"Four Ways to Help Young Women One by One"

Workshop presentation given at the fall 2004 Young Women open house by Julie B. Beck and Elaine S. Dalton, counselors in the Young Women general presidency.

1. One by one: Have a vision for each young woman.

• "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39).
• Young Women leaders help a young woman to come unto Christ by planning lessons and activities that give her a testimony of her identity as a daughter of God; teach her to qualify for the promptings of, rely on, and recognize the Spirit in her life; help prepare her for future responsibilities as wife, mother, and leader; and help her keep the covenants she has made and prepare her to make and keep temple covenants. (Click on image to enlarge.)

2. One by one: Young women must be our priority.

• On Sundays, we teach young women, not "lessons." At Mutual, we help young women participate rather than "plan activities." We help a young woman make progress toward the temple rather than get her to "do Personal Progress."
• Checklists should always be oriented on the side of a young woman. When events, lessons, and activities become more important than the growth and testimony of a girl, then priorities are oriented on the wrong side of the list. (Click on image to enlarge.)

3. One by one: Bring young women into activity.

• "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life" (3 Nephi 5:13).
• Young Women leaders may need to be persistent in inviting young women to participate, as exemplified in the story of Fernando Araujo as told by Elder Mervyn B. Arnold in the April 2004 priesthood session of general conference (see "Strengthen Thy Brethren," Ensign, May 2004, 46). (Click on images to enlarge.)

4. One by one: Raise expectations for young women.

• The Savior set the example of trusting young people and having high expectations for them as exemplified in His trust of the boy Joseph Smith.
• "We can expect more, not less, of youth. . . . It begins with expectations, yours and theirs" (Elder Henry B. Eyring, CES satellite training broadcast, reported in Church News, Aug. 7, 2004).
• Young Women leaders can teach and lead with the help of the Holy Ghost (see Alma 32:23; 2 Nephi 31:13; Moroni 6:9).