About fifteen years earlier Brigham Young, then president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints otherwise known as the Mormon Church), had set in motion the official organization of the young women of the Church. He saw in them a troubling trend in becoming too focused on the things of the world. After the Retrenchment Society was put together their community saw a wonderful transformation in the girls into productive, helpful members.
In 1900 he began to worry about the young men of the Church as well, particularly in the winter months when there was far too much time to fill up. When it came to the social aspect of their lives there really wasn’t anything to help direct them. It was then the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association was formed, which later became the Young Men’s Program.
The Young Men’s program is set up much like the other organizations of the Latter-day Saint Church. A presidency consisting of men of the Church is called. This includes the president, 1st and 2nd counselors, and a secretary. Teachers are also asked to come in and help lead.
The young men range in age from 12-17 years old and are split up into three different classes, or quorums. The names of these quorums will probably sound familiar to many of you. The youngest are the Deacons at 12-13. Next come the Teachers at 14-15, and then follow the Priests at 16-17. From the members of these quorums individual presidencies are then set up. The only difference is in the Priest’s Quorum where the bishop (leader of the congregation) is the president.
As the names signify, young men who are found worthy by the bishop and other leaders of the church are then given the Aaronic Priesthood (visit “What is the Aaronic Priesthood” for a more complete post). This is a heavy responsibility, and should not be taken lightly.
There are two separate programs the young men are involved in to help them set and accomplish goals. These goals will help to guide them in making better choices throughout these years. The first is the Scouting Program. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is actively involved in the scouting program beginning in Cub Scouts and following through to Boy Scouts. Many of the men in our Church at one time or another became involved in scouting, became Eagle Scouts, and even went on to continue as leaders.
The other program is specifically for the young men of our Church. It’s called the Duty to God program. It It encourages the young men to set and achieve worthy goals geared towards meeting this end.
I can personally testify to what the Young Men Program can do to help guide the male youth into worthy men. I have a father, two brothers, and a husband who are remarkable living testimonies to this end.
