THE HISTORY OF YOUNG WOMEN
Brigham Young Organizes the Young Women (1869)
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 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 " (in Janet Peterson and LaRene Gaunt, Keepers of the Flame [1993], xi).
First Young Women General Presidency Organized (1880)
From 1869 to 1880, the new Young Women organization functioned at the local level, without a general presidency. Ella Young Empey was the first president at the local level, and other local associations were also organized.
In 1877, the organization's name was changed to Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association (abbreviated YLMIA) as a companion name to the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA), which had been founded in 1875.
On June 19, 1880, the first general presidency of the YLMIA was organized under the direction of President John Taylor, with Elmina Shepard Taylor as general president. Click on the links below for information about each general president and notable events in Young Women history.
YOUNG WOMEN CLASSES AND SYMBOLS:
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. This 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. |
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 live the Young Women values, which are:
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 & Accountability-Good Works-Integrity-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.
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). |
YOUNG WOMEN VALUES