Two New General Committees Organized

The First Presidency has announced the formation of two new general committees to serve under the supervision of the executive director and managing directors of the Priesthood Department.

Melchizedek Priesthood General Committee

A new Melchizedek Priesthood General Committee will provide assistance to the General Authorities in matters pertaining to Melchizedek Priesthood quorum administration and curriculum, home teaching, family home evening, the programs for single adults, and other quorum and family leadership concerns.

The twenty members of the committee are assigned to evaluate existing materials and programs, to propose adjustments wherever necessary, and to produce new curriculum and administrative materials.

Church Activities Committee

A new Activities Committee has been organized at the general Church level to foster cultural arts, recreation, and athletic activities among Church members. Three persons comprise this committee, which acts as a resource to the General Authorities. The committee has two coordinating subcommittees, one for cultural arts and the other for physical activities.

The Church Activities Committee will have its counterparts at both the stake and the ward levels. These Activities Committees replace the former ward and stake Service and Activities Committees as of 1 September 1977. Moreover, these committees will now coordinate and encourage a wide variety of activities for all organizations in the wards and stakes in addition to the youth activity programs.

The Priesthood Department is directed by the Priesthood Executive Committee, comprised of Elder Gordon B. Hinckley as chairman, Elder Marvin J. Ashton, and Elder L. Tom Perry.

Young Men / Young Women Organization Former	Changes in Function Approved	General Church	Stake	Ward
1. Presiding Bishopric supervises youth programs	Managing Director of Youth supervises the youth program under the direction of the PEC	X
2. Presiding Bishopric presides over Aaronic Priesthood General Committee	Young Men General Presidency presides over Young Men General Board	X
3. Presiding Bishopric chairman of the General Church Scouting Committee	Managing Director of Youth is chairman of the General Church Scouting Committee	X
4. Aaronic Priesthood Handbook	Aaronic Priesthood Handbook including instructions for Young Men activities	X	X	X
5. “Stake High Council Advisers”	“Stake Young Men Presidency” (with age-group advisers where needed)		X
6. Chairman of the Stake Committee for the Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women—president	Chairman of the Stake Young Men–Young Women Committee—counselor in the stake presidency		X
7. Counselor in stake presidency attends as needed the Stake Young Women Committee Meeting	High councilor adviser attends as needed the Stake Young Women Committee Meeting		X
8. Young Women presidency receives priesthood direction and training from the stake presidency	Young Women presidency receives priesthood direction through counselor in the stake presidency. A high councilor serves as an adviser to the stake Young Women organization		X
9. Bishopric presides at “youth activity night”	Counselor in bishopric presides at “Mutual”			X
10. Bishopric presides at Ward Aaronic Priesthood Committee Meeting	Young Men presidency presides at Ward Young Men Committee Meeting under the direction of the bishopric			X
11. Chairmen of the Ward Committee for the Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women—bishop	Chairman of the Ward Young Men–Young Women Committee—counselor in bishopric			X

Young Men / Young Women Organization Former	Changes in Nomenclature Approved	General Church	Stake	Ward
1. Organizational title—“Aaronic Priesthood”	Organizational title—“Young Men”	X	X	X
2. Director of Aaronic Priesthood	Young Men Presidency	X	X	X
3. Aaronic Priesthood General Committee	Young Men General Board	X
4. Committee for the Aaronic Priesthood and the Young Women	Young Men–Young Women Committee	X	X	X
5. Young Women General Committee	Young Women General Board	X
6. “Youth activity night”	“Mutual”			X
7. “Bishop’s Youth Committee”	“Bishopric Youth Committee”			X
8. Stake Director of Young Women	Stake Young Women Presidency		X
9. Ward Young Women President	Ward Young Women Presidency			X
10. Service and Activities Committee	Activities Committee (The Activities Committee is no longer a Young Men–Young Women committee but now serves all Church organizations under the direction of appropriate priesthood leaders.)	X	X	X