Personal Progress is an inspired program which “helps each young woman understand God’s will for her, encourages her to keep His commandments, and prepares her to make and keep sacred temple covenants.  It provides ways for her to contribute to her home now and prepare for future responsibilities as a faithful woman, wife, mother, and Church leader.  It prepares her to receive her Young Womanhood Recognition.” (GPLY, p.15)  

In 1869 Brigham Young called his daughters together and formed the Young Ladies Department of the Cooperative Retrenchment Association.

Through the years young women have been given the opportunity to make and achieve goals.

In 1915, every female over 14 was a Beehive girl until she entered Relief Society.  There were no Mia Maids, Gleaners, or Laurels.  (Girls ages 12-13 did not become part of the MIA until 1934.)  At this time, the Church established its first systematic awards program for girls. 

In the 1920’s all young women who belonged to the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association were called Beehive girls, regardless of their age.  They were arranged in groups called “swarms,” and their leaders were called Bee Keepers.

Upon entering the Beehive program, 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.”

The Beehive program included three ranks: 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:

• Care successfully for a hive of bees for one season and know their habits.
• Sleep out-of-doors or with wide-open windows.
• During three consecutive months, abstain from candy, ice cream, commercially manufactured beverages, and chewing gum.
• Clear sagebrush, etc. off of a half acre of land.
• Care for at least two kerosene lamps daily.
• Without help or advice, care for and harness a team of horses at least five times; drive 50 miles in one season.
• Identify 12 kinds of lace and tell the reasonable price and appropriate use of each.
• During two weeks, keep the house free from flies or destroy at least 25 flies daily.

In the 1960’s, some of the requirements to earn emblems for the Beehive bandalo included:

• Strive to get your full nine hours beauty sleep each night this month.  Make it a habit!
• Increase your self-confidence by acquiring a good posture (sitting, standing, and walking.)
• Politeness in all things is the mark of a lady.  Practice at home being considerate and polite.  Learn to accept directions graciously.  Conscientiously try to improve.
• Make the dinner hour joyous by improving table manners of the entire family.
• Look for something beautiful every day for two months.

Over the years, the classes, requirements, and awards have dramatically changed.  A young woman today is more likely to make a meal for her family, care for a younger sibling, read her scriptures daily, or learn a piece on the piano.  But the goal of learning to make the world a better place through service and self-improvement has been the same throughout the history of Young Women!