutual Improvement Association, which adopted the emblem of the rose as a symbol of love, faith, and purity. Mia Maids today learn about love, faith, and purity as they strengthen their testimony and accept and act upon the Young Women values.

Laurel, ages 16 and 17

For centuries the laurel wreath has been a crown woven from the leaves of the laurel tree. It is given to someone who finishes a significant achievement as a symbol of honor and accomplishment. Laurels today are finishing their preparation to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple.

When you enter a new class you receive a certificate of advancement. (picture below)

Personal Progress

Within YW's is the Personal Progress program. It is somewhat equivalent to the Boy Scout program and the big award, YW Recognition Award, is like the Eagle Scout Award. The Personal Progress program uses the eight Young Women values (the ones used in the theme) to help you understand more fully who you are. This is all the stuff that comes with it:

First is the booklet and journal that guides you through the program. Basically, there are projects for each of the 8 values. 3 required experiences, 3 elective experiences and one big project that takes a minimum of 10 hours. Times all that by 8 and you can get your award! You must also:

• Attend sacrament meeting regularly (where possible).
• Live the standards in For the Strength of Youth.
• Keep a personal journal.
• Attend seminary or participate in independent study (where available).
• Read the Book of Mormon regularly.
• Record your testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ.

As you pass off each value you get a ribbon bookmark for your scriptures.

Award

The award is a necklace that looks like this (they come in silver too):

 

If you look closely, you can find all 3 of the class symbols along with the temple, which is our ultimate goal. Many people ask if the stone in the middle of the rose is your birthstone. Nope. It's always a ruby. It come's from the scripture Proverbs 31:10

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

 But that's not all. You can also get bee charms. The Honor Bee charm was historically given to young women who were willing to do more than was required. All you have to do is read the Book of Mormon cover to cover and put in 40 hours of service and you get a bee charm!

Phew. That was a lot of information. But if you still want more go to:

personalprogress.lds.org

  There you can see what all the projects are etc.