Individual Worth Additional Value no. 1

May 23, 2010 Post #6 Individual Worth Additional Value no. 1

I read the assigned scriptures and came to a conclusion that probably the most important thing the LDS Church is doing by making assignments like these for our youth is to give them the opportunity to stop, think, look, introspectively evaluate, and then develop-their own testimony. What they feel, how they feel, why they feel about themselves-specifically with this assignment.

I read through and used these scriptures for our FHE tonight. (Psalms 8:4-6, Jeremiah 1:5, John 13:34, D&C 18:10, Abraham 3:22-23, and Joseph Smith History 1: 1-20).

I remember a time in my young motherhood life period when I was feeling pretty much like nothing. I spoke with my great Aunt Piney about it and she said that I should always remember that man is but a little below the angels. I felt such hope when she said it and I felt the Spirit testify it is true. She said it was in the scriptures. I remember finding it and feeling sad because the scriptures make it clear that it refers to Jesus Christ. Well, yes it does. However, He paid the price in the Garden and on the Christ so that all that is the Father's is now His too. AND All that is His is promised (dependent on our faithfulness and obedience) to us. That makes that scripture also applicable to us.

The rest of the scriptures make it clear that Father knew us intimately before we were born, cares about us, and is willing to do all we allow Him to do for us-all but do things which inhibit our agency.

The Joseph Smith scripture verses make it quite clear that Heavenly Father and Jesus are two separate beings, they both care deeply about us, we are His/Their chose IF we choose them first, They hear our prayers, They answer our prayers, Christ did Atone for us and Lives to tell about it.

One scripture they did not use which I find helps me know how important we are to Them is: Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

(Old Testament | Isaiah 49:16)

That's what I think of when I take the Sacrament and look at the palms of my hands and remember that His scars remind Him of me.

3 May 2010 Post #5 Individual Worth Additional Value

no. 4

It's interesting reading through this value experience. First I'm supposed to read D&C 88:119.

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;" Doctrine and Covenants,88:119

What makes this interesting is that the goals I set for myself as a young woman, to fulfill the above scripture is coming to fulfillment AND my daughter-in-law had recently commented, referring to our remodeling of our home (which allows us to become more organized-in a big way) said, "Your fondest dreams are coming true." I blogged about it, because it touched me so deeply-not about the remodeling, although I'm uber excited about it, but more about the thoughts and feelings that came from pondering on 'my fondest dreams'. Those of my family growing up, becoming adults, continuing the circles and cycles of life in the Gospel. My children having testimonies and watching them teach their children the same things.

Part of my 'house of order, house of God' goals as a young woman did NOT include NOR exclude, getting up between 6 and 6:15 a.m. when our children were hitting their teen years so we could read scriptures and have a hot, healthy, homemade breakfast together as a family. However, that is what I found necessary to do so that we could have that house of order (I interpret it as a house of peace) that I so desired. I believe any mother would have to come to this point IF she wanted order and peace in her home and IF she wanted to be a true mother in Zion.

2 May 2010 Post #4. I had Individual Additional Value Experience #6 signed off by Ruth-it's the pedigree chart one with Temple ordinances. I also had her sign off Knowledge Required Value #3 the one on Article of Faith #13.

As for Individual Worth Additional Value no. 5, I was a main participant in a readers theater (quite some time ago) titled 'The Devil & Daniel Webster'. For this exercise I'm supposed to explain how this activity strengthened my feelings of individual worth and self-confidence.

Wow! I was 17 years old and was asked to wear a wedding dress (one of the YW Gleaners leader's dress) for the reading and then read, in turn, my dialogue in front of everyone who attended-on stage in the Cultural Hall. I felt I was so special, and therefore of unique value-just because I had been asked to take part. I could actually picture myself doing it-which gave me confidence in the attempt.

