In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the young women organization is centered on eight core values. Learn more about the YW values and colors, how each fits into personal progress program, and see samples of value projects for Mormon youth.
Faith YW Value Color and Project Ideas
Faith value color: White
Faith is believing in things that aren't visible, but are nonetheless believed to be true. A testimony begins with simple faith, and also grows by faith. It is the first LDS young women value because it is the most fundamental principle of the gospel. Sample faith value projects are:
- Create a website featuring the YW values and the young woman's personal testimony, with a minimum of three pages comprising the site.
- Film interviews of friends and family members talking about their faith in Christ, then edit the video and set it to music.
- Visit a church history location and create a scrapbook based on the trip, highlighting the faith of church members of that time period.
Divine Nature YW Value Color and Project Ideas
Divine nature value color: Blue
As daughters of God, each young woman has inherited divine qualities and has a divine potential. Part of her duty in life is to find and develop those divine qualities through prayer, study, receiving her patriarchal blessing, and attending the temple. Some examples of divine nature YW projects are:
- Collect recipes, organize them, and have them printed in a bound family or ward cookbook.
- Decoupage a collage of pictures from pass-along cards and church magazines onto a wide-bordered frame. Display it with a copy of the Proclamation on the Family inside.
- Organize, practice, and present a special musical number (alone or with others) in sacrament meeting.
Individual Worth YW Value and Color
Individual worth value color: Red
For the Mormon, individual worth involves recognizing the God-given qualities in oneself and in others. Knowing her own individual worth gives a Latter-day Saint girl confidence and helps her make good choices; understanding the worth of others makes her kind, tolerant, and trustworthy. An individual worth value project might be:
- Mentor a child through a community volunteer organization, making a conscious effort to build his or her self-worth.
- Organize and throw a surprise party for a friend or relative. Plan to have their favorite guests, food, and activities at the party.
- Write a personal history, documenting childhood memories up to the present time.
Knowledge YW Value and Color
Knowledge value color: Green
This value encompasses both spiritual and secular knowledge. A well-rounded young woman should study both the scriptures and be educated in life skills and the world around her. For decades, LDS prophets have encouraged youth to get all the education they can. Sample knowledge value projects are:
- Take a high school advanced placement course or a post-secondary college class.
- Make a scripture-of-the-day or word-of-the-day calendar. Have it spiral bound at a local office supply store.
- Make at least three of the Christmas gifts given away this year using a new skill. Girls could can jars of applesauce, make Christmas ornaments, or create pieces of jewelry.
Choice and Accountability YW Value Color and Project Ideas
Choice and accountability value color: Orange
Making choices and taking responsibility for one's own actions is a big part of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mormon youth are asked to make decisions every day, and choice and accountability is about having the courage to make correct choices and accepting the consequences. Projects could include:
- Create a "Sunday Box" filled with ideas of appropriate family activities to do on the Sabbath. Use it each week at home.
- Read The Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball and share impressions of the book with a parent or YW leader.
- Go through the closet or personal music library and evaluate items based on the standards listed in For the Strength of Youth. Discard inappropriate items.
Good Works YW Value Color and Project Ideas
Good Works value color: Yellow
The most salient mark of true conversion is a person's words and actions. Serving others helps an LDS young woman grow spiritually and to think of others. Good works is about recognizing and trying to meet the needs of other people. Possible projects might be:
- Plan an afternoon of free babysitting at the church for ward members. Advertise the service and circulate sign-up sheets several weeks ahead of time. Prepare one kids' craft or activity for the afternoon.
- Identify areas of town (parks, playgrounds, roadsides, church grounds) that are littered or dirty. Over several days, pick up trash and beautify the areas.
- Organize a food or clothing drive and donate the proceeds to a local shelter.
- Spend 10 hours as a volunteer indexer for people trying to locate their ancestors.
Integrity YW Value Color and Project Ideas
Integrity value color: Purple
Integrity is doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching or when it would be easy to get away with doing something wrong. Even when pressured to do something contrary to the gospel, the LDS young woman with integrity will not waver from her standards. Integrity value projects could be:
- Host an alternative after-prom party where the environment will be safe and all activities will be in keeping with church standards.
- Make a faux tile picture of the temple and display it somewhere visible. Write feelings about the temple and a plan for preparing to enter the temple on the back.
- Plan and lead a campaign to keep Christ in Christmas this year.
Virtue YW Value Color and Project Ideas
Virtue value color: Gold
Virtue is remaining morally clean and sexually pure. Being virtuous will help young women prepare to go to the temple and fulfill future roles as wives and mothers. The required virtue project is reading the Book of Mormon from cover to cover.
Faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity, and virtue are the essential building blocks of the young women's personal progress program. These eight YW personal progress values work together to help Latter-day Saint youth develop testimonies of the gospel and thrive in their future roles.
Young Women leaders may also be interested in LDS Personal Progress Motivators, Bulletin Board Ideas, and How to Handle Texting in Class.
Jenny Evans - Jenny Evans is a freelance writer and editor specializing in parenting and the family. She is also the Mormonism Topic Editor for ...
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