Developing Their Minds

When I taught the Laurels, the Young Women president told me when I was initially called that the bishop’s top priority for our girls was for them to understand the importance of attending college and developing their minds before marriage, rather than looking at marriage as the end-all, be-all for young women in the church. Our YW lessons emphasized the divine role of young women and the potential we have to contribute to the world as thinkers, doers, creators–and yes, mothers!!–but our focus was on individual growth, development, and expansion which would then allow us to be good wives and mothers as part of a well-rounded life, rather than focusing solely on attaining wifehood or motherhood.