My Calling as a Young Men President

Getting Started

From the Young Men General Presidency

Dear Young Men President,

Welcome to your new calling! Your most important priority as a Young Men leader is to help young men become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and live by its teachings. This includes helping them prepare to fulfill their divine roles. The following three principles will help you achieve this purpose:

1. Be with them.

2. Connect them with heaven.

3. Let them lead.

Activities are an important part of each of these principles. Young Men leaders help the young men plan meaningful experiences.

We are grateful for your willingness to serve and for your wonderful example to the young men.

The Young Men General Presidency

You Are Not Alone

You have been called to minister to the young men in your ward. As a newly called 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 young men in your ward, He will magnify your efforts at home and in your calling. You will feel His love for you, for the young men, and for their families.

Where to Start

Before You Are Sustained

• Counsel with the bishopric about where to begin. Discuss your thoughts and impressions about potential counselors and a secretary, and recommend brethren to call. The bishop and his counselors are the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward. The Young Men presidency serves under their direction as advisers to the Aaronic Priesthood quorums.

• Seek guidance from the Spirit through prayer, scripture study, fasting, and, if possible, temple attendance.

• Read “Aaronic Priesthood,” chapter 8 of Handbook 2: Administering the Church (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), especially the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood (see 8.1.3). Also review chapters 1–5 in Handbook 2, which summarize the doctrinal foundation of God’s plan and give more guidance.

• Seek to understand your responsibilities as a Young Men president and the responsibilities of your presidency (see Handbook 2, 8.3.4–8.3.5).

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.

• Counsel with the Aaronic Priesthood quorum presidents to learn about the strengths and needs of each young man.

• Hold regular Young Men presidency meetings. Work with the 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?”)

• Attend regular quorum presidency meetings. Work with the quorum president to schedule meetings and create agendas. (See “Attend Quorum Presidency Meetings” under “What Should I Focus On?”)

• Participate in other leadership meetings, such as ward council and bishopric youth committee meetings. (See “Participate in Ward Council and Bishopric Youth Committee Meetings” under “What Should I Focus On?”)

• Teach and support Aaronic Priesthood quorum leaders as they lead their quorums and plan activities that build unity, provide service, and prepare young men for future roles.

• Access reports and lists on Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) or in the Member Tools mobile app to help your presidency get to know members of the Young Men and be aware of the strengths and needs of the organization.

• Under the direction of the bishop, participate in training from the stake Young Men presidency and in other training as available.

• To ensure the safety of children and youth, complete an online training course, accessed at protectingchildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. The course will take about 30 minutes to complete. You are required to complete the course and renew the training every three years.

• Study the principles in Teaching in the Savior’s Way (2016).