A press conference was held yesterday at the Church History Library to announce the release of a 429 page book titled “Carry On: The Latter-day Saint Young Women Organization, 1870–2024.” It covers the history beginning with Brigham Young’s daughters, up to the present day. And “this is not the end of it; it will continue,” Elder Hugo E. Martinez Jr. quipped as he began the gathering.
Amber Taylor, James Goldberg, and Lisa Olson-Tate represented the writers (the 4th writer was the late Kate Holbrook, who was also remembered during the event). They each spoke for a few minutes, followed by the current Young Women President, Emily Belle Freeman. Then there was a question and answer period, during which they all took turns discussing questions that were asked.
Among the highlights of what was shared was the idea that much can be learned about a religion by what they discuss and do with their youth. The organization has existed for over 150 years with the purpose of helping young women develop faith in Jesus Christ.
This is an academic book, yet it was made accessible for anyone to read. It talks about people and their experiences worldwide, such as young women in Mexico and the Philippines. James Goldberg pointed out that there is much men can learn from understanding women’s history through this book.
The book is the first of its kind about the Young Women organization, using sources that had not been examined since their creation. It is part of a larger women’s history initiative in the Church, joining the history of the Relief Society and the diaries and sermons of women.
President Freeman said she was given a manuscript of the book when she was first called, and it inspired her to include young adults on the recently formed Young Women’s council. They have been influential in shaping things today just like a similar council was in 1890.
The book is available in hardcover and e-book. It will also eventually be published online. More information is available at https://www.churchhistorianspress.org/young-women.
You can watch segments of the press conference on the FAIR YouTube channel, which will be published over the next few days.
Trevor Holyoak is the Vice President of FAIR. He has been actively involved with FAIR for over 20 years and received the John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award in 2014. He graduated magna cum laude from Weber State University with a BS in computer science and now works as a programmer and systems administrator. He is currently serving as a young mens advisor in his ward and is also involved in the leadership of the Utah Valley Amateur Radio Club. He and his wife have five children and live in Cedar Hills, Utah.
