Research Guide
Young Women Organization
Overview
Welcome to the research guide for the Young Women organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This guide is designed to assist you in finding and accessing resources about the Young Women organization and its history. In addition to this research guide, “
The
Acronyms:
MIA: Mutual Improvement Association
Retrenchment: Young Ladies’ Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association
YLMIA: Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association
YLNMIA: Young Ladies’ National Mutual Improvement Association
YWMIA: Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association
YMMIA: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association
This guide contains online and on-site resources. Online resources are digitized content that you can access from your computer by clicking on the title. You may need to sign in to the catalog to view the online resource. At the Church History Library, historians and technicians digitize hundreds of images every month. If a collection is not currently available digitally, it could be soon. You can request digitization through the
On-site resources can be viewed at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can access item or collection information in the
Historical Details
The precursor to the Young Women organization was the Young Ladies’ Department of the Ladies’ Cooperative Retrenchment Association. Brigham Young founded this association in the context of concerns about the increasing outside influences in the community as the transcontinental railroad was completed in Utah in 1869. The organizations sought to encourage women to live frugally, dress simply, and gather often to encourage and uplift each other.
As the Young Women organization grew, its objectives grew, as reflected in the name Mutual Improvement Association, which was adopted in 1877 to parallel the young men’s association of the same name. The Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association became an organization for the personal development of the young women of the Church. In 1934 it became known as the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association and in 1974 as the Young Women. More changes to the organization were announced in theOctober 2019 general conference. Despite changes in the organization’s structure and programs over the years, the purpose of the Young Women program remains the same.
As the Young Women organization grew, its objectives grew, as reflected in the name Mutual Improvement Association, which was adopted in 1877 to parallel the young men’s association of the same name. The Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association became an organization for the personal development of the young women of the Church. In 1934 it became known as the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association and in 1974 as the Young Women. More changes to the organization were announced in the
Online Resources
These resources are available digitally through the Church History Catalog or other online locations.
Published Church History Department Resources
This essay is part of the Church History Topics series and discusses the history of the organization as well as the changes that have been made to the program throughout the years to meet the needs of the global Church.
This essay is part of the Church History Topics series and discusses the “retrenchment” movement in the Church, which led to the eventual formation of Churchwide programs for young women.
This website features stories about the founding and history of Young Women, including testimonies of early participants and biographies of organization presidents.
This volume is a collection of addresses given by women throughout the history of the Church.
This podcast series highlights the history of the Church and features four episodes on the history of the Young Women organization:
This podcast series highlights the voices of Latter-day Saint women throughout history, including many of the women involved in the Young Women organization.
Local and Church Records
This collection contains minutes from the Liberty Stake’s MIA from its inception until the program was changed. The Liberty Stake is significant because it hosted the first Girls’ Camp, which was later adopted by the Churchwide YLMIA.
This item contains minutes from an early meeting of the Ladies’ Cooperative Retrenchment Association, including articles of organization and the names of officers and key participants. It is part of the larger
These are minutes of the bimonthly meetings of the Senior and Junior Cooperative Retrenchment Associations. The record also includes minutes for the Young Ladies’ Retrenchment Society, a precursor to the Young Women organization, and documents several meetings held during the fall of 1874.
This collection contains scrapbooks compiled by the Young Women general board celebrating awards, banquets, and other special events. Items in this collection are copyright protected. Copyright-protected images can be viewed in the Church History Catalog by signing in with your Church Account.
This collection contains instructions and patterns for a Churchwide quilting project celebrating the centennial of the Young Women organization.
These scrapbooks were created by the Young Women’s organization. They include clippings, programs, and correspondence. They cover a variety of topics. For some volumes you will need to sign into the catalog and request digital access.
This collection contains a complete set of photocopies of existing published and unpublished minutes. It also includes a brief history of the association, including name changes through the years.
This collection is a manuscript newspaper for the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association. It contains religious articles and inspirations, letters, riddles, and a biographical sketch of Abraham Lincoln.
This collection is a scrapbook created by the Gleaner girls and their leaders in the Jefferson Ward, Grant Stake. It includes tributes to ward members, faith-promoting experiences, poetry, and essays. It also contains photographs and original artwork.
This collection contains handwritten records of officers’ meetings and regular gatherings of the YWMIA in the Kalaupapa Branch in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission.
This collection contains attendance records and meeting minutes for the ward YLMIA.
