Helping families, especially parents, embrace the new Children and Youth Initiative

28 December 2019 

Email from Bishop (Name):

President,

There are a few reasons as to why we opted to have a standard Sunday. 

First, we have felt that much of the information was included in the Nov. 17th broadcast with Elder Gong, and we have really been implementing the new program pretty much already in the ward with the Youth. 

Second, we are anxious to get our YW class presidencies in place, so we plan to do that this Sunday, before the start of the new year (we have not had a class since early in the month.

Third, I only received the guidebooks last Thursday so we put plans in place for this Sunday in advance of receiving the books.

At this point we are planning on handing out the guidebooks during the standard class time this Sunday and making some announcements to the parents in Quorum, RS and Primary. We also are planning to have teachers help get the ring sizes for the ordering of the emblems. As you know the emblems should start arriving in March, we are considering a fifth Sunday combined meeting in march to hand out the emblems and do a review of what is working and what's not after we have been rolling a bit longer. 

I appreciate the suggestions for the second hour discussions, we will likely use that information in March, at this point we have quorum and class teachers prepared to teach this Sunday and I do not want to change things last minute. I also am trying to stay in line with what I think the church is doing by having families and parents take the lead on this new program. I am really hoping that families watched the broadcast and are engaging in the program with their children and aren't looking to the "church" to spoon feed them but take charge for themselves. Of course we plan to communicate and support, but I do want it to be clear the program is different (home led and much more individualized).

Thanks,

Bishop (Name)

MY RESPONSE: 

Bishop (Name),

Thank you for sharing these reasons.

First, let me say that it is your decision and I support you in it.

I appreciate your desire that parents will take the lead. While the Nov 17 broadcast was wonderful, there are still a lot of questions parents must be asking. Why else would the Brethren send out a 10-page FAQ after the broadcast? While most of the document was for leaders, parents did not receive it and the information in that document will help them. 

Personally, I would think you would want to take every opportunity to meet with the parents as often as possible to help them:

• Appreciate they’re not alone and the Church leaders will be there every step of the way to help;

• Understand their role in the new initiative (the paradigm shift is significant from (1) helping their children get to their meetings, and (2) “push” them to complete their Personal Progress or Scouting ranks to now becoming very involved in helping their children set goals and, with church support, achieve their goals—working together to help all youth become converted;

• With ideas on how to help their children use the new guidebooks;

• Understand why parents, families and leaders would benefit by setting their own goals in the 4 areas—as an example and as a learning exercise;

• When to step in and maybe not step in the goal-setting process (to give youth confidentiality, when they want it);

• What it means that the bishopric is now focusing on the youth and what are your expectations of individuals and families as more responsibility is shifted to the RS and EQ presidencies;

• With our “home-centered” focus, how are parents to interface with youth leaders and teachers to work together in helping their children become converted? When and where will that happen and how often?

• What is the expectation of parents of class and quorum presidency members? What more can parents do to help?

Etc.

I realize you want to cover all of this in March, after everyone has had a chance to try it for a while. I personally don’t think parents will figure this out that quickly after generations of the “old” way. Sending a signal to parents that the bishopric has a vision as to how families, especially parents, can embrace the new initiative is, in my opinion, very important right now. 

And, equally as important, is helping children and youth to realize there is an expectation that they are to work with their parents first on the goal-setting and, if parents are “absent,” church leaders will be there, too.

I hope you’ll find a way to communicate that to ward members, especially parents, beyond an announcement in EQ and RS this Sunday.

Thank you for giving this your consideration.

President Lewis

 

Reminder to bishops to use this Sunday, Dec 29, to introduce the new Children and Youth Initiative to families

27 December 2019

Bishops and Pioneer Branch President,

This Sunday—our final 5th Sunday of 2019—is ideal for introducing parents and children (everyone 8 years and older, if you choose)  to the Children and Youth Initiative again, but this time with more details as to how it will look in your ward, such as:

1. Distributing to children, youth AND parents a copy of the new guidebooks you received in the mail last week and reviewing how the guidebooks are to be used by the youth at home and at church;

2. Giving time to the children and youth to discuss (with their parents, if the choose) some ideas of the types of goals in the 4 areas they want to consider pursing;

3. What the weekly (or regular) children and youth activity meetings will look like in your ward and how they will be different than before (especially for boys and young men, who were involved in Scouting before);

4. How some quorums and classes may be grouped differently for Sunday meetings or weeknight activities;

4. How service is to take more of a center stage in the program;

5. How families can use the Church websites more effectively to help their children and youth increase in the 4 areas identified in Luke 2:52;

