What Should I Focus On?
My Calling as a Young Women Secretary
Lead in the Savior’s Way
You are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discipleship includes teaching, leading, and serving others. President Henry B. Eyring taught, “You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands” (“Rise to Your Call,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 76).
The following leadership principles will help you as you seek to bless the young women in your ward:
- Prepare spiritually.
- Counsel together.
- Minister to others.
- Teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Administer the organization.
For more information, see Handbook 2, 3.2.
Know and Love Each Young Woman
As you come to know and love the young women you are called to serve, you can help them progress toward lifelong conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Dale G. Renlund gave inspired counsel about loving those you are called to serve:
“In the Church, to effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them” (“Through God’s Eyes,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 94).
You can come to know and love the young women you serve by:
- Praying for each young woman.
- Getting to know each young woman’s interests, strengths, weaknesses, and challenges.
- Reaching out to young women who are new members or are less active (see Handbook 2, 10.3.2).
- Loving each young woman in ways that are suited to her needs.
- Sharing your personal experiences and testimony of the gospel to help guide the young women along the covenant path.
Help Lead the Ward Young Women Organization
- Set an example of love and leadership by (1) providing a welcoming and reverent environment for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and (2) strengthening young women and their families.
- Pray for inspiration. The Holy Ghost will inspire you with ways you can serve the young women, advisers, and activity specialists. Act on the impressions you receive (see Doctrine and Covenants 8:2; 121:26).
- Create a safe environment for young women and their leaders. When adults are teaching young women in Church settings, at least two responsible adults should be present. Be familiar with Church policies and guidelines on preventing and responding to abuse.
Minister to and Support Young Women Leaders
- Minister to leaders with genuine friendship and simple service.
- Help leaders create opportunities for young women to feel and recognize the Spirit, feel Heavenly Father’s love, and learn eternal principles and sacred truths.
Ensure That Accurate Records Are Kept
- Work under the direction of the Young Women president to prayerfully oversee the records, reports, and finances of the Young Women organization.
- Ensure that the records and reports are accurate, and submit the reports on time to the ward clerk (see Leader and Clerk Resources [LCR]; see also Handbook 2, 17.1.8).
- Use these records to help the Young Women presidency better understand the needs of the young women.
- As assigned by the Young Women president, record the progress of individual young women as they participate in the Personal Progress program.