Policies and Procedures

“In the past, girls have received a seal on their awards indicating the number of awards received to date. From now on, a girl will receive a seal on her award only if she has attended sacrament meeting, Sunday School, and MIA 75 percent of the time. Thus, a girl may qualify for a Personal Achievement Award if the bishop feels she has fulfilled her personal goals, but not qualify for the seal unless she has a 75 percent attendance record.

“The seven-year medallion will be issued only to those girls who have qualified for seven Personal Achievement Awards and seven attendance seals. This policy becomes effective for each girl at her first birthday interview on or after November 1, 1971.”

“The Word of Wisdom, section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants, [D&C 89] remains as to terms and specifications as found in that section. There has been no official interpretation of that Word of Wisdom except that which was given by the Brethren in the very early days of the Church when it was declared that ‘hot drinks’ meant tea and coffee.

“With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never officially taken a position on this matter, but the leaders of the Church have advised, and we do now specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing harmful habit-forming drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided.”

Based on the theory that if we know what the plan is, we’ll work toward its successful completion, the New Era believes youth will appreciate knowing that elders of the Church are being asked to give special emphasis to three areas: (1) family home evening, (2) scripture study, and (3) family prayer. This is to insure that youth will be well prepared to accept responsibilities as adult members of the Church. Why not plan now to develop yourself in these areas?

“Girls in college are included in the Young Women’s Personal Achievement Program through eighteen years of age. When a girl attends college away from home, she should take with her (1) her journal, (2) the bishop’s copy of her Personal Achievement Summary and Progress Record, and (3) a YWMIA Interview Report of her accumulated attendance and activities since her birthday interview, which she obtains from the Young Women’s secretary. She gives the Personal Achievement Summary and Progress Record to her college-ward bishop, and she gives the YWMIA Interview Report to the YWMIA secretary of the college ward.” A girl’s Personal Record Card (buff colored) is retained in her home ward. The college-ward bishop will help make sure that girls—students and non-students—under nineteen years of age have a Personal Achievement Journal.

“When a girl returns home from college before her birthday year is completed, she should take the following with her: (1) her journal, (2) the bishop’s copy of her Personal Achievement Summary and Progress Record, and (3) a YWMIA Interview Report. She gives the record and report to the appropriate officer in her home ward.

“Many girls may wish to qualify for the seven-year medallion while in college. In order to do so, they must attend 75 percent of all sacrament, Sunday School, and MIA meetings held to qualify for an attendance seal on their seventh Personal Achievement Award. A girl who has received seven awards and seven seals is eligible for the seven-year medallion.”

As many readers know, some wards in the past have combined their MIAs. But under the recently announced correlated programs of the Aaronic Priesthood and the YMMIA, this becomes impractical. So—what about a small MIA? “Where attendance is small in an MIA, extra effort should be given to increasing participation by working with those who are inactive and by having the members invite friends and nonmembers to attend MIA.

“MIA class lessons and activities do not require large groups to be effective. A small class, troop, or post guided by a dedicated, trained, and enthusiastic leader can provide a beneficial and exciting experience. …” Hence, if you attend an MIA where either your class or the total number is small, examine your opportunities for activating friends and introducing the gospel to nonmember friends. The question left for you and your class to resolve is one of who and how.