Probably the main item that gave me a feeling of individual worth was reading through the script-in practices before the production and realizing that I could choose to not become a victim of being 'bought' by Satan-that I had that power-me-individually. I don't believe before this experience it had occurred to me that I could even be considered as someone he would want. After this experience I realized, like an immature child, Satan wants it all. Doesn't know what to do with it and can't and doesn't want to manage it after he's got it-but he wants it all. I've seen this same attitude with some of my children. Wanting it all but not knowing what to do with it once they have it.

#3 29 April 2010. Quick Read to Find Completed Tasks
Wow! Life is so busy, it's hard to work everything in that I really want to. Tough-I know what I want out of life and I know what I need to put into it so I can get it. So...

Fb seems to be quit quiet tonight. It was last night also. So last night I picked up my handy dandy YW Personal Progress manual and started just reading it cover to cover. Just as in college with text books-because I don't want to read through something 2-3x trying to find the 2nd and 3rd time what I was so impressed with the first time; I start writing notes, circling, arrowing, etc. There were a couple items I know I have completed. So, I will finish up the writing in the journal and discussing them with whomever I can so I can get them signed off.

I recited the 13th Article of Faith to my spouse. I memorized it when I was 16 years old. That was the year it was the theme for MIA. We had opening exercises in the chapel and we all stood and recited it. When I looked at how long it was I wasn't sure I was going to be able to memorize it. But I did. What's even more astounding to me is that it's been 40 years and I still have it memorized.

We visited the White Sands New Mexico Museum when we went to visit Jacob and Sharon. It was about war. War efforts. War tools. Killing the enemy to restore a balance of peace. Was it lovely? Nope. Was it praise worthy? At first my inclination, for the nastiness of war, is to say no. However, God Himself had condoned the use of war for the sake of individual agency and the continued spread of freedom so the Gospel could continue to roll forth. This is also virtuous. Mankind helping mankind where groups have allowed their rights and freedoms to be robbed of them through unrighteous dominion.

There definitely is a beauty found in unselfish sacrifice. It would be so easy to judge and proclaim that all wars and all things pertaining to wars are evil and ugly-no honesty, no truth, no chastity, no kindness. There were dark periods of the war when it was hard to hope for a good outcome. But yet again good prevailed. Satan failed. Truth and righteousness overcame darkness and evil. That's the way it ever has been and will be. Always after the dark night comes the dawn.

Pain. Suffering. Loss. Struggle. Many ugly things are endured, but eventually good, truth and light prevails.

The Thirteenth Article of Faith has ever been and will continue to be a key link for me in holding to the iron rod. A beacon of hope, truth and light. When I first heard it and someone explained it-the Holy Ghost testified to me with an overwhelming witness of its truth. This has been my strength for the past 40 years when I would need to plow through the abyss of trial. I won't abandon it now and it will continue to be my strength.

#2 A New Dawning
This is going to end up backwards, however, this is going to be the easiest way for me to keep this updated. Not only do I prefer typing as opposed to writing by hand, it's faster and I don't have to deal with narrow binding. Also, the journal keeping for me is designed not just for me, but for my posterity-which is how I use this posting anyway.



Yesterday I took my YW Personal Progress manual with me to RS as my visiting teacher said (like others have said) she would help me figure out how to use the book. I had started reading it but got hung up on one issue and wanted further light and knowledge from someone who knew the program. When I asked my 'others' in my life about it ('it' here equals Seminary) I was told I could do 'it' by going to Institute. True, I could, however, that does NOT fit with my schedule. So I asked my VT about it and she said there is a modified program for adults and you can modify that requirement-you are here (Sunday for Gospel Doctrine and RS) so that should be acceptable, IF it's acceptable to you. Well, it is.

So we looked through the manual and she said yes, yes it has changed since I was in YW. I then stated, it sure looks a lot like it works like the scout program. She looked closer, flipped several more pages, read a little here and there and returned it to me and said, yes, yes it does work a lot like the scout program. These little dashes by the numbers is where you would have someone initial and date it to sign it off.

