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Today, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a change that marks a new era for Young Women worldwide: new names for age groups seeking to reinforce identity, purpose, and belonging.

The new names are:

Builders of Faith (young women turning 12 or 13)
A Builder of Faith helps build God’s kingdom through her faith in Christ, steadfast witness, and actions that uplift and encourage others (see Ephesians 2:20).

Messengers of Hope (young women turning 14 or 15)
A Messenger of Hope carries Christ’s message of hope to the weary, speaking peace, sharing comfort, and lifting hearts through the power of the Spirit (see Mosiah 18:8–9).

Gatherers of Light (young women turning 16 or older)
A Messenger of Hope carries Christ’s message of hope to the weary, speaking peace, sharing comfort, and lifting hearts through the power of the Spirit (see Mosiah 18:8–9).

According to the official letter, the purpose is clear: to help each young woman recognize her place in God's work, remember her dignity as a divine daughter, and reflect on her spiritual progress

The change isn't just about names. It also involves a new form of organization. Beginning June 1, 2026, Young Women will move away from the class structure and be organized by age groups. On that day, all Young Women will be automatically assigned to a group based on their age during the year.

Although each group is different, the way we work will remain flexible . Bishoprics and leaders should prayerfully decide how to organize meetings and activities. In some cases, groups may meet together, especially in units with few young people. This adjustment seeks something deeper than a simple reorganization: to strengthen the sense of identity in a global Church, where every young person can feel seen, included, and with a clear purpose.

You're asking about these changes.

When will the new names be used?
Members are encouraged to begin using these systems now in meetings, activities, and daily communication. There is no need to wait for a specific date to adopt them. The official Church system (LCR) will be updated on June 1, 2026, at which time the changes will be administratively recorded.

Should the current presidencies be replaced?
Not in all cases. If a presidency remains within the same age group, it may continue serving. If it no longer corresponds to the new age group, it will need to be reorganized by the bishopric. In some cases, it will be necessary to update the callings in the system once it is available.

What is the difference between class and age group?
Previously, the organization relied on classes that could vary from unit to unit. Now, each group will be defined solely by the age the young woman reaches during the year. This creates a more uniform and clear structure worldwide.

Can they still be organized as before?
No. The class-based structure is no longer in place . Each age group is distinct and should have its own leadership. However, when necessary, groups may meet together for classes or activities, especially in units with fewer young people.

What happens if there are few or many young women?
If there are few young people, each age group should still exist if there is at least one young woman, who could even serve as president. If there are many young people, a group can be divided to facilitate organization and operation, forming new groups with their own presidents.

Who participates in the youth council?
The president of each age group participates , which allows all groups to be represented and able to contribute to the planning of the neighborhood.

How are adult leaders assigned?

• The Young Women chairwoman works with young women aged 16 and older
• Her first counselor supports those aged 14–15,
• and the second counselor supports those aged 12–13.
• When needed, advisors can be called in to support specific groups.

How do young women progress each year? The group change occurs in January of the year the girl turns 12, 14, or 16. This allows everyone to progress in an orderly fashion within their respective group.

A change that reminds us of the past

This is the first time since 2019 that the organization has reinstated specific names for its groups. That year, during the general conference, names that had been used by generations for over 60 years Beehive ,Mia Maid , and Laurels were retired.

In March 2025, during an event related to the book Carry On: The Latter-day Saint Young Women Organization, 1870–2024 , leaders and historians spoke on this topic. There, the Young Women General President explained that one of the greatest challenges today is helping young women find their identity in an increasingly complex world. He also stressed that any decision had to work in a global Church, where cultures and contexts are different, but the need to belong is the same. Therefore, this change not only recovers names, but also aims to ensure that each young person recognizes themselves as an essential part of something bigger.

Source: newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org & Church News

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