Beth Briggs is not unlike many other Laurels making the transition from Young Women to Relief Society. She was a little apprehensive, unsure of what to expect. Then she began attending a few lessons and activities with her mother and she quickly recognized that among the divergent backgrounds and ages in the room, there was one dominant similarity. "We are all here to learn about the gospel."
So, like her mother and grandmother before her, Beth, a member of the Huckleberry Ward, Syracuse Utah Bluff Stake, will graduate from high school this spring and enter the world of Relief Society sisterhood.
This time in a young woman's life is of such importance that the First Presidency issued a letter dated Feb. 23, 2007, to general and local priesthood leaders emphasizing their desire "that every young woman make the transition into Relief Society successfully. This continues to be a concern. This process begins well before a young woman turns 18, and it should continue after she enters Relief Society."
The First Presidency letter encourages parents, bishoprics and Young Women and Relief Society leaders to "work together to strengthen young women in this transition. The ward council is an ideal setting to coordinate these efforts."
This "cadre of caring adults," as Young Women General President Susan W. Tanner described it, is paramount in the lives of these young women as they become young single adults. Sister Tanner and Relief Society General President Bonnie D. Parkin met with the Church News to discuss this transition and their enthusiasm for the First Presidency letter.
Referring to the "Suggestions for Helping Young Women with the Transition into Womanhood" listed on back of the First Presidency letter, Sister Tanner spoke of the need for positive adult mentors, role models in the lives of these young people as they enter perhaps the most challenging times of their lives — a time of adult decisions as they leave home, get jobs, perhaps serve missions, enter colleges and universities, and prepare for temple covenants. (Please see box on this page for a list of suggestions.)
"It has everything to do with testimony," she added. "The Young Women years are tenuous years, they're questioning years, they're discovery years. (As they make the transition to womanhood, as the letter states), they've got to have some support. They need priesthood support. They've got to have
reaching out hands from Relief Society saying, 'We love you. We understand you. We're here to help you move to this next step whatever it is."'
Sister Parkin has observed the positive impact of priesthood and auxiliary leaders' support in the lives of young women entering Relief Society. This support, she emphasized, makes a "huge difference. They know who they are. They know they're daughters of Heavenly Father and that they are in the process of making eternal covenants."
Both general presidents urged local auxiliary leaders to remember the importance of priesthood direction in the coordination of efforts in helping young women make the transition to Relief Society. Sister Parkin related the concern of a stake president who counseled local priesthood leaders to meet with and interview young women and their mothers.
It is by these "small and simple things," Sister Parkin and Sister Tanner explained, that this transition to womanhood occurs successfully — 10 minutes of reaching out during monthly joint opening exercises on Sunday, inviting Laurels to attend Home, Family and Personal Enrichment meetings, and having an 18-year-old join another Relief Society sister for visiting teaching.
Sister Tanner recalled a visiting teaching assignment with her daughter to visit an older sister who was ill. Just hours later, the older sister died. "I remember just the connection that we had, and we could talk about how we felt."
New friendships and new attitudes are formed when young women fresh from the Young Women program serve and learn side-by-side with Relief Society sisters, Sister Tanner added. "We visit and we get to know one another, and we think, 'She feels the way I do."'
That's what Crystal Yung, 17, of the Union Square 1st Ward, New York New York Stake, has learned during her last year in high school. Playing the piano for joint opening exercises for Young Women and Relief Society has not only given her the opportunity to share her talents but also to make new friends. In years past, she would peek in the Relief Society room during lessons and thought everyone looked so serious. Now she thinks Relief Society, especially enrichment night, is fun.
When going into Relief Society, she feels "someone cares."
All of these "small and simple things" come down to two important results, said Sister Tanner and Sister Parkin. Families — present and future — are strengthened and young women are invited to come unto Christ.
"We are tied together by families," Sister Parkin added. "Heaven will be organized by families, not by auxiliaries."
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