Young Women Theme
The Young Women Theme is an extended motto of sorts for LDS girls ages 12-17. The theme is recited at the beginning of any gathering to engender oneness and belonging.
I recited the theme every Sunday in church and every Tuesday or Wednesday at our weekly activity, as well as any additional combined or regional meetings and conferences. A poster of the theme adorned my wall and a bookmark version graced my copy of the Book of Mormon. I think it’s fair to say that every “active” young woman is well acquainted with the words of the Young Women theme.
The words “strengthen home and family” were added in 2001 when I was fifteen. As the rest of the theme stayed the same, I tripped up over the new words for many months before seamlessly reciting the theme again. It’s almost as if the words were added to personally remind me that my natural habitat as a female was the home.
The theme changed again in 2019. See below.
As a sixteen year-old, I became the Laurel Class President—basically the class president over young women aged 16-17—which came with the duty of conducting “Opening Exercises” at the beginning of Young Women meetings every Sunday and Wednesday and often led all young women in reciting the theme.
Margaret D. Nadauld, Young Women General President from 1997 to 2002, modified both the Personal Progress program as well as the Young Women theme that was developed under Sister Kapp’s presidency. While Personal Progress was simplified and streamlined, the theme received an additional phrase. A January 2002 New Era article explained, “Each Sunday, young women stand and say together the theme that helps each girl understand her identity, purpose, and destiny as a daughter of God. Part of that eternal purpose is to learn how to be part of a righteous, loving home, as a daughter and someday as a wife and mother. For this reason, the phrase, ‘strengthen home and family’ has been added to the Young Women theme.”
Strengthening home and family has been a major focus from the leadership of President Nadauld through today.
- churchjesuschrist.org
2001 version of the Young Women Theme
1985 version of the Young Women Theme
Theme when I was a young woman (1998-2004):
We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:
Faith • Divine Nature • Individual Worth • Knowledge • Choice and Accountability • Good Works • Integrity • and Virtue
We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.
Updated theme (2019):
I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I strive to become like Him. I seek and act upon personal revelation and minister to others in His holy name.
I will stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places.
As I strive to qualify for exaltation, I cherish the gift of repentance and seek to improve each day. With faith, I will strengthen my home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, and receive the ordinances and blessings of the holy temple.