Young Single Adults
Existing Church Resources and Solutions

“Existing Church Resources and Solutions,” Strengthening Young Single Adults (2022)

crowd singing

Existing Church Resources and Solutions

Consider the following resources and solutions as you build your YSA plan. For each resource below, guidance is provided on how much flexibility YSA committee members have for adapting these solutions.

Church Units

Church units (branches, districts, wards, and stakes) provide opportunities for young single adults to worship and to participate in the work of salvation and exaltation (see Ephesians 4:11–13). In these units, young single adults gather regularly to worship God, develop faith in Jesus Christ, receive ordinances, socialize, and find strength during spiritual and temporal challenges (see Moroni 6:4–6).

If you belong to a YSA unit, see “YSA Units” for ideas you can consider.

Possible Discussion Questions

  • How are the Church units in our area supporting young single adults?

  • How could we improve the YSA experience in our Church units?

  • Can we do more to connect young single adults in our wards to young single adults in the stake or region?

  • Do we have a place where young single adults can gather (a meetinghouse or institute building)?

  • Do young single adults have opportunities for meaningful service in our Church units?

Specific Guidelines

  • Remember the capacity, strength, and influence of young single adults and the impact they can have on Church units. Young single adults can serve in most callings (see General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14.0).

  • Consider the variety of individual needs and experiences of young single adults and how to support those who may feel isolated in a geographic unit.

  • Ensure that all young single adults are known and nurtured.

Possible Options for Consideration and Development

  • Consider ways to bring young single adults together in second-hour experiences (see “Second Hour”).

  • Encourage and work with local leaders to engage young single adults in serving and strengthening the units they worship in (see “Church Callings”).

  • Create an experience designed to attract young single adults currently in the ward or stake. For example:

    • One ward in the stake designated for young single adults to attend

    • Weekly activities

    • A monthly testimony meeting

    • Weekly or monthly service opportunities

    • A local gathering place (see “Establishing a YSA Gathering Place,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

  • Work with local leaders to propose creating a YSA unit if you feel that would be the best way to strengthen young single adults in your area (see “YSA Units”).

Steps to Take

  1. Approve changes through appropriate leadership committees.

  2. Create a plan to introduce changes to young single adults participating in geographic units.

woman talking to men

YSA Units

YSA units provide opportunities for young single adults to worship together and to participate in the work of salvation and exaltation among fellow Saints at a similar stage in life (see Ephesians 4:13). In these units, young single adults gather regularly to worship God, develop faith in Jesus Christ, receive ordinances, socialize, and find strength during spiritual and temporal challenges (see Moroni 6:4–6).

Possible Discussion Questions

  • What are the benefits and challenges of having a YSA unit?

  • Why are young single adults choosing to attend or not attend a YSA unit?

  • How could we improve the experience in our YSA unit?

  • How can we include the young single adults attending geographic units in the activities of YSA units?

  • How do we make sure that activities in geographic units and YSA units do not compete?

Specific Guidelines

  • Do not create a new YSA unit without following the approval process for new units (see General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 37.2). If a YSA unit needs to be created, work with your stake president.

Possible Options for Consideration and Development

  • Transition young single adults as a cohort (for example, on January 1) rather than on birthdays.

  • Establish combined units for married and single young adults (most common in a university setting).

Steps to Take

Work with stake leadership to:

  1. Identify the boundaries of current units and how the desired changes might affect them.

  2. Complete a membership assessment of impacted units.

  3. Complete a population tree to ensure a balance of members in each unit.

  4. Complete the Ward or Branch Organization Application form for all proposed changes (found in Leader and Clerk Resources).

man teaching class

Church Callings

Young single adults can contribute significantly to the kingdom of God. They also bring unique perspectives and experiences that can bless and strengthen all Church members. They can serve in any calling in the stake except bishop, stake president, or stake patriarch.

Possible Discussion Questions

  • What new and meaningful callings or assignments would allow young single adults to participate in the work of salvation and exaltation?

  • How can we help young single adults feel needed in the callings they have?

  • Where are young single adults currently being underused?

