The Young Women General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responded to questions about how class meetings will work due to changes to the Sunday meeting schedule starting in September in a video posted to Young Women Worldwide’s social media accounts.
Emily Bell Freeman, Young Women general president, said that in quorum and class meetings, youth will study the doctrine outlined in the latest For the Strength of Youth guide. Bible studies from “Come, Follow Me” will continue to be held in homes, Sunday schools, and seminaries.
Each month’s topic in the Young Women’s class corresponds to one of the 12 chapters in the new guide.
Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, shared four outcomes she expected after a girl spent six years in the Young Women program.
first sunday lesson
Sister Andrea Muñoz-Spanas, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, said the first Sunday’s lesson begins by focusing on one of the eternal truths listed in that month’s chapter. As outlined in a new magazine specifically designed to support these lessons (available in both print and digital versions), leaders will select corresponding scriptures and personal spiritual experiences with their truths to share with youth. Sister Spanaus said that discussion of the item ends with the leader testifying to its eternal truth.
“This is more discussion and conversation than instruction,” Freeman said. In class, you can choose who will lead the discussion: an adult, an adult with young women, or just young women.
President Freeman said the new method of class assembly is aimed at replicating the morning discussions at FSY camp, where young people ask “real questions and have real conversations.” It is intended to be a safe space for young women to ask questions and discuss in class.
Sister Runia emphasized opening the scriptures during the first five minutes of the discussion. She shared her experience with President Dallin H. Oaks during her Presidency when the curriculum was approved. Starting with doctrine might mean starting your class meeting by saying, “I love you.”
Quoting President Oaks, Sister Runia said, “Yes, we teach doctrine. In fact, you could start the lesson by saying, ‘I love you.’” That is the doctrine of God. ”
Lessons on the 2nd and 3rd Sunday of the month
Sister Runia said the second and third Sunday meetings will focus on the principles and doctrines of each month’s overview chapter. She said the magazine includes questions that can be answered during discussion time. There are also resources available to help leaders prepare to answer questions.
President Freeman said the Gospel Topics tab in the Gospel Library app is a great resource for preparing these lessons.
The general presidency shared that the Young Women theme will not be read on Sunday. Instead, this topic can be talked about during weekly activities, Young Women’s camps, conferences, and FSY. Opening practice will be cancelled. The opening prayer was recited and the scriptures began within five minutes of class. Weekly activities remain the same.
4th Sunday lesson
President Freeman said the fourth Sunday’s lessons will be “a time to learn what it means to live as a covenant daughter of God.” “Here we talk about identity and purpose and our place in God’s plan.”
She said the young women recite the first line of the Young Women’s Theme and then read the corresponding statement. A new statement is released every month. The class then learns stories of women in the scriptures who embody that principle.
President Freeman said that if there are only three Sundays of classes due to general conference, such as in April, classes on the second and third Sundays may be combined. She emphasized that lessons should always be held on the first and last Sunday of the month.
The Presidency concluded by saying that all young people will participate in readings of the new “For the Strength of Youth” pamphlet during the summer. President Freeman said plans for this reading will be published in the Gospel Library app under “Gospel Study Plans” in the coming weeks.