This collection contains attendance records and meeting minutes, including reports on activities and classes for the South Shore First Ward, Chicago Heights Illinois Stake, using a standardized record book.
This collection contains attendance records and meeting minutes, including reports on activities and classes for the Stockport Ward, Manchester England Stake, using a standardized record book.
This collection contains attendance records and meeting minutes, including reports on activities and classes for the Worland Ward, Big Horn Stake, in Wyoming, using a standardized record book.
This collection contains attendance records and meeting minutes, including reports on activities and classes for the Yuen Long Branch in the Hong Kong Mission, using a standardized record book partly written in Chinese.
Manuscripts
This collection contains the personal papers of Elmina Shepard Taylor, who served as the first General President of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association. The records include journals and personal histories, correspondence, newspaper clippings, photographs, and printed books and pamphlets.
This collection is a typescript copy of Ann Agatha Walker Pratt’s personal papers, including minutes from an early Ladies Co-operative Retrenchment meeting held in the Salt Lake 19th Ward in 1870, where she presided.
This collection includes correspondence between Ann M. Cannon and her niece. It also contains personal notebooks and photographs of medals, pins, and ribbons associated with the Young Women Mutual Improvement Association. Items in this collection are copyright protected. Copyright-protected images can be viewed by signing in with your Church Account.
This collection contains items collected during her service as General President of the YWMIA. It includes photographs and scrapbooks, journals, correspondence, notebooks, and some printed items. Remote digital access may be granted on a use or need basis. Contact us through the
This item is a typescript and annotated copy of the diaries of Ruth May Fox, who served as a counselor in the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association and later became General President of the organization. The diary includes accounts of her participation in youth activities and her activism for women’s rights and prohibition.
This extensive collection contains the personal papers of Susa Young Gates, who founded the Young Woman’s Journal, which became the official publication of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association. It includes minutes and other papers pertaining to the YLMIA as well as files from the Young Woman’s Journal that contain original copies of articles, correspondence, and subscription records.
Photographs
Photographs of the M.I.A. jubilee celebration in 1925. Includes photographs of the Young Women’s and Young Men’s organizations.
Contains photographs of various award ceremonies, camps, fashion, drama, and dating. Will need to sign into the catalog to view.
Periodicals
Beginning publication in 1889, the Young Woman’s Journal was a monthly magazine for the young women of the Church. Digital copies of the magazine are available online through the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University.
This monthly magazine was originally published with the Young Men’s and Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church as the intended audience. In 1889 the YLMIA began its own publication, and the magazine changed its focus to the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association.
First published on June 1, 1876, the Woman’s Exponent was a semimonthly periodical published by and for Latter-day Saint women. The magazine included local and national news, women’s sermons, minutes of women’s club meetings from Relief Societies around the world, articles on educational matters, health and dress guidelines, correspondence, editorials, and household hints. It was the unofficial publication of the Relief Society.
The successor to the Contributor, this monthly publication was originally a magazine for the priesthood brethren, the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association, and several other organizations. In 1929 the Young Woman’s Journal was discontinued and the Improvement Era became the
This monthly magazine replaced the Improvement Era as the publication for the English-speaking young women and young men of the Church. It ran from 1971 to 2020, when it was replaced by For the Strength of Youth.
Created as a worldwide magazine for young women and young men of the Church, For the Strength of Youth replaced the New Era at the beginning of 2021. The magazine can also be found in the Gospel Library app.
Published Books
As stated in the preface of this text, it was the “first published history of the organized work of women in the Church.” This book was written by Susa Young Gates and tells the history of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association (YLMIA) from its creation in 1869 to 1910, when the book was written.1 The online version is hosted by the Internet Archive.
Written during the presidency of Bertha S. Reeder in 1955, this history contains an explanation of how grassroots movements at the ward and stake level developed into a Churchwide program. Remote digital access may be granted on a use or need basis. Contact us through the
Manuals
This pamphlet contains instructions and guidance for YLMIA leaders at the stake and local (ward and branch) levels.
This manual contains lesson guides on religion, Church history, and personal hygiene. The digital version is hosted by Internet Archive. This is not a Church-sponsored website, and the Church does not endorse the content.