6. When the children and youth can expect their emblems of belonging (and maybe even take the time to obtain sizes for the rings) that you’ll need before placing your order;

7. Why the emphasis on quorum and class presidencies and how the presidents will now meet regularly in a Ward Youth Council;

8. Make parents aware of the youth protection training all adult leaders are to complete immediately (see New Initiative To Do’s the stake leaders prepared in early December);

9. Review the new YW and YM themes that youth will recite often;

10. Allow time for Q&A so everyone understands the plans and expectations.

I know this is late bringing this up if you weren’t already planning to use your 2nd hour this Sunday in this way (I know most of you are). And it is strictly your decision, but I strongly encourage you to consider using this Sunday to visit with parents, youth and children about the new initiative and to distribute the new guidebooks to children, youth and parents.

Thank you for your leadership of the new initiative as it launches in your ward / branch on Jan. 1.

President Lewis

P.S. If you are not planning to introduce the new initiative in your ward / branch this Sunday, will you please reply privately and explain your plan for introducing the new initiative to families in your ward / branch?

Discussing what the Stake YMYW leaders should teach to the youth in upcoming second-hour presentations of ward conferences

14 December 2019

Paul,

Thank you for sharing these. They are wonderful questions and should lead to excellent discussions.

My concerns are that by the time they go through just a couple of these questions, I suspect they’ll have the same 4-5 young people answering all the questions. Do you know if the stake leaders are planning to break the youth into smaller discussion groups or some other teaching tool so they find a way for everyone to participate?

Finally, there are some questions that could be asked that are maybe even of more importance, in my opinion:

1. President Nelson says the purpose of the new Children and Youth Initiative is to help the rising generation stay on the covenant path. What is the covenant path that he’s talking about? 

2. What are the covenants on that path and how can each covenant bless us in our future lives?

3. Why does God want to make covenants with us, His children?

4. How will the new initiative help me prepare to make covenants and stay on the covenant path throughout my life?

Maybe others...

5. What does it mean to become converted? 

6. Why is conversion to the gospel so important in today’s world?

7. How does Satan try to push us off the covenant path? And why?

Feel free to add other questions, if any come to mind. 

My concern is that the proposed questions below seem to focus on the “nuts and bolts” of the program and not on the outcome—conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the new Initiative is more than a self-improvement plan…more than to help the youth become better people in those 4 areas...but the final, overarching objective is to help them desire to live and love the gospel of Jesus Christ…and never forsake it.

Please express to our wonderful Stake YMYW leaders my thanks for sharing these wonderful questions and for continuing the discussion.

Gratefully,

Crismon

President,

Here are a list of questions and answers from the handbook that Sis. Dobson put together for potential questions during 2nd hour presentations.  We will be discussing with YM/YW presidencies tomorrow.  They are great questions and could lead to wonderful discussion with the youth!  Because of this focus and wanting to allow time for full and open discovery, I am not recommending spending as much time on the questions or showing the seminary video.  

The topic of personal conversion and how the new youth initiative can lead to this conversion, how questions and seeking through work can also lead to conversion, and how studying the Book of Mormon and first vision as the prophet invited can lead to personal conversion will be the focus as of now.  Let me know if you have strong feelings to the contrary before meeting tomorrow.  I definitely want to let the Stake YM/YW leaders counsel together after these recommendations are introduced so I will let you know a final outline once agree upon by them.  Thanks.

Paul

Sent from my iPhone



Here are a list of questions we came up with and below are some answers from the guide books. I am fine with adding other questions, rewording, or taking away some of them. 1)Why do we have this program and what does my Heavenly Father want me to gain from it? 

2) Why is the program focusing on the four categories of Spiritual, Social, Physical, Intellectual?

3)What can leaders do to help you with this program?

4) What can parents do to help you?

5) Where do you think the Lord is trying to take you with these goals?

6)What will be most difficult about taking part in this program?

7) How can you as a youth group support and strengthen each other?

8) How can I use personal revelation to accomplish my goals?

Below are the same questions with answers from the youth guide book, and parent and leaders guide book see below (I realize the youth will be coming up with their own answers but this could be a guide for us and we can direct them to these answers if needed, hopefully they will have these booklets by then) We can also use it for our leadership training 

1) Why do we have this program and what does my Heavenly Father want me to gain from it? 

You Have a Purpose

“Your Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, know you and love you. You are an important part of Their work, and you can make a great impact on the world. Heavenly Father has given you talents and spiritual gifts. You can seek revelation to know how to develop your talents, become more like Jesus Christ, and make yourself, other people, and even the world better. This personal development guidebook offers principles and tools you can use in your efforts to develop your gifts and follow Jesus Christ.”

