In a 2005 talk, Elder Ulisses Soares told a nice story about his bishop:
“My bishop invited me to a meeting and explained how I could prepare for the Aaronic Priesthood and ordination as a deacon. Towards the end of the meeting, he pulled a stack of forms from his desk and asked me to fill them out. They were documents for a mission call. I was amazed. …
“He showed that he really cared about me. He explained to me the steps I should take to prepare myself both spiritually and financially for the Lord’s service. … Then the bishop who was called after him spoke with me at least twice a year until I was 19 and encouraged me to be faithful in my preparations.
“They kept my mission forms in my file and mentioned them at every interview.”
Here are three ways (with specific suggestions from the Young Men general presidency) that local leaders can have a similar influence on the youth in their ward.
1. Clarify the responsibilities of adults working with young people
When counselors and professionals are called in to help youth, the bishop or Young Women president should communicate responsibilities and expectations early, giving youth an opportunity to act without having to wait for someone to tell them what to do.
Here are some suggestions from the Young Men general presidency:
- Appoint a consultant to monitor weekday activities.
- Call another adviser who works with a quorum or class presidency and attends those presidency meetings.
- Assign a counselor to supervise Sunday classes.
- Assign another counselor to ensure that the sacrament is available each week.
- Call a specialist to ensure that young people are registered for FSY and that they have pre- and post-conference experiences that will enrich them beyond the week they attend.
- Call another specialist to oversee the camps and overnight stays.
- In larger wards, appoint an assistant ward secretary to coordinate all youth-related activities, such as planning and attending ward youth councils, arranging regular interviews, and managing other administrative tasks so the bishop can focus on building relationships with the youth.
2. The Young Women President and the Bishop should meet regularly
As the Young Men general presidency puts it, “One task that should not be delegated is coordination with the Young Women president and her presidency. Things run much more smoothly when there is a set time when they can meet and share their concerns, plans, and needs. They meet in ward council and ward youth council, but other times should also be set when they can make sure they are on the same page regarding the youth’s progress and building relationships with them.”
3. Build positive relationships with teens by being consistent and present
The two-hour service was a blessing, but it also brought a small challenge because the young men and women do not see the same leaders and teachers every week, and it is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle. And in the words of the Young Men general presidency, “One of the things that gives young people strength and motivation to attend church is relationships—not only with peers but also with loving and caring adults, including the bishop. Contacts—even greetings—each week foster those positive relationships.”
The Young Men Presidency proposes the following solutions:
- Consider having only one Sunday School teacher for youth rather than rotating classes so that they have the same teacher every other week.
- During the weeks when Young Women classes and priests quorums meet, the bishop could greet the boys at the meeting and then participate in class with the girls, or vice versa.
- During Sunday school weeks, the bishop might attend a class or at least greet the youth as they enter or leave their classrooms.
- Discuss it in your local council and get inspiration for the circumstances of your community.
For more thoughts and insights from the Young Men presidency, visit the News from the Church.
For more great articles on supporting youth and young adults in your community, check out the links below.
► 6 spiritual questions your teenagers sincerely ask – and how you can answer them
► 5 insights about the seminar that all parents should know
► The Lord knows his youth: How FSY brought peace to my sister
