Young Ladies’ National Mutual Improvement Association PresidentsPresidents ELMINA ofof thethe YoungYoung SHEPHERD TAYLOR 1880–1904 WomenWomen “The aim of the leaders of this move- ment has been to cultivate every gift and grace of true womanhood, rec- ognizing the fact that it is not the OrganizationOrganization outward appearance but the forces which gather within the soul that go to develop the individual.” throughthrough thethe YearsYears (Young Woman’s Journal, May 1891, 383) Events YOUNG WOMEN PROGRAM ESTABLISHED NOVEMBER 28, 1869, 1889 – First issue of the monthly Young BY PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG FOR HIS DAUGHTERS Woman’s Journal is published. “I desire [our girls] to retrench from their 1893 – Tuesday night is designated as extravagance in dress, in eating and even in Mutual night. speech. The time has come when the sisters 1898 – Traveling MIA libraries are begun. BY KENNETH A. CORBETT; PORTRAIT OF ELMINA SHEPHERD TAYLOR COURTESY OF THE MUSEUM PORTRAIT OF ELMINA SHEPHERD TAYLOR KENNETH A.BY CORBETT; must agree . to set an example before the 1902 – Joint opening exercises are held for people of the world worthy of imitation. young men and young women. I want you to set your own fashions . and set the style for all the rest of the world. I want my daughters to learn to work and to do it. There is need for the young daughters of Israel to get a living testimony of the truth. MOSES, AMERICA’S BRIGHAM YOUNG, I wish our girls to obtain a knowledge of the Gospel for themselves. For this purpose I desire to establish . a Retrenchment Association, which I want you all to join, and I want you to vote to retrench in . everything that is bad and worthless, and improve in everything that is good and beautiful. Not to make yourselves unhappy, but to live so that you may be truly happy in this life and the life to come.” President Brigham Young (1801–77), quoted in Susa Young Gates, History of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association (1911), 8–10. PHOTOGRAPHS BY KELLY LARSEN AND MATTHEW REIER; LARSEN AND MATTHEW KELLY BY PHOTOGRAPHS JOHN CLAWSON BY FOX PORTRAITS OF MARTHA HORNE TINGEY AND RUTH MAY AND ART; OF CHURCH HISTORY 40 on Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association MARTHA RUTH HORNE MAY TINGEY FOX 1904–29 1929–37 “My heart is with the Mutual “Ever since I could understand, the Improvement work. I love the youth of gospel has meant everything to me. Zion, and I am anxious that . they It has been my very breath, my man- may become a mighty army for righ- tle of protection against temptation, teousness in the kingdom of God.” my consolation in sorrow, my joy (Quoted in Thomas C. Romney, “Martha Horne and glory throughout all my days, Tingey,” Instructor, July 1950, 199) and my hope of eternal life. ‘The Events Kingdom of God or nothing’ has – Liberty Stake holds first summer 1912 been my motto.” camp for girls. (Quoted in Janet Peterson and LaRene Gaunt, 1913 – First Churchwide speech and other Keepers of the Flame [1993], 49) contests are held during June conference. Events 1913 – Beehive girls program is organized. 1930 – The song “Carry On,” written by 1920 – YLMIA operates Beehive House as Ruth May Fox for the Church’s centennial, a home for girls. is sung by youth at June conference. 1920 – Road shows sponsored by the MIA 1931 – The Lion House becomes a social are written and performed. center for girls. 1922 – Summer home for young women is 1935 – Scriptural themes replace slogans. built at Brighton in a canyon east of Salt 1936 – First MIA dance festival is held. Lake City. 1922 – Gold and green become the official colors of the MIA. 1922 – First gold and green ball is held. 1925 – Golden jubilee is held with YMMIA. ENSIGN JUNE 2008 41 Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association LUCY BERTHA GRANT STONE CANNON REEDER 1937–48 1948–61 “Happiness comes from within; it is a “Nature does indeed renew those state of mind.” who keep close to her. If I were in (“Experience,” Young Woman’s Journal, June my teens, I would take time to come 1929, 410) close to nature. I would realize Events again more fully the infinite variety – Golden Gleaner awards and Sunday 1940 in God’s creation. I would learn to evening firesides are introduced. feel the difference in the seasons and – Big Sister program is initiated for 1944 to love each for what it gives to me. I stakes in large cities to provide support for would know that rain and sunshine young women living away from home. are both important in God’s plan.” 1947 – YWMIA members celebrate the (“If I Were in My Teens,” Improvement Era, June centennial of the pioneers entering the Salt 1954, 470) Lake Valley through festivals, music, Events parades, and square dancing. 