Susan Winder Tanner

Twelfth Young Women General President

2002–2008

Quotation

“If young women know of God’s love for them, it will influence and shape all of their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They will understand they have a mission to perform in this life. They will have confidence in their ability to make responsible, righteous decisions. They will be able to resist temptation, to flee from worldly things, to dress modestly as is becoming of a divine daughter of God.”

(Susan W. Tanner, unpublished quotation, Resource Room, Relief Society Building, Salt Lake City)

Story

“I remember well the insecurities I felt as a teenager with a bad case of acne. I tried to care for my skin properly. My parents helped me get medical attention. For years I even went without eating chocolate and all the greasy fast foods around which teens often socialize, but with no obvious healing consequences. It was difficult for me at that time to fully appreciate this body which was giving me so much grief. But my good mother taught me a higher law. Over and over she said to me, ‘You must do everything you can to make your appearance pleasing, but the minute you walk out the door, forget yourself and start concentrating on others.’

“There it was. She was teaching me the Christlike principle of selflessness.”

(Susan W. Tanner, “The Sanctity of the Body,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 15)

Events

  • 2004—Young Women section of the Church’s website, ChurchofJesusChrist.org, is launched.
  • 2004—The first organization leadership training is done via satellite.
  • 2004–6—First youth devotionals and youth discussions are held in the Tabernacle and broadcast.
  • 2004–7—Many large Church camping properties are developed.
  • 2006—Large youth cultural events, especially temple celebrations and celebrations of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s birthday, are reestablished.
  • 2007—Young Women Camp: A Guide for Priesthood and organization Leaders is published.