This handbook is the first of many that would be created by the YLMIA over the years. It defines “Bee-Hive girls,” outlines the core values of the program, and lists requirements. The succeeding years of the Bee-hive handbook can be accessed simply by adding the year to the end of the call number (e.g., M257.46 B414g 1914 or M257.46 B414g 1949). Years available include 1915, 1919–29, 1931, 1932, 1942, 1944–45, 1949–50, 1955, 1967, 1969–70
This item is a program that was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 14, 1915, honoring the girls who had achieved the rank of “Builders in the Hive.” It contains a program for the evening (speakers include the General President of the YLMIA, Martha Horne Tingey, and the President of the Church, Joseph F. Smith) and the names of all the recipients.
This book contains arrangements of spiritual and inspirational songs for women’s voices.
This manual is a handbook for the youngest group of Beehive girls, called the Nymphs. It contains guides for evening activities, including religious thoughts, practical lessons (for example, first aid), songs, games, and crafts.
This manual contains readings and personal courses of study for the oldest group of girls in the YLMIA. It also includes suggestions for leisure activities, games, and social events with the YMMIA (the young men’s organization), as well as general information about the Gleaner organization.
This pamphlet is a course of study for the junior girls, focused on the gospel principles in the Articles of Faith. It includes a calendar for lessons in 1930–31, as well as songs and poems.
This manual contains the requirements to achieve master or golden status. Requirements are organized in categories that include spiritual, executive, cultural, creative, and athletic development.
This manual, published by the Mutual Improvement Associations, is a reading course to supplement the groups’ study of the book Jesus the Christ.
This pamphlet was first published in 1965 and contains information on standards, propriety, and deportment for young Latter-day Saints. The digital version is a 1966 printing. Other versions are available at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City. The current
On-Site Resources
On-site resources can be viewed in the Church History Library reading room.
Local and Church Records
Contains material collected during the presidency of Elaine Cannon, such as correspondence, programs, celebrations, and other items.
Minutes created by the Young Women’s organization in the Nuremberg Northwest Branch, South German Mission.
Minutes created by the Young Women’s organization in the Ovalle Branch, Chile Mission.
Minutes created by the Young Women’s organization in the Paopao Branch, French Polynesia Mission.
Minutes created by the Young Women’s organization in the Primose Branch, Johannesburg South Africa Stake.
Minutes created by the Young Women organization in the Pusan Korea West District, Korea Pusan Mission.
Periodicals
This bulletin was written by the YWMIA and YMMIA general boards for stake MIA leaders and contained encouragement, inspiration, and tips and trainings.
This collection contains minutes from the Liberty Stake’s MIA from its inception until the program was changed. The Liberty Stake is significant because it hosted the first Girls’ Camp, which was later adopted by the Churchwide YLMIA.
This collection contains minutes from the Granite Stake MIA. The Granite Stake was also significant because the Girls’ Program began here. This program was combined with the YWMIA and adapted to the whole Church and led to increased participation and attendance in the late 1940s.
Periodicals
This bulletin was written by the YWMIA and YMMIA general boards for stake MIA leaders and contained encouragement, inspiration, and tips and trainings.
Manuals
The records listed here represent a sampling of available resources. Manuals may have many editions, and there might be other similar books and pamphlets. Use the Church History Catalog to expand your search.
This manual contains courses for the senior MIA, focusing on biographies of “heroes of science” and “champions of liberty.”
A manual for young adult members of the MIA that includes courses of study on advancements of science, industry, health, and thought.
This book is a compilation of several smaller publications for the senior members of the MIA (young adults in their early twenties). A
This manual contains the course lesson outlines and requirements for weekly co-ed meetings, with emphasis on socialization, leisure, and marriage.
This manual focuses on activities for the coed program. It focuses mostly on social development and interpersonal relationships.
This handbook is a revised guidebook for leaders based on the Instructions to Officers to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding YLMIA program.
This manual contains information about how to teach dance to different age-groups and provides guides and step instructions for specific dances.
This manual provides instructions to leaders on encouraging physical activity and hosting sports events and tournaments for various sports. It includes rules for tennis, shuffleboard, and volleyball, as well as directions for other simple active games.
This pamphlet showcases various awards given to MIA groups and individuals for physical and cultural achievements and reflects a national emphasis on youth fitness and health. It also contains a program for a Sunday-afternoon awards ceremony held at the Tabernacle on June 14, 1959.
These manuals represent changes to the Young Women organization. Starting in 1974, the program requirements began to focus on areas of individual progress and spiritual development. The succeeding years of Personal Progress books can be accessed simply by adding the year to the end of the call number (for example, M257.42 M995 1985).