SO, you 'others' in my life, don't be surprised if I complete something and then pass my manual to you and ask you to sign something off. She also said that I had probably done most of the things it requires and unless and until I find something that I feel I want to challenge myself on (yes a couple things popped into my mind when she said that), then I should probably start reading through it and find what there is that I most wanted to work on and get signed off those things that are really done.

This week, I will be spending each additional moment I can reading, finding those that I want and need to work on and getting things signed off that I feel I have accomplished or mastered.


#1 I'm So Excited

I joined the LDS church when I was 16, in March, so the last half of the last year of MIA Maids. I began the YWMIA progress program but there was no way I would complete it, I had already lost the first three and one half years of a six year program. But I had the Gospel. I would never earn a four year certificate from Seminary. But I had the Gospel.



Today in Relief Society the Young Women began with us and out came the announcement that in the January New Era the revised YW Personal Progress program is reported AND is now open to any woman (young, old, member, non-member) to participate in.

Hey, hey, hey! I wanna sign up for that. They mentioned also, in RS that mother could sign off daughter and vice versa. So, is there anyone out there that would like to help me do this?

Details of the program:
Now is the time to prepare for the wonderful future that awaits you. Personal Progress will help you prepare and will help you understand your identity as a daughter of God.

Personal Progress is not a program that is separate and apart from your life. It is a tool that you can use to draw closer to the Savior, serve others, be anxiously engaged in good works, learn leadership skills, develop relationships with others, and prepare for temple covenants. Personal Progress helps each young woman who participates develop daily righteous routines. When you do small things consistently, they become part of who you are and they change you. It really is “by small and simple things” that “great things [are] brought to pass” (Alma 37:6).

The new revised Personal Progress booklet has the temple on the cover. The temple is the symbol for the youth of the Church. The temple is the reason for all that we do in the Young Women program. We hope as you look at the temple on the cover, you will always remember that participating in Personal Progress helps you prepare to make and keep covenants in the temple someday.

The new Personal Progress book is pink! It is a reminder that you are a daughter of our Heavenly Father and have unique feminine characteristics, gifts, and roles. The book contains instructions on how you are to proceed, as well as the age-group symbols for the years of participation in the Young Women Program. Most of the value experiences and projects are the same, but some have changed just slightly to be more current and more focused on the temple covenants you will one day make and keep. Any questions?

How do I begin Personal Progress? Beginning is easy! Just open the book and start on any one of the values that interests you. You don’t have to do the values in order. Doing the required experiences will help you gain a knowledge of what the value is and why it is important for you in your life.

Who can participate? Anyone who desires to participate is welcome. You can invite your nonmember friends to do Personal Progress with you. Your mothers or other exemplary women may also participate. We are all progressing and trying to grow and develop and become all that our Heavenly Father intended we should become.

How quickly should I proceed? Usually when you open the Personal Progress book, you can find some things you are already doing at school or in your home. Be sure to give yourself credit for these things and plan ahead so that you can do them with purpose. Each Sunday, you might evaluate what you have accomplished in your Personal Progress and write in your journal. Then you will be able to really give yourself credit for all the good that you are doing. You can go at your own pace. If you do one experience each month and two projects each year, you will be finished by the time you are a Laurel. Then you will have the privilege and opportunity to mentor other young women who are working on their Personal Progress. When you do this, you may earn an Honor Bee, which symbolizes going the extra distance in serving others. The honor bee can be worn with your Young Women medallion.

Can I do Personal Progress at Mutual? You can do some of your Personal Progress at Mutual. A project could become your Mutual activity. You may also work on Personal Progress on Sunday as you learn about the values and study the scriptures in your Young Women class. Ask your adviser to read or explain any scriptures you do not understand. Remember that although Personal Progress is “personal,” you may do some parts of it with others.

