New and Returning Member Progress Form The bishop regularly reviews this form in ward council meetings to discuss the progress of each new and returning member. The ward council uses the form to plan specific ways to teach and strengthen new members from the time of their baptism and confirmation until they receive the temple endowment. The ward council also uses portions of this form in planning how to teach and strengthen returning members. This form is also helpful to use for young single adult members.

Notice about Accountability for Young Single Adults A notice regarding accountability for young single adults was sent to priesthood leaders on November 15, 2009. Relief Society presidents should be prepared to track and report attendance of young single adult Relief Society sisters at Relief Society Sunday meetings. For further information, Relief Society presidents should counsel with their priesthood leaders. The report form addresses the responsibility Relief Society presidencies have to look after young single adult sisters. An advisor may be called to work under the direction of the Relief Society counselor assigned to young single adults. The presidency and advisor help watch over and strengthen young single adult sisters. To prepare the young single adults to make a successful transition into Relief Society, the following can be done: Orient: The Relief Society president, counseling with the Young Women president, may meet with the Laurel class and teach them about Relief Society. Minister: A sister may sit with a new Relief Society sister to teach her about Relief Society. Engage: Visiting teachers should be assigned to the young single adult sister, and she should be assigned as a companion with another sister to do visiting teaching.

A Call to All Ward Relief Society Presidents and Sisters In the May 3, 2009, CES fireside Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave the following counsel: “Today I raise an apostolic voice of warning about the potentially stifling, suffocating, suppressing, and constraining impact of some kinds of cyberspace interactions and experiences upon our souls. . . . I plead with you to beware of the sense-dulling and spiritually destructive influence of cyberspace technologies that are used to produce high fidelity and that promote degrading and evil purposes” (“Things as They Really Are,” CES fireside for young adults, May 3, 2009).

Strengthen the Image of the Church In the most recent BYU Women’s Conference, held May 1, 2009, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles asked, “How do we let our light shine in a way we are better understood by those who are not of our faith?” Elder Perry said: “It’s the members that make the image of the Church. There are several things we can do as members to help people become more aware of our beliefs.” Elder Perry suggested that we: Listen. Know the doctrine. Live the standards of the Church. Be exemplary citizens. Be good neighbors. Open our mouth. Extend invitations. Use technology. Be bold but not overbearing. Elder L. Tom Perry, “For the Strength of the Lord: The Image of the Church.”   Additional Resources . . .  "The Influence of Righteous Women," Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Ensign, Sept. 2009 "We Were Both Blessed," Jennifer Coleman, Ensign, Sept. 2009