These manuals contain information about safely planning girls’ camp and include suggested activities. They also list requirements for campers to become certified in survival and first aid. The succeeding years of camp manuals can be accessed simply by adding the year to the end of the call number (for example, M257.43 Y78 1992).
Published Books
Written by Janet Peterson and LaRene Gaunt, this book provides biographies of each of the Young Women General Presidents from Elmina Shepard Taylor to Janette Callister Beckham, as well as a time line of the Young Women organization. The preface of the book discusses the Nauvoo roots of the youth organizations in the Church.
Written by Anita Thompson, this biography of Ardeth Kapp, the ninth Young Women General President, highlights her dedicated service. The author draws on Kapp’s personal journals and published writings.
Additional Resources
Researchers can also use search engines to find valuable resources outside of the Church History Department. Some of these resources are included below. These websites are not Church sponsored, and the Church does not endorse the content.
Encyclopedia of Mormonism
The Encyclopedia of Mormonism contains information about the Church and its history, beliefs, doctrine, and procedures. It is not published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but most of the sources used for writing the volumes are. The online version is hosted by Brigham Young University.
Woman’s Exponent Project
This website represents a collaboration between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University to highlight common topics in the Woman’s Exponent during its run. The website is hosted by the Marriot Library at the University of Utah.
Presidents of the Young Women Organization through the Years
This article in the June 2008 Ensign lists the past Young Women General Presidents and the major milestones of their presidencies.
134 Years Young!
This article in the November 2003 Ensign provides a brief history of the Young Women organization, including an image of the badges for the 1927 uniform.
Blakesley, Katie Clark. “‘A Style of Our Own’: Modesty and Mormon Women, 1951–2008
.” Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, vol. 42, no. 2 (2009), 20–53.
Bytheway, John. “A History of ‘Especially for Youth’—1976–1986
.” Theses and Dissertations. BYU ScholarsArchive, 2003, scholarsarchive.byu.edu.
Embry, Jessie L.“Spiritualized Recreation: Mormon All-Church Athletic Tournaments and Dance Festivals
.” BYU Charles Redd Center for Western Studies, 2008, reddcenter.byu.edu/Pages/spiritualized-recreation.
Peterson, Janet. “Young Women of Zion: An Organizational History
.” In David J. Whittaker and Arnold K. Garr, eds., A Firm Foundation: Church Organization and Administration. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2011, 277–94.
Reeder, Jennifer. “Making an (In)Delible Mark: Nineteenth–Century Mormon Girls and Their Manuscript Newspapers
.” Utah Historical Quarterly, vol. 85, no. 3 (2017), 273–78.
Tait, Lisa Olsen. “Between Two Economies: The Business Development of the Young Woman’s Journal, 1889–1900
.” Journal of Mormon History, vol. 38, no. 4 (2012), 1–54.
Tait, Lisa Olsen. “The Young Woman’s Journal: Gender and Generations in a Mormon Women’s Magazine
.” American Periodicals: A Journal of History & Criticism, vol. 22, no. 1 (2012), 51–71.
Woodger, Mary Jane. “Elaine Anderson Cannon, Young Women General President: Innovations, Inspiration, and Implementations
.” Journal of Mormon History, vol. 40, no. 4 (Fall 2014), 171–207.
Woodger, Mary Jane, and Jessica Wainwright Christensen. “Ardeth Greene Kapp’s Influence on the Young Women Organization
.” In David J. Whittaker and Arnold K. Garr, eds., A Firm Foundation: Church Organization and Administration. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2011, 443–62.
The Encyclopedia of Mormonism contains information about the Church and its history, beliefs, doctrine, and procedures. It is not published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but most of the sources used for writing the volumes are. The online version is hosted by Brigham Young University.
This website represents a collaboration between the University of Utah and Brigham Young University to highlight common topics in the Woman’s Exponent during its run. The website is hosted by the Marriot Library at the University of Utah.
This article in the June 2008 Ensign lists the past Young Women General Presidents and the major milestones of their presidencies.
This article in the November 2003 Ensign provides a brief history of the Young Women organization, including an image of the badges for the 1927 uniform.
