Young Women

Young Women

Young women ages 12 to 17 belong to the ward’s Young Women organization. The purpose of this organization is to help young women build their testimonies of Christ and prepare to receive the blessings of the temple. The Young Women organization also prepares them for their future roles as women in the Church and as contributing members of society.

The bishop calls exemplary adult women in the ward to serve as the presidency and advisers in the Young Women organization. The young women meet on Sundays for gospel instruction and during the week for social, service, or cultural activities. During these meeting times—and in their personal time—young women also participate in a program called Personal Progress by setting and achieving goals in eight value areas.

Relief Society

Relief Society

All women in the ward ages 18 and older, as well as women younger than 18 who are married or are single mothers, belong to the Relief Society organization. The purpose of Relief Society is to organize, teach, and inspire women to prepare them for the blessings of eternal life. Members of the Relief Society fulfill this purpose by increasing faith and personal righteousness, strengthening families and homes, and seeking out and helping those in need.

The bishop calls exemplary women in the ward to serve as the Relief Society presidency, which typically consists of a president and two counselors, supported by a secretary. Additional instructors and coordinators may also be called. The Relief Society meets on Sundays for gospel instruction and has additional meetings outside of Sunday as determined by the Relief Society president and the bishop.

The Relief Society organization also provides an individualized support network that gives women the opportunity to care for, strengthen, and teach one another. In this program, called visiting teaching, each woman is assigned two other women who visit her home each month to give a religious message and offer help as needed.