I work in the Young Women organization, so I wanted to focus my magazine project towards the young woman (New Era). We have been having trouble with the girls setting Personal Progress as a priority. They tend to have so many excuses as to not being able to complete the requirements in the book. I thought sharing a little bit of what I gained when I was working on my own Personal Progress could somehow encourage them to work on it. I would like to see all my young women to achieve obtaining their medallion. I know as they work on their Personal Progress they can become strong young women and future leaders in their daily lives. They will discover who they truly are and they will learn and develop Christlike attributes. The greatest blessing they will gain will have to be that they will get to know our Redeemer and the love He has for each and every one of them. Hopefully this will motivate them to work on their Personal Progress and show their love for Him as well.
STORY:
My parents divorced when I was 4 years old. I ended up living with my mother until I turned 13 and then moved with my dad. He was remarried with 4 more children. A year before he was baptized into the church. So when my sister and I came to live with him, we were introduce to the church and started taking the missionary lessons. Meanwhile, I also attended church and learned how there were many organizations such as the Young Women, Primary, Relief Society, and Elders Quorum. I was amazed how the church had different classes for all age groups. The whole church thing was new to me.
Since I was 13 years old, I belonged to the Young Women organization. At first, I felt really uncomfortable because I was a new investigator about to become a member. The more I attended church the more I liked it and the more I became familiar with the whole church thing. On one mutual night, I was given a book to work on. This book was called the Personal Progress and it was loaded with activities! Not only that, it was separated into sections by colors. I thought it was cool how you could earn a pretty medallion for completing the book. I wanted that medallion and I was going to get it.
Well for a 13 year old, like me, getting this book was exciting at the beginning because it was brand new, very well organized, and it was all mine. Looking over the book I started making notes on what activities I wanted to do first, when I would get them done, and what projects I wanted to do. Starting to work on the book was not hard at all, I had the desire and the motivation. I was determined to complete this book and earn that pretty medallion.
I did really well in the beginning, then all of a sudden I had more homework to do and after school practices to attend. So working on Personal Progress did not get much attention as it did before when I first received it. Time went by, and I did not work on my booklet like I had planned because I was too busy. It seemed the older I got the busier life got. I had seminary to attend, more athletic practices after school, a job, and even more homework! I tried to get my Personal Progress activities done, but it was hard to keep up with it. Honestly, it was hard to set aside time to complete my activities, but I could not let that be an excuse to let that medallion walk pass me. I was going to earn it and that meant I had to work for it.
The day had come! I finally completed my Personal Progress! I was able to show off my completed book to my Young Women leaders and to my Bishop. I earned that pretty medallion! But most importantly, the lessons I learned and the habits I developed from faithfully working on my Personal Progress helped shape and form the woman I have become. I am not perfect, but Personal Progress did open my eyes to what type of woman I wanted to be. It helped me set goals for myself and for my future. It was a guidance in staying on the straight narrow path. It was a reminder that I was a daughter of Heavenly Father and feel His love.
Regardless of how busy life can get for a young woman, find a way and time to work on Personal Progress. No excuse will be good enough if you let that medallion pass you by. It can be done, question is how much do you want it? Or how much do you honor the Lord?
QUOTE I WOULD LIKE TO USE:
“Give me a young woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a young woman who faithfully attends her Church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Womanhood Recognition award and wears it with pride! Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a young woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity.
President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994), “To the Young Women of the Church,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 84.
DRAFT SKETCHES:
IMAGES:
IMAGE RESOURCES:
http://tcynyw.blogspot.com/p/personal-progress.html
https://www.mormonchannel.org/listen/series/gospel-solutions-for-families-audio/strengthening-marriage-and-families-through-traditions-part-1-episode-17
http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/young-womens-medallion-gold-2
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