Welcoming Single Adult Women into Relief Society

When Laurels reach their eighteenth birthday, they are eligible to become members of Relief Society.

The Young Single Adult representative, with the assistance of the ward Relief Society board member responsible for Young Single Adults, is responsible for making these new Relief Society members feel welcome. The Young Women president should assist in making this transition smooth.

This is how the program works: first, the board member responsible for Young Single Adults and the Young Single Adult representative visit the Laurel class to explain the Relief Society program, answer questions, and help the young women become acquainted with their new leaders.

Next, the Relief Society president arranges with the Young Women president to have the Laurels visit and participate in a Relief Society meeting and/or activity. This gives the Laurels the opportunity to become acquainted with other Young Single Adults and Relief Society members.

Each Laurel should be interviewed by her bishop on or near her eighteenth birthday. At this time she could receive the Relief Society brochure, Relief Society—A Blessing for Every Woman, (PXRS4567), which explains the mission of the organization.

As the transition from Laurel to Young Single Adult approaches, the board member responsible for Young Single Adults and the Young Single Adult representative should visit the girl in her home and invite her to Relief Society orientation activities. These special orientations are held periodically to welcome new Relief Society members.

Once the young women are involved in Relief Society, they should be given assignments as visiting teachers, teachers, music leaders, or other appropriate positions.

The Salt Lake Parleys Stake is one of many stakes that have successfully helped young women make the transition to Relief Society. Following are some of the activities they use.

On the last Sunday in June, the Relief Society president, the board member over the Young Single Adults, and the Young Single Adult representative visit the Laurel class to invite them to Relief Society on the following Sunday.

On the first Sunday in July, the Laurel advisor accompanies the graduating Laurels to Relief Society, where the girls are welcomed and introduced. Individual girls are spotlighted in Relief Society in succeeding weeks.

The graduating Laurels are assigned visiting teachers, and are called to serve in the same capacity.

Finally, separate attendance records are kept of the 18- to 21-year-old Young Adult women to be added to the Quarterly Report.