1950 – Age groups are realigned: Beehives 12–13, Mia Maids 14–15, Junior Gleaners 16–17, Gleaners 18–24. 1950 – Speech and quartet festivals are held in local units and at June conference. 1950 – Individual Awards are introduced. 1950s – A series of posters is produced: “Be Honest with Yourself.” 1959 – The name Gleaners is changed to Laurels. 1960 – Era of Youth section is inaugurated in the Improvement Era. PORTRAITS OF LUCY GRANT CANNON AND BERTHA STONE REEDER BY DEAN FAUSETT; PORTRAIT OF FLORENCE SMITH JACOBSEN BY ALVIN GITTINS; PORTRAITS OF RUTH HARDY FUNK AND ELAINE ANDERSON CANNON BY CLOY KENT CLOY GITTINS; FUNK AND ELAINE ANDERSON CANNON BY PORTRAITS OF RUTH HARDY ALVIN BY SMITH JACOBSEN PORTRAIT OF FLORENCE DEAN FAUSETT; REEDER BY GRANT CANNON AND BERTHA STONE PORTRAITS OF LUCY 42 Aaronic Priesthood MIA Young Women Young Women FLORENCE RUTH ELAINE SMITH HARDY ANDERSON JACOBSEN FUNK CANNON 1961–72 1972–78 1978–84 “It is my prayer that we can be so “I marvel as I look back at the divine “You can soar if you find out who you dedicated that not one single girl in orchestration of my life. I really do are and why you are here. There are this great Church will be forgotten.” believe that the Lord customizes our two important days in a woman’s (“Women, This Is Our Time,” Ensign, Mar. 1972, 39) experiences according to our needs. life: The day she is born and the day Events . I feel the Lord expects us to go as she finds out why.” 1960s – Large Churchwide festivals are far as we can with what he has given (“ ‘Let Me Soar,’ Women Counseled,” Church News, Oct. 17, 1981, 3) held annually. us. But I know that I cannot do what Events 1962 – Worldwide youth conferences are held. I need to do or must do until I finally 1978 – First general women’s meeting is 1965 – For the Strength of Youth is published. come to him in total dependence.” held in the Tabernacle. 1967 – MIA begins annual presentation of (Quoted in Keepers of the Flame, 117) 1980 – Sesquicentennial of the organiza- Promised Valley. Events tion of the Church is celebrated. Young 1968 – The restored Beehive House and 1972 – YWMIA becomes an auxiliary to the women are encouraged to make banners Lion House are opened to the public. priesthood. representing commitment or heritage. 1969 – YWMIA celebrates its centennial. 1973 – Youth leadership and the bishop’s 1980 – Sunday instruction for young 1971 – The New Era is published for youth. youth committee are emphasized. women is implemented with the consoli- 1974 – “Behold Thy Handmaiden”: dated meeting schedule. Six areas of focus and My Personal Progress are introduced. 1975 – Final June conference is held. 1978 – Songs of the Heart, a Young Women songbook, is published. ENSIGN JUNE 2008 43 ARDETH JANETTE MARGARET GREENE CALLISTER HALES DYRENG KAPP BECKHAM NADAULD 1984–92 1992 –97 1997–2002 “I see the crest of a great wave forming “I have tremendous reverence for “Women of God can never be like . that will move across the earth, each one of you. My hope for you dur- women of the world. The world has reaching every continent and every ing these important years between the enough women who are tough; we shore. I call upon you to stand with ages of twelve and eighteen is that need women who are tender. There me to prepare to take your place in you are going from being a depend- are enough women who are coarse; a great forward movement among ent child to becoming a righteous, we need women who are kind. There the young women of the Church —a problem-solving woman of faith. It is are enough women who are rude; movement in which you are destined a mighty work you do during these we need women who are refined. We to shape history and participate in years, and when you do your work have enough women of fame and for- the fulfillment of prophecy.” well, you will build a foundation for tune; we need more women of faith. (“Stand Up, Lead Out,” New Era, Young a responsible and righteous life.” We have enough greed; we need more Women Special Issue, Nov. 1985, 23) (“Growing Up Spiritually,” Ensign, May 1994, 96) goodness. We have enough vanity; we Events Events need more virtue. We have enough 1984 – Relief Society, Young Women, and 1992 – Third Young Women worldwide cel- popularity; we need more purity.” Primary offices are all housed in the Relief ebration, “Walk in the Light,” is observed. (“The Joy of Womanhood,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 15) Society Building. 1993 – New camp manual is introduced, Events 1985 – First Young Women satellite broad- focusing on service, spirituality, and the 1998 – Fifth Young Women worldwide cel- cast is held, introducing the Young Women Young Women values.