Young Women Class Purpose Statement, Names, and Symbols

A new requirement for the annual New Beginnings program is to teach young women and their parents about the Young Women class purpose statement, names, and symbols.  Here’s what the handbook says: “[New Beginnings]helps young women and their parents learn about the Young Women program. It includes an explanation of Personal Progress and a presentation of the Young Women theme, logo, motto, and age-group purpose statements and symbols.”

Here’s the information you need to collect for a presentation on the class symbols:

Laurels – Wreath

 Purpose Statement: For centuries, the leaves of the laurel tree have symbolized honor and accomplishment, especially when woven into a crown.

As a member of a Laurel class today, a young woman prepares to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple.

Members of the Laurel class are ages 16-18.

Mia Maids – Rose

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Purpose Statement: The term Mia refers to the Mutual Improvement Association (MIA), which was once the name of the youth program in the Church. The word Maid means young woman. The Mutual Improvement Association adopted the rose as an emblem of their organization, and that emblem continues with Mia Maids today as a symbol of love, faith, and purity.

As a member of a Mia Maid class today, a young woman strengthens her testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, accepts and acts upon the Young Women values, and learns about love, faith, and purity.

Members of the Mia Maids are ages 14-15.

Beehives – Beehive

 Purpose Statement: For the early pioneers of the Church, the beehive was a symbol of harmony, cooperation, and work. When the young women of the Church were first organized as a group, they were known as Beehives.

As a member of a Beehive class today, a young woman strengthens her faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and learns to work with others in harmony and cooperation. This is a time for her to stand for truth and righteousness and “arise and shine forth” (D&C 115:5).

Members of the Beehive class have graduated Primary, and are ages 12-13.  12-year old Beehives attend Primary during the Sunday School (secondhour

Other Resources

• Check out the Class Presidency section for lots of leadership training ideas and the responsibilities of the class leaders.
• I created a YW Class Symbols Bookmark you can use to present this information easily during New Beginnings.
• Someone has created a slideshow of their presentation for the above New Beginnings requirements at Slideshare.net. It’s pretty cool, and it’s generic enough you could use it for your activity, too.
• If you’re interested in a little more history, YW Connection has a cute article with some additional information on the history of the YW class names. The story about the bees at the beach is pretty funny.

**Note** In 2010 there was an update to the old class purpose statements and logos.  “The [purpose] statements on the Young Women Theme Card regarding the age-groups Beehive, Mia Maid, and Laurel replace the mottos and statements in the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2.” (YW Questions and Answers, January 27, 2010)

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