Young Women
Getting Started

“Getting Started,” My Calling as a Young Women Adviser or Specialist (2020).

“Getting Started,” My Calling as a Young Women Adviser or Specialist.

My Calling as a Young Women Adviser or Specialist

Getting Started

From the Young Women General Presidency

Image
Young Women General Presidency, 2018

Dear ward Young Women adviser or specialist,

Thank you for accepting the call to serve in Young Women. We know that Heavenly Father loves His daughters, and He loves you! He will bless you as you draw nearer to Him and help the young women you serve do the same.

This is a glorious time to serve the young women of the Church. President Russell M. Nelson has called on our youth to be active participants in the work of salvation and exaltation. Your calling is not a list of things to do for young women; it is an opportunity to guide and nurture young women as they become covenant women of God.

Their time in the Young Women program is a time for them to gain confidence in their ability to:

  • Seek and act upon personal revelation.

  • Strive to become like our Savior, Jesus Christ, learn of Him, and cherish the gift of repentance made possible through His infinite Atonement.

  • Minister to one another with Christlike love.

  • Stand as witnesses of God “at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as they actively engage in gathering Israel and accomplishing the work of salvation and exaltation.

You will recognize these principles from the inspired Young Women theme (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) we repeat each time we gather.

This is the Lord’s work, and He will assist you. Heavenly Father will help you to see His precious daughters as He sees them. He will direct you and magnify your efforts as you devote your time and love to the work. We pray that you will feel the joy of working with young women and the peace of serving the Lord to the best of your ability.

With love,

Bonnie H. Cordon

Michelle D. Craig

Rebecca L. Craven

The Young Women General Presidency

Image
Young Women Theme data-Poster Updated

You Are Not Alone

You have been called and set apart to assist the Young Women class presidency. Together you mentor, guide, and nurture the young women in your ward or branch.

What would the Savior want you to know as a Young Women adviser or specialist?

  • You are “a beloved daughter of heavenly parents” (Young Women theme).

  • “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).

  • “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63).

  • Love the young women (see John 13:34–35). Try to see them as the Savior does.

  • “Feed my sheep” (see John 21:15–17). You have been called to help teach Young Women class presidencies how to lead. Help them increase their capacity to receive revelation for their callings.

  • Minister to the young women. “Succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (Doctrine and Covenants 81:5).

  • “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). You have been given by one holding priesthood keys priesthood authority to fulfill your calling. (You don’t want to miss reading General Handbook, 3.4.3.1, ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) You are called to assist the Savior in His work of salvation and exaltation (see General Handbook, 1.4).

What additional scriptures can you find to inspire you in your calling as a leader?

Image
Social interaction

Where to Start

Before You Are Sustained

  • Seek guidance from the Spirit through prayer, scripture study, fasting, and if possible, temple attendance.

  • Read “Young Women,” chapter 11 in the General Handbook, especially the section on the purpose of the Young Women organization (see 11.1.1) and the Young Women theme (see 11.1.2). Also review chapters 1–4 in the General Handbook. Make the General Handbook a revelatory resource for your calling.

  • If you have been called as a camp specialist, study the Young Women Camp Guide (2018).

After You Are Sustained and Set Apart as an Adviser

See General Handbook, 11.3.5

  • Complete the training course found at ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org to ensure the safety of children and youth. You are required to renew this training every three years (see General Handbook, 11.6.1).

  • Remember that your family is your first priority.

  • Watch over the Young Women. You are called to help a member of the Young Women presidency with a specific class of young women. At least two responsible adult women should be present at each class meeting, activity, and presidency meeting.

  • Support and guide class presidencies as they learn and carry out their responsibilities.

  • Teach Sunday lessons as assigned by the class presidency. Help young women who have been invited to teach a lesson to effectively prepare and teach.

  • Attend class activities and assist as invited by the class presidency.

  • Attend ward Young Women presidency meetings when invited.

  • Help the Young Women presidency with their responsibilities.

After You Are Sustained and Set Apart as a Specialist

See General Handbook, 11.3.6

  • You must complete the training course found at ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org to ensure the safety of children and youth. You are required to renew this training every three years (see General Handbook, 11.6.1).

  • You will be called to assist with a particular event, such as a camp, a youth conference, or sports (see General Handbook, 11.3.6).

  • You serve under the direction of the ward Young Women presidency (see General Handbook, 11.3.6).