Young Women Celebrate "New Beginnings"

 
 “I now realize Personal Progress is not about doing . . . its about becoming!” said Emily Forsyth who addressed other Bloomington 7^th Ward young women, their parents and leaders during “New Beginnings” on March 20.   

Emily - who finished all Personal Progress requirements 4 months after her 14^th birthday – at 16 is going back through the program because she now recognizes the need to “Turn Your Heart to Personal Progress.”    

The evening included the introduction of two 12-year-old girls who are just coming into the Young Women program.   A warm welcome was extended to Maddy Andersen, daughter of new ward members  John and Jennifer Andersen; and, Emily Gierisch, daughter of Brian and Sally Gierisch. 

The Young Women of the ward introduced the Personal Progress Values of Faith (by Bridger Kanenwisher), Divine Nature (Liz Larson), Individual Worth (Caroline Smith), Knowledge (Summer Simkins), Choice and Accountability (Grace Graham), Good Works (Aspin Erskine), Integrity (Grace Bown) and Virtue (Savannah Spangler).

The Personal Progress Program is designed to strengthen a young woman’s faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ as she learns His teachings and regularly applies them in her life. It will help her strengthen both her present – and future - family. It will help her prepare make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple. And it will prepare her to be a faithful, contributing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Thanks to young women willing to  “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations” (Doctrine and Covenants 115:5) and to parents and leaders in the Bloomington 7^th Ward.