Scholarly Articles
Blakesley, Katie Clark. “
Bytheway, John. “
Embry, Jessie L.“
Peterson, Janet. “
Reeder, Jennifer. “
Tait, Lisa Olsen. “
Tait, Lisa Olsen. “
Woodger, Mary Jane. “
Woodger, Mary Jane, and Jessica Wainwright Christensen. “
Young Women Organization Timeline
Providing definitive dates for firsts can be challenging. It is important to note that many of the activities associated with the Young Women or youth programs, such as camp, mutual, and stake dances, initially began in the wards and stakes and were then adopted by the general organization.
This timeline is not comprehensive but provides a basic understanding of how the Young Women organization started and evolved to meet the changing needs of a global Church.
1870 - Organization of the Young Ladies’ Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association2
1880 - Organization of the General Young Women Presidency
1889 - Founding of the Young Woman’s Journal, with Susa Young Gates as editor3
1893 - First manual printed, Guide to the First Year’s Course of Study in the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association4
1896 - First Annual Conjoint YWMIA and YMMIA Conference held (later to become June Conference)
1912 - First summer camp for girls held in the Liberty Stake5
1915 - Bee-Hive Girls program organized
1923 - The name Gleaners given to the senior girls
1924 - First roadshow introduced in the Granite Stake6
1925 - MIA Jubilee held
1929 - Young Woman’s Journal merged with (“married to”) the Improvement Era7
1934 - Name changed to Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association (YWMIA)
1934 - Age of entry becomes 12 years of age
1943 - Class symbols of beehive, rose, laurel, and sheaf of wheat introduced
1949 - Girls’ Program becomes part of the YWMIA
1950 - Age-groups realigned: Bee-Hive Girls (12–13), Mia Maids (14–15), Junior Gleaners (16–18), Gleaners (19–29)
1959 - Junior Gleaners become Laurels
1962 - Worldwide Youth Conferences begin
1965 - For the Strength of Youth pamphlet published
1969- YWMIA centennial celebrated
1971 - Youth magazine the New Era introduced
1972 - Gleaners program (ages 19–29) discontinued
1974 - Name changed to Young Women
1974 - My Personal Progress program introduced8
1975 - June Conferences discontinued9
1978 - First General Women’s Meeting Broadcast10
1980 - Women’s organization presidencies (Relief Society, Young Women, Primary) seated on the rostrum during general conference
1985 - Name changed to the Young Women Program, including introducing values,11 a new Personal Progress book, and a special edition of the New Era
1986 - Young Women worldwide celebration12
1987 - Mission statements and symbols introduced to each age-group13
1989 - Second worldwide Young Women celebration14
1989 - Personal Progress program revised
1992 - Third worldwide Young Women celebration15
1993 - New camp manual introduced16
1994 - Celebration of 125th anniversary of Young Women
2001 - “Be prepared to strengthen home and family” added to Young Women theme
2001 - Revised and simplified Personal Progress book introduced17
2001 - New
2009 - Virtue added to Young Women values
2011 - For the Strength of Youth pamphlet updated18
2012 - 100th anniversary of Young Women Camp19
2019 - Names Beehives, Mia Maids, and Laurels discontinued and theme updated20
2020 - Personal Progress program discontinued
2020 - Young Women organization sesquicentennial
2020 - For the Strength of Youth conferences begin21
Young Women Presidencies
This is a list of the presidencies of the YLMIA, the YWMIA, and the Young Women organizations. When photographs are available, they are linked to the individual. Some photographs in the Church History Catalog may be copyright protected, which means you must be signed in with your Church Account to view them. This
Young Women Slogans/Themes/Mottos
The Young Women organization uses slogans, themes, and mottos to help define the work of the organization, plan lessons, and help young women in their personal development and goal setting. Originally, there was a new slogan each year. In 1936 the term slogan was discontinued and replaced by themes. This term was perceived as more spiritual than slogan. Themes were discontinued in 1971 but then reinstated in 1980. “Each year’s theme builds upon themes of the past, building on the idea that Christ is at the center of our lives. . . . Young women learn they have control of their lives as they endeavor to live the commandments of the Lord in daily thoughts and actions.”22
In 1985 a general theme for the Young Women was introduced. This theme was recited by young women all over the world. That theme was adjusted twice (2001 and 2009). In 2019 a new theme was introduced.
