New Policies, Procedures, Resources
Children and youth will progress from one class or quorum to the next as age-groups in January rather than after their birthdays.
Statement on temples. The First Presidency issued a statement on January 2, 2019, stating in part: “Over these many centuries, details associated with temple work have been adjusted periodically, including language, methods of construction, communication, and record-keeping. Prophets have taught that there will be no end to such adjustments as directed by the Lord to His servants.”
Children and youth advancement. Children now complete Primary and youth move from one class or quorum to the next as age-groups in January rather than after their individual birthdays. This also means that youth may receive a limited-use temple recommend for the first time in January of the year they turn 12, and young men may be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood in January of the year they turn 12.
More opportunities for service. LDS Charities has announced its partnership with JustServe.org to launch the #YouCanDoSomething initiative, inviting people to serve locally and donate to good causes globally to help change the world. To get started, visit the “How to Help” page at LDSCharities.org.
New ministering resources. The web page This Is Ministering (ministering.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) has been updated with additional articles and videos. Resources on the site can help members reach out in compassion, build more meaningful relationships, improve their listening skills, and more. New content includes Ministering Principles articles that have been published in the Ensign and Liahona magazines, links to general conference talks about ministering, and shareable videos, quotes, and scriptures.
Hope and healing for victims of abuse. A new Church web page, abuse.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, offers resources and practical tools for victims of abuse and for those who want to help prevent abuse. The First Presidency also issued a letter on March 26, 2019, encouraging Church leaders to reach out in love to assist those suffering from abuse. With the letter was a resource document updating guidelines for how bishops and stake presidencies counsel victims of sexual abuse and how they conduct interviews with Church members. The Church also released a video, “Protect the Child,” and updated the Gospel Topics article on abuse.
New features and apps. The Study Plans feature in the latest update of the Gospel Library app enables you to set up a schedule for studying any content found in the app. Ordinances Ready is a new FamilySearch tool that simplifies finding names for the temple, allowing you more time to serve your family and enjoy the blessings of the temple. And FamilySearch has nearly three dozen new in-home activities, such as “Walk Where They Walked,” to help engage younger members with family history. The activities are available in 10 languages.
Larger productions discouraged. While local celebrations of culture and history may be appropriate, the Church now discourages larger productions such as pageants. Three pageants will continue: the Nauvoo Pageant in Illinois, USA, with support from Church headquarters; the Mesa Pageant in Arizona, USA, under area leadership; and the British Pageant, under area leadership, to be held every four years. The Church has also discontinued youth cultural celebrations prior to temple dedications in favor of youth devotionals with visiting Church leaders.