Adjustments to Strengthen Youth

Understanding the Need for Changes

Elder Cook explains the need for adjustments in the Church organization to help the youth navigate the challenges of the modern world. He highlights the dual nature of modern technology, which can provide both uplifting and harmful content, and emphasizes the importance of guiding the youth in making wise choices.

Our youth live in an exciting but also challenging time. The choices available have never been more dramatic.

The modern smartphone provides access to incredibly important and uplifting information, including family history and the holy scriptures. On the other hand, it contains foolishness, immorality, and evil not readily available in the past.

• Why is there a need for adjustments in the Church organization?
• How does modern technology present both opportunities and challenges for the youth?
• How can you help the youth in your life navigate the challenges of the modern world?
• How can you use technology to uplift and strengthen your faith and the faith of those around you?

Exploring the Organizational Changes

Elder Cook announces organizational changes aimed at strengthening Aaronic Priesthood holders, quorums, and quorum presidencies. These include discontinuing Young Men presidencies at the ward level and giving greater emphasis to the priesthood responsibilities of young men. He also discusses changes in reporting lines and responsibilities for Young Women leaders.

Today we announce organizational changes for youth at ward and stake levels.

One purpose for the changes I will now discuss is to strengthen Aaronic Priesthood holders, quorums, and quorum presidencies.

It is our hope that bishoprics will give great emphasis and focus to the priesthood responsibilities of young men and help them in their quorum duties.

• What are the key organizational changes announced by Elder Cook?
• How are these changes expected to strengthen Aaronic Priesthood holders, quorums, and quorum presidencies?
• How can these changes help you in your role as a youth leader or parent?
• How can you support the youth in your ward or family as they take on more individual responsibility?

Recognizing the Role of Bishops

Elder Cook discusses the role of bishops in counseling with the youth and their families. He emphasizes the bishop's responsibility for everyone in the ward and shares a story illustrating the bishop's role in helping a young man and his family overcome the challenge of pornography.

In the Lord’s inspired pattern, the bishop has responsibility for everyone in the ward. He blesses the parents of youth as well as the youth.

One bishop found that as he counseled with a young man struggling with pornography, he could help the young man in his repentance only as he helped the parents react with love and understanding.

• What is the role of the bishop in counseling with the youth and their families?
• How does the bishop's responsibility extend to the parents of the youth?
• How can you support your bishop in his role as a counselor to the youth and their families?
• How can you foster a supportive and understanding environment in your family and ward for those struggling with challenges?

Understanding the Interlocking Pattern

Elder Cook explains that the adjustments are part of an interlocking pattern designed to bless the Saints and prepare them to meet God. He emphasizes that these changes, along with previous ones, aim to bless and strengthen every member of the Church and help them follow the example of Jesus Christ.

Each of the adjustments is an integral part of an interlocking pattern to bless the Saints and prepare them to meet God.

These adjustments, when combined and integrated with previous adjustments, represent a spiritual and organizational effort consistent with doctrine to bless and strengthen every man, woman, youth, and child, helping each to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as we progress on the covenant path.

• What is the interlocking pattern that Elder Cook refers to?
• How do the adjustments fit into this pattern?
• How have the adjustments announced by the Church affected your personal spiritual journey?
• How can you use these changes to better follow the example of Jesus Christ?

Emphasizing the Importance of the Changes

Elder Cook underscores the importance of the changes, promising that they will empower and strengthen every member of the Church. He assures that the youth will develop greater faith in the Savior, be protected from the temptations of the adversary, and be prepared to meet life’s challenges.

I promise and testify that these comprehensive adjustments, under the direction of an inspired president and prophet, Russell M. Nelson, will empower and strengthen every member of the Church.

Our youth will develop greater faith in the Savior, be protected from the temptations of the adversary, and stand prepared to meet life’s challenges.

• What are the promised outcomes of these organizational changes?
• How are these changes expected to empower and strengthen every member of the Church?
• How can you help the youth in your ward or family to develop greater faith in the Savior?
• What steps can you take to protect yourself and others from the temptations of the adversary?