Slogans
“We stand for”:
1914 - A sacred Sabbath and a weekly half holiday
1915 - A weekly home evening
1916 - State and nationwide prohibition
1917 - Thrift and economy
1918 -Service to God and country
1919 - Spiritual growth through attendance at sacrament meetings
1920 - The nonuse and nonsale of tobacco
1921 - Loyal citizenship
1922 - A pure life through clean thought and action
1923 - Divine guidance through individual and family prayer
1924 - The commandment “honor thy father and thy mother”
1925 - An individual testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ
1926 - A testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith
1927 - A fuller knowledge of the Book of Mormon and a testimony of its divine origin
1928 - Law, for the people who live it and the officers who enforce it
1929 - The preservation of our heritage through obedience to law
1930 - Loyal adherence to Latter-day Saint ideals
1931 - Physical, mental, and spiritual health, through observance of the Word of Wisdom
1932 - Enrichment of life through constructive use of leisure and personal service to fellowmen
1933 - Inspired by the refining influences of Mormonism, we will develop the gifts within us
1934 - By my actions, I will prove my allegiance to the Church
1935 - Spirituality and happiness in the home
Themes
1936 -“Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45).
1937 - “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
“He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation” (Psalm 24:3–5).
1938 -“By love serve one another.
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Galatians 5:13–14).
1939 - “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).
1940 - “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
“Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
“When thou goest, it shall lead thee; and when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee” (Proverbs 6:20-22).
1941 - “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise” (Doctrine and Covenants 82:10).
1942 - “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).
1943 - “Let us all do the will of our Father in heaven today, and we will then be prepared for the duty of tomorrow, also for the eternities which are to come” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant [2011], 30).
1944 - “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
1945 - “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry” (Psalm 34:13-15).
1946 - “Let every one get a knowledge for himself that this work is true. . . . Then let every person say: ‘I will live my religion. . . . I will walk humbly before my God and deal honestly with my fellow beings’” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 429).
1947 -“If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life” (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7).
1948 - “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).
1949 - “How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter” (“The Message of the First Presidency to the Church,” Improvement Era, May 1942, 273).
1950 - “Learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God” (Alma 37:35).
1951 - “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; . . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
1952 - “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
1953 - “Abide ye in the liberty wherewith ye are made free; entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:86).
1954 - “Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:7).
1955 - “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).
1956 - “Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works” (Jacob 4:10).
1957 - “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent” (John 17:3).
1958 - “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
1959 - “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
1960 -“Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (Doctrine and Covenants 112:10).
1961 - “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7).
1962 - “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him” (Doctrine and Covenants 59:5).
1963 - “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 10:4).
1964 - “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors” (Alma 34:32).
1965 - “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).
1966 - “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
“And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21).
1967 - “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:18).
1968 - “Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life” (2 Nephi 10:23).
1969 - “For the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled” (Mormon 8:22).
1970 - “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” (Articles of Faith 1:13).
1971 - “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly” (Doctrine and Covenants 90:24).
Themes were discontinued after 1971 and then reinstated in 1980.
1980 - “Search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil” (Moroni 7:19).
A young woman learns gospel principles and how to apply them in her life. She learns to make correct choices and to stand up against evil, even when no one else does.
1981 - “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
A young woman gains confidence and strength as she learns to live by the Spirit. She knows she has a precious place in our Heavenly Father’s kingdom and that she need not be afraid.
1982 - “The Lord is the strength of my life” (Psalm 27:1).
A young woman becomes closer to the Lord as she learns to trust in Him and His plan for her. She develops Christlike qualities. She understands who she is and prepares herself to make a difference in the world.
1983 - “Behold, my joy is full” (3 Nephi 17:20; Jesus’s statement to the faithful Nephites).
This is the year—for the young woman to count her blessings and be of good cheer as she finds ways to share with others some of the abundant blessings she has received. She realizes that joy comes from faithfulness and discovers how much more full her joy can be as she learns to put the principles of these themes into her life.
1984 - “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded” (1 Nephi 3:7).
Doing denotes action. These words of Nephi remind young women that it isn’t enough to know the gospel. They must also live the gospel. As we learn line upon line and precept upon precept, our lives should be changed and our knowledge translated into good deeds. As President Spencer W. Kimball has often said, “Do it!”
1985 - 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 make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.
2001, 2008 - 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.
2019 - I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I strive to become like Him. I seek and act upon personal revelation and minister to others in His holy name.
I will stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.
As I strive to qualify for exaltation, I cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day. With faith, I will strengthen my home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, and receive the ordinances and blessings of the holy temple.
Motto
1904 - Improvement our motto; perfection our aim
1925 - The glory of God is intelligence
1989 - Stand for truth and righteousness
Gleaner Sheaf
1930 - I will gather “treasures of truth”!