  • What types of callings, assignments, or service opportunities would those who are not participating be most likely to accept?

Specific Guidelines

  • Avoid creating callings that are not meaningful. “Meaningful” will mean different things to different people, but all should feel that they are needed where they serve.

  • Start by focusing on ward and stake callings that could benefit from the influence of young single adults.

  • In YSA units, call young single adults to most leadership positions (see General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 37.2.2, 37.3.2).

Possible Options for Consideration and Development

  • Encourage leaders to consider young single adults when identifying people who can serve in a calling, including leadership callings.

  • Ensure that every young single adult has a ministering assignment.

  • Consider a variety of opportunities for young single adults to serve in the temple, participate in family history work, and share the gospel with others.

  • Consider callings and assignments that could extend the influence of young single adults into the broader community.

woman teaching class

Second Hour

The second hour of the Sunday meeting block should help young single adults build their faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, increase their gospel understanding, feel a sense of belonging and connection, and appreciate the gospel’s relevance in their lives.

Possible Discussion Questions

  • What are the preferred outcomes for second-hour experiences? What experiences in these Church meetings will most effectively achieve these outcomes?

  • What are the needs of young single adults that can be addressed in second-hour meetings?

  • What are the challenges to our current second-hour experience?

  • How would we create a second-hour experience that is attractive and accessible to all young single adults (regardless of strength of faith, learning style, or life experience)?

Specific Guidelines

  • Use the same scriptural and doctrinal curriculum that other Church members are using.

  • Maintain a safe environment where everyone is encouraged to interact and participate.

  • Ensure that members have a variety of teacher and class options.

  • Follow the approved meeting pattern of the Church (mixed groups for Sunday School weeks and elders quorum and Relief Society on assigned weeks).

  • Consider how potential changes would impact young single adults in both geographic and YSA units.

Possible Options for Consideration and Development

  • Have smaller classes tailored to support different learning styles, encourage relevant discussion and sharing experiences, and create meaningful social connections. Examples include the following:

    • Service-focused classes

    • Music-focused classes

    • Multimedia-focused classes

  • Have virtual or hybrid classes so that those who may not be able to attend in person can still participate in gospel learning.

  • Provide a fifth-Sunday special emphasis on topics relevant to local young single adults. Examples include the following:

    • Topical and potentially challenging issues

    • Self-reliance

    • Addiction recovery

Approve changes to second-hour meetings through appropriate leadership councils and create a plan to introduce changes to young single adults.

men studying

Institute

The institute of religion program provides opportunities for young single adults to fulfill the Savior’s invitation to “teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:77) through weekday gospel study classes.

Institute is a Christ-centered, scripture-based, and learner-focused program intended to help participants draw nearer to God, strengthen their faith in Christ and His restored gospel, and progress along the covenant path (see Joshua 1:8; John 5:39; 2 Nephi 31:21).

Possible Discussion Questions

  • What have Church leaders taught about the importance of institute and gospel learning?

  • What kinds of experiences are local young single adults having with institute?

  • How can the institute program be adapted to make it more relevant and accessible to local young single adults?

  • Do we know our local Seminaries and Institutes of Religion (S&I) personnel? What part might they play in our YSA committee meetings?

Specific Guidelines

  • All young single adults ages 18–30 are encouraged to attend institute classes whether they are attending school or not.

  • Institute of religion programs are established under the direction of priesthood leaders and S&I personnel to meet the needs of young single adults.

  • Stake presidents may establish stake-based institute classes in areas where campus-based classes are not available.

  • Stake-based institute programs generally focus on the needs of young single adults who are not college students. They emphasize attendance and learning over earning credit.

  • Students may complete course requirements to graduate from institute or to earn credit that will transfer to a Church university.

  • Some young single adults may wish to earn an institute graduation diploma, and others may not. The needs of young single adults, not graduation requirements, should influence what the institute program looks like in your area.

Possible Options for Consideration and Development

  • Stakes may combine to offer institute classes on a multistake level.

  • Young single adults may be interested in an “institute night” during which classes are paired with a meal or a social activity.

  • Consider how institute might be incorporated into a local YSA gathering place.

