“11. Young Women,” Selections from the General Handbook (2023).

“11. Young Women,” Selections from the General Handbook

11.

Young Women

11.1

Purpose and Organization

11.1.1

Purpose

The Young Women organization helps young women make and keep sacred covenants and deepen their conversion to Jesus Christ and His gospel.

11.1.2

Young Women Theme

“I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.

“As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I strive to become like Him. I seek and act upon personal revelation and minister to others in His holy name.

“I will stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.

“As I strive to qualify for exaltation, I cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day. With faith, I will strengthen my home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, and receive the ordinances and blessings of the holy temple.”

11.1.3

Classes

Young women become members of a Young Women class beginning in January of the year they turn 12.

Bishoprics and adult Young Women leaders prayerfully decide how to organize classes according to age. Each class, regardless of size, should have a president and, where possible, one or two counselors and a secretary.

11.2

Participating in God’s Work of Salvation and Exaltation

11.2.1

Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ

11.2.1.2

Gospel Learning

Class meetings are held on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. They last 50 minutes. A member of the class presidency conducts. She leads the class in reciting the theme and counseling together about assignments and other matters.

A class member or adult leader then leads gospel instruction.

11.2.1.3

Service and Activities

Service and activities should build testimonies, strengthen families, foster class unity, and provide opportunities to bless others.

Some service and activities should include both young men and young women, especially for older youth.

Annual Activities. In addition to regular youth activities, young women may also participate in the following each year:

A Young Women camp (see Young Women Camp Guide).
A ward or stake youth conference or a For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conference.

11.2.1.4

Personal Development

In their efforts to become more like the Savior, youth are invited to set goals to grow spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually (see Luke 2:52).

For more information, see ChildrenandYouth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

11.2.2

Caring for Those in Need

Young women should have regular opportunities to serve others in and with their families, during youth activities, and on their own.

11.2.2.1

Ministering

Young women may receive ministering assignments beginning in January of the year they turn 14. For more information, see chapter 21.

11.2.3

Inviting All to Receive the Gospel

Young women invite all to receive the gospel as they “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9).

Parents and leaders can help young women prepare to share the gospel throughout their lives.

11.2.4

Uniting Families for Eternity

Young women can help unite families for eternity in many ways.

Honor their parents and set an example of Christlike living in their home.
Prepare to receive temple ordinances, including eternal marriage.
Identify ancestors who need temple ordinances (see FamilySearch.org).
Participate in baptisms and confirmations for the dead as often as circumstances allow.

11.3

Ward Young Women Leadership

11.3.1

Bishopric

The bishop’s foremost responsibility is to care for the rising generation in his ward. He and his counselors learn their names and understand their home circumstances. They meet with each young woman at least twice a year (see 31.3.1).

The bishop has responsibility for the ward Young Women organization. He meets regularly with the Young Women president.

The bishop and his counselors regularly participate in Young Women meetings, service, and activities.

11.3.2

Adult Young Women Presidency

The bishop calls and sets apart an adult woman to serve as the ward Young Women president. If the unit is large enough, she recommends one or two adult women to be called as her counselors (see chapter 30).

In a small unit, the Young Women president may be the only called adult leader in the Young Women organization. In this case, she works with parents to organize instruction and activities for the young women.

If a branch does not have a Young Women president, the Relief Society president may organize instruction for the young women until a Young Women president is called.

The Young Women president has the following responsibilities. Her counselors assist her.

Serve on the ward council.
Serve as a member of the ward youth council (see 29.2.6).
Minister to individual young women.
Teach other Young Women leaders and class presidencies their responsibilities.
Counsel with young women about challenges that do not require the bishop or involve abuse (see 32.3, 31.3.1, and 38.6.2).

11.3.4

Class Presidency and Secretary

11.3.4.1

Calling, Sustaining, and Setting Apart

Each Young Women class should have a class presidency.

A member of the bishopric calls a young woman to serve as a class president. When there are enough young women to serve, she prayerfully considers class members to recommend as counselors and a secretary.

After extending these callings, a member of the bishopric presents the young women to their class for sustaining. The bishop or an assigned counselor sets the young women apart.

11.3.4.2

Responsibilities

Class presidents serve on the ward youth council (see 11.3.4.4). Class presidencies also have the following responsibilities:

Lead the class’s efforts to participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation (see chapter 1).
Get to know and serve each young woman, including those who do not attend class meetings.
Plan and conduct Sunday class meetings (see 11.2.1.2).
Plan and carry out class service and activities (see 11.2.1.3).

11.3.4.3