The following suggestions (in bold) were included with the March 19, 2003, First
Presidency letter on transition.
1. Encourage mothers to help their daughters gain an understanding
of the value of Relief Society.
Mothers can do much to help with the transition by talking with daughters
about their expectations and fears. The transition will also be more
successful as mothers and Young Women leaders speak positively about
Relief Society.
2. Assign a Relief Society counselor the specific responsibility
of working with young adult women until they successfully make the
transition into Relief Society.
The assigned counselor could learn about the needs of each young adult
woman by visiting with her mother and Young Women leaders. Young Women
leaders can help by working closely with the assigned Relief Society
counselor. It may also be helpful to call a Relief Society mentor or
young adult specialist to assist.
3. Provide new members of the Relief Society with meaningful callings,
visiting teaching, and compassionate service assignments.
Young adult women will feel needed and welcomed as they have opportunities
to contribute by using the skills they bring, such as team teaching a
lesson, sharing musical ability, or using computer skills. This can be
further enhanced by assigning young adult women to serve as visiting
teaching companions to mature sisters.
4. Have the Young Women and Relief Society sisters meet together
occasionally in home, family, and personal enrichment meeting, with
planning under the direction both auxiliaries.
Combined enrichment meetings provide opportunities to build friendships
between young women and Relief Society sisters while teaching important
homemaking and provident living skills.
5. Emphasize provident living, homemaking, and personal application
of gospel principles in Mutual activities.
Leaders should plan Mutual activities that teach the young women skills
for their future roles and help them look forward to Relief Society.
When possible, mothers and other Relief Society sisters could assist
in the teaching.