  • Explore adaptations to institute classes, such as day and time, length of classes, number of weeks a class is held, workshops on special topics, and so on.

Steps to Take

  1. Listen to young single adults to understand what their institute experience has been and how it could improve.

  2. Work closely with stake presidencies and local S&I personnel to organize or adapt an institute program that best meets the needs of young single adults in your area.

group working in garden

Service

Young single adults should receive formal and informal opportunities to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27) and make a real difference in causes they are passionate about.

Possible Discussion Questions

  • How can JustServe be used to help young single adults in our area identify meaningful service opportunities? (Use this link to contact a JustServe representative in your area.)

  • How could meaningful service opportunities positively impact young single adults?

  • What are the challenges to finding meaningful service opportunities?

  • What types of service opportunities could have the most impact on our local communities?

  • What groups could we work alongside?

  • How can we help build relationships as we serve?

Specific Guidelines

  • Avoid service opportunities that are not meaningful (not enough work to keep all engaged).

  • Allow young single adults to select the service opportunities as often as possible.

  • Ensure that young single adults lead the effort.

Possible Options for Consideration and Development

  • Use or expand upon existing Church and community resources, such as JustServe, self-reliance courses, the addiction recovery program, temple and family history work, or EnglishConnect.

  • Partner with other wards, branches, and stakes on projects.

  • Partner with other religious organizations, governments, or nonprofits on major existing community initiatives.

  • Help the community with a new major initiative (such as building a soup kitchen).

  • Expand opportunities for full-time or part-time service missionaries.

  • Expand service-based callings (see “Church Callings”).

  • Formalize ongoing projects (such as tutoring, mentoring, or monthly shifts at a food bank).

group standing in front of temple

Serving and Worshipping in the Temple

President Nelson taught, “Positive spiritual momentum increases as we worship in the temple. … I plead with you to counter worldly ways by focusing on the eternal blessings of the temple. Your time there brings blessings for eternity” (“Now Is the Time,” Liahona, May 2022, 126).

As young single adults gather in the temple, they will feel hope, peace, and love, and they will receive the light they need to overcome the challenges they face.

Possible Discussion Questions

  • How can temple worship and service help the young single adults with the challenges they face?

  • What keeps young single adults from worshipping and serving in the temple? How can we help?

  • What can we teach to help young single adults find more power in their lives by worshipping and serving in the temple?

  • How can we prepare young single adults to receive the covenants of the temple and stay on the covenant path?

  • How can we encourage young single adults to gather and serve at the temple?

  • How can we help young single adults make family history a part of their temple work?

Specific Guidelines

  • Consult General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 25.5, 26–27 for policies about temple attendance and temple callings. Note that young single adults may “approach the bishop about serving” as temple workers (25.5.1).

  • When making plans to attend the temple, consider how to help young single adults prepare to have a good experience in the temple.

  • When planning a YSA activity at the temple, confirm your appointment with the temple in advance and notify them of any special needs your group may have.

Possible Options for Consideration and Development

  • Consider organizing a temple preparation class for young single adults who are preparing to receive their endowment or be sealed.

  • Organize a regular temple experience for young single adults to participate in. President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “Make an appointment regularly with the Lord—to be in His holy house—then keep that appointment with exactness and joy” (“Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 114).

  • Plan devotional topics, sacrament meeting topics, home evening topics, or activities pertaining to the temple or family history.

  • Counsel with local priesthood leaders, including the temple presidency, about ways young single adults can be more actively involved in local temple and family history work.

  • Plan ways to inform young single adults of opportunities to serve as ordinance workers or volunteers in the temple.

group taking selfie

YSA Conferences

YSA conferences are optional, large-scale activities for young single adults held under the direction of the Area Presidency. A YSA conference may be based on a theme chosen by a YSA planning committee and local leadership. It should include devotionals, workshops, service, and activities designed to help strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and foster a feeling of community with other young single adults.

Possible Discussion Questions

  • Are there enough interested young single adults in the area to hold an effective conference?

  • What might be the benefits of creating a YSA conference?

  • What are the challenges to hosting a YSA conference?