What kinds of leadership opportunities does it give me? As you organize and prepare to accomplish a 10-hour project, you may invite other young women in your class or ward to help you. They will benefit from their service and participation, and when they need you, you can help them. Doing this will help you learn the leadership skills for your future roles as a wife, mother, and homemaker. It will also help you learn how to organize, communicate, and complete a difficult task.

Should I do Personal Progress with my mother? You are invited to participate in Personal Progress with your mother. Both of you are constantly doing so many good things. You can encourage each other and recognize the good things you are doing and you can even approve each other’s projects and sign each other’s books! Have fun together, and if your mother does not desire to participate, you may also do Personal Progress with an older young woman or another righteous woman who is working on her Personal Progress. You can also ask for the help of your leaders when you need it.

Why am I asked to keep a journal? For many of the value experiences and projects, you will be asked to write in your journal your thoughts and feelings, as well as the things you are learning. This journal will become a precious record for you of your days in the Young Women organization and the commitments you have made. Writing in your journal will also invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

The blessings of participating in Personal Progress extend far beyond the Young Women years. You will draw closer to the Savior. Your faith and testimony of Him and of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will increase. You will be prepared for your divine mission and roles on the earth. You will taste the sweetness of service and experience the joys of righteous accomplishments. You will feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost, which will guide and teach you. You will develop a pattern that will bless your life, now and throughout all eternity. It is a pattern of progress and of making and keeping temple covenants. May you each be blessed as you begin with us this pattern of progression. We love you! The Lord loves you! You are His precious daughters.

Editor’s note: The new Personal Progress items will be available through Distribution Services after January 15, 2010.

The Beehive symbol is the beehive, which is a reminder of harmony, cooperation, and work.

The Mia Maid symbol is the rose, which is a reminder of love, faith, and purity.

The Laurel symbol is the laurel wreath, which stands for honor and accomplishment.

When you complete Personal Progress, you will record your testimony in your journal and arrange to have an interview with the bishop. You will then be eligible to receive your Young Womanhood medallion. The medallion has been changed to include the age-group symbols as well as the temple. It also has a small ruby in the center of the Mia Maid rose. This ruby symbolizes that you have completed your Personal Progress and the new value of Virtue. The ruby will remind you that a virtuous young woman is precious and that “her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10).

Young women who have earned their medallion may go on to earn an Honor Bee by reading the Book of Mormon again and doing additional service, including helping another young woman with Personal Progress.

When you complete a value experience and project, you will receive a gold sticker to go in the back of your Personal Progress book. Add the date on which you completed this value. Your book will become your personal record of all the good things you are accomplishing.

We have also provided a new theme poster, which contains the new eighth value of Virtue. You will probably see one of these in the Young Women room where you meet each week. We have also provided a smaller version—a theme card—for your room or your locker at school. It has the theme on the front and an explanation of the age-group names of Beehive, Mia Maid, and Laurel on the back.

When you enter the Young Women organization, your leaders will present you with a “torch” necklace. This necklace symbolizes your commitment to stand for truth and righteousness at all times and in all things and in all places. The symbol of the flame will also remind you to “arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (D&C 115:5). Wear this necklace proudly, and remember your commitment.

As you advance from one age group to another, you will be recognized by your bishop with a certificate of recognition and completion. This may be kept in a special place to remind you of the things you have learned and done in your Beehive, Mia Maid, and Laurel years.

As you complete each value experience and project, you will receive a ribbon for your scriptures. You may use this ribbon to mark your favorite scriptures on the values. The ribbons will be the color of the values: white for faith, gold for virtue, and so forth. Your leader will present this ribbon to you in a Young Women meeting when you have completed all the requirements.

If your mother or leader is interested, an optional ribbon organizer is available, which you can slide down the spine of your scriptures to keep from losing the value ribbons you have worked so hard to earn.

Post Script:
I have the book and the journal and found the courage to ask the RS Pres if/when they can start a RS 1x/month meeting for those interested in working on the YW Recognition Award.