1937-72 - “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
“He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation” (Psalm 24:3-5).
I, a Gleaner, from this season’s gleaning, shall come forth bearing my fourfold sheaf:
First, I shall bring a clean body—nothing forbidden shall enter it—no corruption shall touch it. It is my surety of eternal joy.
Second, I shall bring from my gleaning a pure heart. From it shall flow high ideals, pure thoughts, clean speech, righteous actions. By the pure eye of faith I shall see God.
Third, from my season’s gleaning I shall bring an humble, obedient spirit.
I shall obey God’s laws with delight.
I shall honor my womanhood.
I shall intelligently, diligently, and prayerfully perform my duties. I shall know God.
Fourth, from season’s gleaning I shall bring an honest mind.
I shall not bear false witness.
I shall speak truly.
I shall honor my word.
I shall learn the truth and the truth shall make me free.
Thus, bearing my fourfold sheaf, I shall hope to ascend into the hill of the Lord and stand in his holy place; then shall I receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of my salvation.”
Young Women Values (Fields)/Colors/Symbols
In 1915 the Bee-Hives began to focus on seven fields of study: religion, health, service, home, out-of-doors, handicrafts, and business. In 1954 they added the two additional fields of knowledge and truth. At that time, several changes were made to the original seven fields: home became womanhood, handicraft became field of work, religion became faith, out-of-doors included beauty, and business was changed to join in the field. Changes were again made in 1974.
In 1922 the Mutual Improvement Association (Young Women and Young Men MIA) selected the colors of the MIA to be gold and green. Gold stood for power and glory, and green stood for youth and growth.
In 1954 the Young Women organization selected different colors and symbols for each of the values. These changed in 1985. At that time, the symbol of the torch with the Young Women motto “Stand for truth and righteousness” was created for the entire organization.
In the 1980s values changed to reflect the needs of the young women. Temple attendance began to be increasingly emphasized, as did education. Goals were focused more on the values themselves rather than on attendance and participation.
1954
| Value | Color |
| Faith | Purple |
| Knowledge | Rose |
| Health | Red |
| Womanhood | Orange |
| Beauty | Green |
| Work | Brown |
| Truth | Navy Blue |
| Service | White |
| Joy | Gold |
1974
| Value | Color |
| Spiritual Awareness | Rose |
| Service and Compassion | Orange |
| Homemaking Arts | Green |
| Recreation and the World of Nature | Blue |
| Cultural Arts and Education | Peach |
| Personal and Social Refinement | Gold |
1985
| Value | Color |
| Faith | White |
| Divine Nature | Blue |
| Individual Worth | Red |
| Knowledge | Green |
| Choice and Accountability | Orange |
| Good Works | Yellow |
| Integrity | Purple |
| Virtue (added 2009) | Gold |
Young Women Jewelry/Bandlos
Jewelry and bandlos have been used in the Young Women organization to demonstrate completion of personal development activities. Young women often had to purchase their own jewelry and awards, and parents were discouraged from purchasing the awards for them. Wards and branches then purchased the jewelry for the young women who were completing the Personal Progress program. As of 2020, young women receive a medallion from their class presidency. The following list is not comprehensive but a starting place for your research. If a photograph is available, it is linked.
1915-44 - Bee-Hive chain
Builder—Bracelet
Gatherers of Honey—Second bracelet, could be combined with the Builder to form a collar
Guardians of the Treasure—Seal that completed the chain
1921-78 - Bee-Hive pin—Gold-colored bee. During the 25th anniversary, a special silver bee was created
1949-70 - Bee-Hive charm bracelet—Seven charms, one for each field (value) and an extra one for the Honor Bee
1972-74 - Bee pin or charm—Meant to replace the Honor Bee charm
1950-59 - Silver Gleaner pin—Sterling-silver G, could be used as a guard for the Golden Gleaner pin
1940-74 - Golden Gleaner pin—Gold pin with black enamel, pearls, and a sapphire, two interlocking Gs
1925-50 - Junior pin—Gold-plated ornated letter J
1950-78 - Mia Maid pin—Gold-plated with black- or white-enameled background with different colors of roses and the name “Mia Maid”
1959-78 - Laurel locket—Necklace with gold finish and faux pearl, included an oval with a branch of laurel leaves and a pearl on top of one of the leaves
1971-74 - Seven-year medallion—Personal Achievement Program
1977–89 - Young Womanhood Recognition medallion (see image in introduction)
1989-2019 - Young Women torch pendant
1989–2002 - Young Woman of Truth medallion
1989-2002 - Young Woman of Promise medallion
1989-2002 - Young Woman of Faith medallion
1989-2002 - Young Womanhood Recognition medallion (silhouette of a young woman)
2002-09 - Young Womanhood Recognition medallion (image of spires of a temple)
2010-19 - Young Womanhood Recognition medallion (beehive, rose, and wreath centered with a ruby)
2010-19 Honor Bee charm
2020 - Young Women medallion
1934-1970 - Blue Bandlo—Used to put merit badges, emblems, seals, awards, honor badges, and bee lines
Young Women Music
Music has been a part of the Young Women organization from its inception—from songs emphasizing the themes of the Young Women classes to celebrations of the centennial of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Songs can be found in manuals and publications. Below is a sampling of some of the music that has been used in the Young Women organization. This list is not comprehensive but a starting place for your research.
