Getting Started

From the Young Men General Presidency

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young men general presidency

Dear Stake Young Men President,

Welcome to your new calling! As a member of the high council, you have been given the additional calling to serve as the stake Young Men president. Thank you for accepting this call to serve. As you study this material, you will be guided by the Holy Ghost in how to bless the Aaronic Priesthood quorums in your stake and be of service to your stake presidency. As you act on those promptings, God will magnify your work, and you will be a great blessing to the stake presidency, bishoprics, advisers, and young men you serve.

We know that Heavenly Father loves His sons dearly, and He loves you!

The Young Men General Presidency

You Are Not Alone

You have been called to minister to members of bishoprics, who serve as the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood in each ward, and other ward Aaronic Priesthood leaders. As a newly called stake Young Men president, you will likely feel a range of emotions about your responsibilities. Remember that you are not alone. This calling is a partnership with the Lord. As you seek the Lord’s guidance in serving the Aaronic Priesthood leaders in your stake, He will magnify your efforts at home and in your calling. You will feel His love for you, for the Aaronic Priesthood leaders, and for the young men in your stake.

Where to Start

Before You Are Sustained

Counsel with the stake president and the stake presidency counselor over youth about where to begin. Discuss your thoughts and impressions about potential counselors and a secretary, and recommend brethren to call. The stake president may choose to assign two other high councilors to serve as your counselors.
Seek guidance from the Spirit through prayer, scripture study, fasting, and, if possible, temple attendance.
Read “Stake Organizations” (General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [ChurchofJesusChrist.org], 6.7).
Read “Aaronic Priesthood Quorums,” chapter 10 in the General Handbook, especially the definition of the Aaronic Priesthood (see 10.1) and the Aaronic Priesthood Theme.
Review chapters 1–4 in the General Handbook, which summarize the doctrinal foundation of God’s plan and give more guidance.
Seek to understand your responsibilities as a stake Young Men president and the responsibilities of your presidency (see General Handbook, 6.7.2).

After You Are Sustained and Set Apart

With so many responsibilities, remember that your family is your first priority.
Continue to pray for guidance about your service. Seek guidance about how your counselors can share the responsibilities of your presidency.
Hold regular presidency meetings. Work with the stake Young Men secretary to prepare an agenda, and ask him to record notes and assignments. (See “Plan and Conduct Presidency Meetings” under “What Should I Focus On?”)
Participate in other leadership meetings, such as stake council and stake youth leadership committee meetings. (See “Participate in Stake Council and Stake Youth Leadership Committee Meetings” under “What Should I Focus On?”)
As a presidency, meet regularly with the stake presidency counselor over youth.
Access reports and lists on Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) or in the Member Tools mobile app to help your presidency get to know each bishopric and be aware of the strengths and needs of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums in each ward.
Assist the members of the stake presidency in their responsibility to oversee the Aaronic Priesthood in the stake. As part of your responsibility, your presidency orients, instructs, and supports bishoprics in their duty to lead the Aaronic Priesthood quorums in their wards. (See “Know and Minister to Ward Aaronic Priesthood Leaders” under “What Should I Focus On?)
To ensure the safety of children and youth, complete the training course found at ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. You are required to renew this training every three years.
Study the principles in Teaching in the Savior’s Way (2016).
Provide training to stake and ward leaders. “Serve as a resource to bishoprics in their responsibilities for Aaronic Priesthood brethren. This could include helping them understand their duties for Aaronic Priesthood quorums, as directed by the stake president” (General Handbook, 6.7.2).