  • Can the conference be made available to young single adults outside the local area?

  • What other considerations will help us know if this is a solution we should work on?

Specific Guidelines

  • Receive approval from the Area Presidency to organize a YSA conference.

  • Establish a YSA conference planning committee.

  • Allow the YSA planning committee and local leadership to take the lead in organizing and implementing the conference.

  • Choose an appropriate venue to hold the conference.

  • Include experiences that foster interaction among young single adults and build faith in Jesus Christ.

  • Ensure that topics for the workshops and devotionals are relevant to the local YSA population.

  • Announce the conference far enough in advance for young single adults to arrange to participate.

  • Allow for free time during the conference for reflection and informal socializing.

When Area Presidencies choose to hold a YSA conference, use the Young Single Adult Conference Guidelines to assist the planning efforts.

man and woman

YSA Devotionals

YSA devotionals are optional events held under the direction of a bishop, stake president, or Area Presidency. YSA devotionals typically include a prayer, a hymn or musical selection, and a relevant gospel-centered message by a selected individual or individuals.

Possible Discussion Questions

  • What might be the benefits of having devotionals?

  • What are the challenges?

  • What are the needs of young single adults in our area that can be addressed through a devotional?

  • Should the devotional be in person, broadcast, or both?

  • What format (such as a talk, discussion, or panel) will be most effective for the message and target audience?

  • How can devotionals be made accessible to everyone, including those who speak other languages and those with disabilities?

Specific Guidelines

  • When planning a devotional, consider the interests, needs, and experiences of young single adults in the area.

  • Young single adults should be the primary organizers and leaders of the devotional.

  • Stake presidencies, bishoprics, and other leaders should support and promote the experience before and after it takes place.

  • Devotionals may be held at a ward, stake, or multistake level.

Possible Options for Consideration and Development

  • Consider various formats. Don’t be afraid to explore formats that haven’t previously been tried in your area. For example:

    • In-person gathering

    • Virtual gathering

    • Panel discussions

    • Group discussions

    • Sacrament meeting–style messages

    • Musical numbers

    • Workshops

  • The topic of a devotional should always have a spiritual component and help bring young single adults closer to Christ. For example, topics could include the following:

    • The work of salvation and exaltation

    • Doctrinal topics

    • Service opportunities

    • Challenging issues

    • Addiction recovery

    • Church history

    • Emergency preparedness

    • Self-reliance

    • Mental health and emotional resilience

    • Media safety

    • Christlike attributes

group sitting in a circle

A YSA Gathering Place

Young single adults and their friends love to gather and participate in wholesome activities and experiences that bring them closer to one another and to God. A gathering place is a designated location (in an existing meetinghouse or institute building) for young single adults and their friends to gather and participate in one or more of the following:

  • Religious education and gospel learning (such as institute classes, Come, Follow Me study groups, gospel discussions, or devotionals)

  • Service and social activities (such as community and humanitarian service, including JustServe projects, dances, cultural events, or home evening groups)

  • Temple and family history activities, including temple preparation

  • Self-reliance and educational opportunities (such as self-reliance courses or BYU–Pathway Worldwide)

  • Missionary activities (such as fellowshipping or mission preparation activities)

  • Community outreach activities (see “Connect with Communities: Share Church Resources,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

For more information, see “Establishing a YSA Gathering Place” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Possible Discussion Questions

  • What kind of social interaction will help young single adults develop a sense of belonging?

  • How can social activities strengthen faith in Jesus Christ?

  • How will establishing a place for young single adults to gather bless them spiritually and socially?

Specific Guidelines

  • A stake president uses the stake YSA committee (see General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14.1.1.2) to administer a YSA gathering place. For gathering places that serve multiple stakes, this committee could include young single adults from each stake.

  • The stake YSA committee follows Church guidelines for activities (see General Handbook, chapter 20).

  • If the stake YSA committee has access to an institute building, the institute director (or coordinator) plays a key role in supporting the YSA gathering place.

  • Operating funds and budgetary expenditures come from the stake’s (or stakes’) YSA budget (see General Handbook, 14.2.1.3), supplemented by the area budget as needed.