The Young Women's Organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was founded by my Great Great Great Grandfather Brigham Young in 1869.
Originally, he challenged the new and young charter members, his daughters, to:
- Grow spiritually
- Resist idleness and gossip
- Retrench from the styles of the world in dress and deportment
- Simplicity in living
- Cultivate the mind
17 years later, a training program began to be held the same weekend as General Conference leading to the first annual summer Conference for Young Men and Young Women in 1888.
51 years later, an annual theme was introduced and was to be memorized and recited at each MIA meeting.
70 years later the incentive program was turned over to be recognized in Sacrament meetings to the qualifying youth.
90 years later, the youth began receiving their own insert to the monthly magazine that was already distributed to adult members.
110 years later, the governing board of 12 women encouraged:
- Prepare to perform
- Develop a personal testimony of Jesus
- Study the scriptures
- Share the truth
- Keep personal diaries
- Gather family history and genealogy
- Set educational goals
- Strengthen families
121 years later, the organization was 1 million strong!
In 2008, the theme was updated to say:
We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will 'stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places' (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are: Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue. We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation
I began going to church about 22 years ago when my mother became active again, after many years away. The problem I faced though is the 14 years prior that built a foundation which was very difficult to steer away from. Through highschool I did attend one complete year of seminary, attended some dances, two summers at girls' camp, but I failed to earn my young women's medallion through the Personal Progress program, normally earned from the ages of 12-18. It didn't really bother me until I became a mother and also read through the requirements and realized the importance of the program. Earlier this year, Alyssa and I were introduced to the goal and I knew I must seek after these value experiences and projects - for myself.
75 days ago, I began the final project in the Virtue value. I finished reading the Book of Mormon this morning. I can't stop thinking the words, "there is just no way this book was made up by Joseph Smith, absolutely NO WAY he could have conjured this up." Over the years, I have lived the other life and at the time, I thought I was having a blast. Now, I know what the other side feels like, the better than 'blast' kind of feelings, the eternal kind of happiness called joy. I know this church couldn't have survived the persecutions it did, without the solid support of the Lord Jesus Christ. I feel it, that is why I say I know. I can't deny it, I have tried, trust me. I looked for many ways to opt out, because if you are looking for an easy church to attend, THIS IS NOT THE ONE FOR YOU. This isn't for the faint in heart. It isn't always convenient, fun, or popular either. It is an eternal committment. But through the years, I couldn't stop wondering, why are all these people willing to do all these hard things? What is the big deal anyway? And I just couldn't keep away, I wanted what they had. I wanted to know why they treasured the Book of Mormon and now I do, I know because it feels pure. And so here I am, here to stay, enjoying my journey that HE has given me to experience. I am so grateful for the Personal Progress program that truly enriched my life this year.
This WAS MY year!! I grew. I learned. I felt. I struggled. And now I can say after years of resistance; with a smile, with tears of understanding, with appreciation, and purpose;
I am an eternal companion to my husband,
I am a mother,
I come from divine parentage,
I can do hard things,
I am a Mormon.
Thank you to all those that have supported me through this journey.
Thank you to my noble heritage for living in a way, that I seek to follow and desire to give you honor.
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