2) Why is the program focusing on the four categories of Spiritual, Social, Physical, Intellectual?

“Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” LUKE 2:52

You Can Follow the Savior

Heavenly Father wants His children to learn and to grow. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the perfect example for all of us in every way.

SPIRITUAL Jesus increased in “favour with God.” You can grow spiritually by showing your love for God and your willingness to live the gospel.

SOCIAL Jesus grew in “favour with . . . man.” You can grow socially by showing love to all people.

PHYSICAL Jesus grew in “stature.” You can learn to work and take care of your body, your mental health, and God’s creations.

INTELLECTUAL Jesus grew in “wisdom.” You can study in school, learn new skills, and improve your talents.

3) What can leaders do to help you with this program?

Leaders, What is my role? 

Assist parents and the bishopric in guiding and inspiring young women to understand their identity as daughters of God, prepare for temple covenants, and fulfill their divine purposes. Guide class presidencies as they lead, minister to, and serve the members of their classes.

What do I do?

 Set an example as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Guide the class presidencies as they prayerfully plan and help teach lessons from Come, Follow Me—For Young Women. Encourage them to lead in planning and carrying out service and activities that will help young women to grow in all areas of their lives. Offer additional support to young women who need it.

Where do I start? Get to know the young women individually. Talk with the young women, their parents, and the bishopric about how you can support the young women’s growth. Pray to know how you can help your class presidencies succeed in their callings

4) What can parents do to help you?

Parents, What is my role? 

Be a righteous example to your children. Teach them how to grow in all areas of their lives. Find ways to help them learn the joy of keeping covenants, discovering new talents, and doing hard things. Help your family grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and live the gospel in daily life.

What do I do? Let your children know how much you love them. Be involved in their lives. Prayerfully identify their individual needs and plan gospel study and activities to address those needs. Regularly share your testimony with them. Talk with leaders about how they can help support your children.

Where do I start? Continue to talk with and listen to your children. Pray about how you can support them. Help them discover and begin working on areas of learning they are interested in. Start or continue family prayer, gospel study, service opportunities, and activities to help your children grow.

5) Where do you think the Lord is trying to take you with these goals?

6)What will be most difficult about taking part in this program?

7) How can you as a youth group support and strengthen each other?

Quorum and YW Presidencies 

What do they do? 

Presidencies should strive to be true disciples of Jesus Christ as they help each member of the quorum or class feel loved and discover the joy of living the gospel. Under the direction of the bishopric, quorum presidencies lead Aaronic Priesthood holders as they officiate in the ordinance of the sacrament. Both quorum and class presidencies lead in gathering Israel on both sides of the veil and in caring for those in need.

Where do they start?

 Presidencies learn their duties from the Lord and from their leaders. They pray for quorum or class members and get to know their needs. They support them in becoming disciples of Jesus Christ. They counsel together about which lessons, activities, and service will bless and strengthen the youth and bring unity to their quorums or classes.

8) How can I use personal revelation to accomplish my goals?

Questions 3,4,7 Remember, your growth is up to you, but you aren’t meant to do it alone. Your Heavenly Father wants to help you, and you can ask your parents, leaders, and friends for help. Look for opportunities to help others in their growth as well. Heavenly Father wants His children to love and support each other. 

In response to a father's concern that we announced to YSA branch leaders that his son was removed from the branch and YSA activities

The father of a son who was put on restriction wrote:

President Lewis, I am curious why you are asking this read to the branch council. We don't do this to excommunicated members anymore, which makes me wonder why we would do this for (Name)?

-(Name)

In response:

(Name),

I’m sorry this is so painful, not only for Justin but especially to you and Dorinda, I’m sure. Again, I’m so very sorry.

As to your question, we no longer announce disciplinary action, like an excommunication, to the entire body of the priesthood, but we still make it known to key leaders so the member under discipline is not called on to give prayers, substitute teach, etc.

I felt it important that leaders know for several reasons:

1. So branch leaders would know the facts and could clarify should rumors arise, including set the record straight that Justin was NOT excommunicated or disfellowshipped, if that rumor should start.

2. Even though (name of son) did not hold a leadership position in the branch, his influence simply due to his popularity and time in the branch was significant. At first, I had suggested to President Lindhorst that I might want to go into the EQ and RS meetings and make the announcement myself to all the branch members. But decided to confine the announcement to the leadership.

3. I wanted to send a signal to the branch via the leadership that attending the YSA Branch is a privilege and there is a line of conduct that, if crossed, will be addressed. 

I hope this is helpful. If this has caused additional pain, please forgive me. I have no ill will toward your family; in fact, I pain deeply for the suffering this whole incident has caused you and others. 

President Lewis