The Relief Society presidency can work with the Young Women presidency and priesthood leaders to determine ways to support parents in their efforts to help young women successfully make the transition into Relief Society and prepare for their future responsibilities.

“Relief Society has within its commission some of the most remarkable service opportunities on earth, which are available to all sisters. In my travels across the world, I have seen that the thousands upon thousands of you who do not currently have a husband or children are an incredible reservoir of faith, talent, and dedication. No one is better positioned than you to work in temples, serve missions, teach the rising generation, and help those who are downtrodden. The Lord needs you. “I have also marveled at the youth and energy of you who are just arriving in Relief Society from the Young Women program. I have seen how your hearts yearn to make a difference for good in the world. I often imagine the potential of what could be happening with family history work, for example, if you shared your technical skills with older sisters (like me!). We simply cannot afford to squander your youthful and energetic power by suggesting you sit by, watching older and more experienced women do all of the planning, organizing, and work of Relief Society.”    Julie B. Beck, “Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 110–11 RESOURCES In March, 2008, Sister Beck spoke in a CES fireside for young adults. In her talk, she outlined four areas in which single adults of every age, could spend their time and energies in order to receive the blessings that Abraham received. Studying this talk, praying about the new sisters in Relief Society, and then working with the bishop will lead you to ideas and revelation to assist in the transition into Relief Society. Julie B. Beck, "Unlocking the Door to the Blessings of Abraham," March 2, 2008. Suggestions for new sisters in Relief Society: Gain an understanding of Relief Society's purpose and significance. Participate in service. Participate in missionary and retention activities. Prepare to serve a mission if desired. Participate in temple and family history work. Participate in institute and religious education. Continue to prepare for temple ordinances by attending regular worthiness interviews with the bishop. Prepare for future responsibilities and develop self-reliance through education and learning homemaking skills. Work on Pursuit of Excellence. Serve as a visiting teacher. Teach and serve in Primary, Sunday School, Young Women, or Relief Society callings. Participate on committees of Relief Society sisters to plan and carry out service or other activities. Serve as a young single adult representative. Serve on young single adult committees. Suggestions from the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 p. 206 The ward Relief Society president could visit the class of 16- and 17-year olds and present a preview of Relief Society. She also could arrange with the Young Women president to have these young women visit and participate in Relief Society Sunday meetings; Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment meetings; or activities suited to their interests. She could also invite young women to participate with the Relief Society in compassionate service. Suggestions from the First Presidency Letter dated February 23, 2007: Encourage mothers to help their daughters gain an understanding of the value of Relief Society. Assign a Relief Society counselor the specific responsibility of working with young adult women until they successfully make the transition into Relief Society. Provide new members of the Relief Society with meaningful callings, visiting teaching, and compassionate service assignments. Have the Young Women and Relief Society sisters meet together occasionally in Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meetings, with planning under the direction of both auxiliaries. Emphasize provident living, homemaking, and personal application of gospel principles in Mutual activities. Review the guidelines regarding transition in Relief Society in the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (1998), pages 206 and 214. When the stake or mission president authorizes a monthly combined opening exercise of a ward or branch Relief Society and Young Women, the following guidelines should be followed: Opening exercises should be well organized and brief. They should create a spiritual atmosphere for the lessons that follow (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 221). Responsibility for planning and conducting the opening exercises should rotate between the leaders of Relief Society and Young Women. First Presidency Letter: Helping Young Women with the Transition into Womanhood This letter, dated February 23, 2007, was sent to priesthood leaders for discussion with Young Women and Relief Society leaders in ward council meetings. The second page lists six suggestions to help leaders as they develop plans to help young women with the transition into womanhood. Note: All of the files may be viewed or played directly in your browser by double-clicking on the icon. If you wish to download the file to your computer, right-click on the icon and save the file to your computer. If you would like to download the applications that will enable you to use this content, click here. is video content for Windows Media Player version 8 or older. is video content for Windows Media Player version 9 or newer. is QuickTime video content in MP4 format. TITLE WATCH "When You Save a Girl, You Save Generations" (President Gordon B. Hinckley)