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Surprising Things We Don't Have to Do for Personal Progress Anymore + More Changes Over the Years

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With the year 2016 coming to a close, Young Women programs around the world will focus on the new 2017 theme, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed" (James 1:5–6; emphasis added).

Although many Church programs and manuals have changed throughout the decades, the focus on key gospel principles, like developing a personal relationship with God, has always been important to the youth programs of the Church. 

Before New Beginnings programs start off the new year, take a look at some of the ways Personal Progress has changed—as well as stayed the same—through the decades.

1915—First Bee-Hive Girls Handbook Published

In 1869, the young women of the Church started gathering together in the early stages of what we know now as the Young Women program. The early Young Women program had many similar requirements to our modern program, including girls' camp, studying the scriptures, praying in public, continuing education, and summer sports.

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However, it wasn't until 1915 that the young women of the Church used a handbook that resembled our Personal Progress booklet, called Bee-Hive Girls. 

Very similar to the current Young Women values, the Bee-Hive Girls earned seals in eight fields, represented by different colors: religion, home, health, domestic arts, outdoor, business, and public service.

However, the requirements expected of Bee-Hive Girls were very different from the projects we see the Young Women complete today. Here are just a few of our favorites:

• Take care of milk and make two pounds of butter a week for two months.
• Care successfully for a hive of bees for one season; know their habits.
• During two weeks keep the house free from flies, or destroy twenty-five flies daily.
• Be entirely free from a cold for two consecutive months.
• Without help or advice, care for and harness a team at least five times [and] drive 50 miles during one season.
• Clear sagebrush off of one-half acre of land.

While these examples reveal some of the differences 100 years can make, some of the Bee-Hive Girls' projects do sound similar to the modern day Personal Progress equivalents, like reading the Book of Mormon, earning money to pay tithing, and learning about ancestors.

Image retrieved from lds.org.

1920—Revised Bee-Hive Girls Handbook Published

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ery similar to the 1915 version of the Bee-Hive Girls handbook, the 1920 version added more content describing the Bee-Hive Girls organization and advancement.

The new version of the handbook also included the "Spirit of the Hive," which acted as their purpose statement or motto:

"On my honor each day I will have faith, seek knowledge, safeguard health, honor womanhood, understand beauty, know work, love truth, taste the sweetness of service, feel joy."

In fact, the Bee-Hive Girls motto sounds very similar to the Personal Progress values, which are: faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity, and virtue.

Image retrieved from lds.org.

1930s–1940s—Bee Hive Girls Handbook Gets New Design

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After taking the hyphen out of Bee Hive Girls, the 1930s handbook got a new cover design. Aside from changing the design, the Bee Hive Girls also made improvements to the youth programs.

In the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Elaine Anderson Cannon writes, "In the 1930s, leaders gave new emphasis to music, dance, and the performing arts. They published a recreational song book, and sociable singing became popular. They sponsored ten-minute musical programs or 'road shows' that were locally created and rehearsed and then presented in successive wards in each LDS stake."

Additionally, the leaders of the Young Women Mutual Improvement Association created incentive programs, where young women were encouraged to set goals and earned emblems for achieving them, and in 1941, introduced yearly themes based on scripture.

Image retrieved from Pinterest.

1950s–1960s—Beehive Bandelos

Continuing from the 1940s to the 1960s, Beehives (now one word) participated in achievement programs to earn emblems to sew onto their Beehive bandelo. Similar to merit badges, these

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emblems required some of the following achievements (according to lds.org):

• Strive to get your full nine hours’ beauty sleep each night this month. Make it a habit.
• Increase your self-confidence by acquiring a good posture (sitting, standing, and walking).
• Politeness in all things is the mark of a lady. Practice at home being considerate and polite. Learn to accept directions graciously.
• Look for something beautiful every day for two months.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, leaders were also working to make the youth programs and handbooks more accessible in other languages and cultures. 

Image retrieved from lds.org.

1985—New Personal Progress Manual Introduced

With a new program and a new manual, the Church released the Personal Progress many of us are familiar with today. Instead of Beehive bandelos and emblems, young women who completed the Personal Progress program were rewarded with a young womanhood medallion.

According to lds.org, some of the new and improved requirements in the 1985 Personal Progress

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included:

• Choose a friend to be your partner, and read two missionary pamphlets. Teach another friend or relative what you have learned.
• Write a thank-you letter to your parents.
• Write a personal code of honesty, including five ways you will live an honest life.
• Participate in a physical fitness activity for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week for three weeks.

While simple design changes introduced different versions of the 1985 Personal Progress manual and medallions, the next big change didn't occur until 2009, when Church leaders added a new Young Women value.

Images retrieved from lds.org and Pinterest.

2009—Virtue Added as Young Women's Value

When the First Presidency announced the addition of a new Young Women value, virtue, they sent out a letter to the Church on November 28, 2008, stating, "This addition will assist young women in developing high moral standards."

To earn the Young Women medallion, Young Women now have to complete additional requirements, including:

• Study the meaning and importance of virtue and chastity.
• Make a list of things you can and will do to prepare yourself for temple ordinances.
• Study the Holy Ghost, and write down what you have learned about the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.
• Read the entire Book of Mormon.

Young women can also earn an Honor Bee charm, which was "historically given to young women who were willing to do more than was required," by reading the Book of Mormon again or helping another young woman complete her personal progress.

In President James E. Faust's April 2000 general conference address, "Womanhood: The Highest Place of Honor," he said the following:

"In 1916 the challenges of life involved an entirely different focus, such as killing flies, clearing sagebrush, and learning to harness horses. Today such physical needs are met much more easily: flipping on a switch to control the light, adjusting the thermostat for heat and for cold. Modern conveniences grant us more free time to focus on spiritual needs and devote more time to personal service. But the basic element which should never change in the lives of righteous young women is giving service to others."

No matter what changes in the Personal Progress program, the one thing that remains constant is the importance of building a personal relationship with God. No matter how many flies they swat or bees they tend, Young Women have opportunities to serve, learn, set and make goals, and develop their testimony, which is more valuable than any medallion.

Lead image from lds.org and Pinterest.

Are you still looking for the perfect gift for your Young Women? Find this triple ring "Ask in Faith" 2017 youth theme necklace at Deseret Book stores or deseretbook.com.

The necklace is made with three small entwined rings, each stamped with different phrases from James 1:5–6 as a simple and subtle trending reminder of the 2017 mutual theme. It’s a gift with a message!

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