In response to my First Counselor about asking wards to replace summer camps with an activity that focuses on strengthening testimonies

12 May 2020

Paul,

Thank you for your most thoughtful response. I know you feel you don’t express yourself well in writing, but you did a masterful job in sharing your feelings. You are very convincing. I made many of the changes to the document you recommended.

I believe we’re on the same page. We definitely want the same thing: the youth to pick up the baton and move forward the work especially with a focus on growing faith. 

I think maybe our only disagreement is the level of responsibility we place on the youth presidencies.

I, too, want to see it rest fully upon the youth, but feel we should allow bishoprics and YW presidencies to decide how and when it happens. Hopefully our stake training will be convincing enough for the adult leaders to ultimately "let them lead.” But I don’t feel we should mandate from the stake that the youth have full responsibility and final say.

It’s very important to me personally that we teach that the objective of summer camps is to strengthen testimonies and we ask that they make it the objective of the special youth summer activity in each ward and branch. And, if it becomes difficult for the youth to figure out what to do after praying about it, that they not think they have the option of doing nothing. Adult leaders are there to help them with ideas, encouragement and coaching.

With all respect to Sister Cordon, I would rather risk the youth planning something good for a lesser reason (to please us), than risk the youth feeling that it’s…

…OK to do nothing because it was too hard; or

…OK to say “no" to priesthood leaders who feel inspired that every class/quorum presidency should plan a summer activity to strengthen testimonies; or

…OK to think that because they didn’t get an answer to their prayers that it must mean the Lord doesn’t want them to do anything.

It’s not OK.

I hope we can help youth presidencies understand their calling includes shouldering some responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their class or quorum members…and that we expect them to do something beyond the weekly activity nights this summer to reach and bless those for whom they have stewardship…even if it’s something as simple as having a class or quorum fast and then concluding their fast together on Zoom with a prayer.

I’m so very grateful for your leadership in overseeing our unified efforts to bless and strengthen the youth of our stake.

Crismon