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Notes
Notes
1. For many years it has been disputed as to when the Young Women organization began. While early publications list 1869 as the creation date, historians now recognize May 28, 1870, as the official date of the organization of the Young Ladies’ Department of the Ladies’ Cooperative Retrenchment Association.
2. Ladies Cooperative Retrenchment Association minutes, May 28, 1870, in Zina Card Brown family collection, 1806–1972, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
3. Susa Young Gates papers, circa 1870–1933, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
4. Guide to the First Year’s Course of Study in the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association (Salt Lake City: George Q. Cannon and Sons, 1895).
5. Salt Lake Liberty Stake Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association minutes and records, 1904–1973, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
6. Granite Stake Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association minutes and records, 1909–1969, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
7. “Wedding announcement: Mrs. Y.L. General Board announces the marriage of her daughter Miss Young Woman’s Journal and Mr. Improvement Era on Saturday, June the eighth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine,” June 1929, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
8. “Presidents of the Young Women Organization through the Years,” Ensign, June 2008, 40–45.
9. “Report of June Conference ,” Ensign, Aug. 1975, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
10. Spencer W. Kimball, “Privileges and Responsibilities of Sisters ,” Ensign, Nov. 1978, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
11. “Young Women Organizations,” Church History Topics, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
12. “300,000 Young Women Send Balloons Messages of Hope Worldwide ,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
13. “Young Women Fireside Telecast ,” Ensign, Dec. 1987, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
14. “Young Women Celebration: A Challenge to Greatness ,” Tambuli, Dec. 1989, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
15. “Worldwide Young Women Plan Activity ,” Ensign, Oct. 1992, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
16. “New Young Women Camp Manual Produced ,” Ensign, May 1993, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
17. “Revised Resources to Strengthen Youth ,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 110–11.
18. “Message to the Youth from the First Presidency ,” in For the Strength of the Youth (2011), i–iv.
19. Elaine S. Dalton, “Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Young Women Camp ,” New Era, June 2012, 24–27.
20. Bonnie H. Cordon, “Beloved Daughters ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 67–70.
21. Find an FSY Event,ChurchofJesusChrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth/fsy .
22. Elaine Cannon, “Themes Chart Course,” Church News, Jan. 23, 1982.
2. Ladies Cooperative Retrenchment Association minutes, May 28, 1870, in Zina Card Brown family collection, 1806–1972, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
3. Susa Young Gates papers, circa 1870–1933, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
4. Guide to the First Year’s Course of Study in the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association (Salt Lake City: George Q. Cannon and Sons, 1895).
5. Salt Lake Liberty Stake Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association minutes and records, 1904–1973, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
6. Granite Stake Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association minutes and records, 1909–1969, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
7. “Wedding announcement: Mrs. Y.L. General Board announces the marriage of her daughter Miss Young Woman’s Journal and Mr. Improvement Era on Saturday, June the eighth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine,” June 1929, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.
8. “Presidents of the Young Women Organization through the Years,” Ensign, June 2008, 40–45.
9. “
10. Spencer W. Kimball, “
11. “Young Women Organizations,” Church History Topics, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
12. “
13. “
14. “
15. “
16. “
17. “
18. “
19. Elaine S. Dalton, “
20. Bonnie H. Cordon, “
21. Find an FSY Event,
22. Elaine Cannon, “Themes Chart Course,” Church News, Jan. 23, 1982.