Young Women's Values

                Parents, grandparents, and other leaders can strengthen our families by studying the Young Women values. These standards are part of program known as Personal Progress. The eight values or standards in the program are faith in Jesus Christ, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity, and virtue.

                The Personal Progress program was instituted for young women ages 12-18. Even though the program was started for young women, it is now open to mothers, grandmothers, and all adult women. I started the program a few years ago with my daughter, who was a Young Women leader. Now, I am slowly working my way through it with my two oldest granddaughters.

                I appreciate the introduction to the Personal Progress program that is found inside the front cover of the pamphlet. The statement is as follows.

                You are a beloved daughter of Heavenly Father, prepared to come to the earth at this particular time for a sacred and glorious purpose. You have a noble responsibility to use your strength and influence for good. Your loving Heavenly Father has blessed you with talents and abilities that will help you fulfill your divine mission. As you learn to accept and act upon the Young Women values in your life, you will form personal habits of prayer, scripture study, obedience to the commandments, and service to others. These daily personal habits will strengthen your faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ. They will also allow you to recognize and develop your unique gifts.

                Always use your influence to lift and bless your family, other young women, and the young men with whom you associate. Honor womanhood, support the priesthood, and cherish faithful motherhood and fatherhood.

                As you participate in Personal Progress, you join with thousands of other young women who are striving to come unto Christ and “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9). Counsel with your parents, and prayerfully choose goals that will help you cultivate feminine attributes, strengthen your testimony, and reach your divine potential. Take advantage of your time in Young Women by preparing to receive the sacred ordinances of the temple, to become a faithful wife and mother, and to strengthen your home and family.

                The Personal Progress program is not just for young women because it can help women of all ages to set goals and become better people. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the Personal Progress program. Even though I do some of the challenges as my regular personal chores, I find that completing the requirements makes me think about what I do and why I do it.

                I recommend that all young women participate in the Personal Progress program. I also encourage women who did not have the opportunity at a previous time to set a goal of completing the program. I know that as we work and set goals in the program, we will strengthen not only ourselves but also our families, communities, and nations.