Calling Youth to YM/YW Presidencies

I’m curious and was hoping to get some additional insight. We have several branches in our district that have called 16 year old YM or YW as their YM/YW presidents or counselors. The Handbook refers to “adult leaders” and how if there are not sufficient adult leaders, that youth may meet together. That, combined with my background with the church in the US where I’ve never seen it before, (and the fact that there are worthy adults without callings) makes it seem unusual. I’m more accustomed to Youth being called to Quorum or Class Presidencies. Has anyone else seen youth called to these positions? I am serving in the District Presidency and the way we have treated it is that if the branch president has issued the call, we trust that it is inspired. That said, I’m curious if anyone else knows of any other references to this matter in the Handbook or if you’ve ever seen it before.

I looked in the Handbook and didn't see the requirements for YM or YW president. Like you, I see parts that refer to "adult leaders", but it's not as direct as one would hope.

I'd be curious if these callings have been recorded in LCR. LCR is pretty strict about the rules - at least for standard positions. The developers do not make up the rules, but rather rely on the "business rules" handed down from the leadership.

Thanks for your feedback. Yeah, I wish the handbook was more specific. It seems to imply that the leaders should be adult - as does logic for the responsibilities assigned to these callings. They have to manage budgets, counsel with parents about the needs of young men/women (themselves?), and a number of other duties that seem more geared towards adult leaders. That said, I’m sure youth can do it. There are so many youth callings in class and quorum presidencies though and those have plenty of meaningful duties for them to fulfill.

I’m waiting to see if LCR accepts the callings - that’s another challenge we face over here. It takes a lot of reminding to get callings updated. Many changes in branch callings haven’t been updated despite being changed for a significant period of time. Not serving in the branch level, I can’t do or check much in LCR on that level. We do updates with the branches at least annually. It’s sometimes a challenge to try to preside and lead while still trusting them to do the same in their sphere. It’s a testament to the truth of the Gospel. The Church survives and grows despite being led by imperfect people (myself included).

This peaked my curiousity so I tested it. LCR just let me assign a priest and also a teacher as YM 1st counselor.
I did not try it for the YM President calling.
Dave Sudweeks, ward clerk

For YM, Chapter 8 repeatedly refers to the adults as "advisers" and the youth as "quorum leaders". In our ward, the objective is to have the youth make the decisions, lead the implementation, and own their own program. The adults then only serve the role of mentor or coach, and helping them figure out how to navigate difficulties. We also provide transportation, funding, and representation at Ward Council.

Calling youth to the roles meant for adult advisers seems backwards to me. Have quorum presidencies is the key. Having adult support, however thinly spread, may help put the control back with the quorum leaders (youth).

This coming from a ward with 1 deacon, 2 teachers, and 5 priests.

jaj78 wrote:For YM, Chapter 8 repeatedly refers to the adults as "advisers" and the youth as "quorum leaders". In our ward, the objective is to have the youth make the decisions, lead the implementation, and own their own program. The adults then only serve the role of mentor or coach, and helping them figure out how to navigate difficulties. We also provide transportation, funding, and representation at Ward Council.

Calling youth to the roles meant for adult advisers seems backwards to me. Have quorum presidencies is the key. Having adult support, however thinly spread, may help put the control back with the quorum leaders (youth).

This coming from a ward with 1 deacon, 2 teachers, and 5 priests.

In a fully-staffed ward, there's a difference between the class/quorum advisors, class/quorum presidencies, and young men/women presidencies. Class/quorum presidencies are always members of that class or quorum (i.e. youth). The other roles (class/quorum advisors and young men/women presidencies) aren't as specific in the Handbook, that I could find. It's the young men/women presidents who attend ward council, rather than the class/quorum advisors.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I also feel that it is backwards. I remember growing a lot as a youth by getting to serve in Quorum Presidencies with adult leaders supporting us. That said, LCR allows it and the Handbook doesn't forbid it, so we will trust the Branch Presidents on this one. I think I will try to train a little on better understanding the roles and responsibilities of these callings though as I worry that calling youth to those presidencies while not calling them to their own quorum/class presidencies is unlikely to provide the highest level of growth, development, and benefit to them.

I agree-- the notes in the handbook are not very explicit that the YM presidency (advisers) and assistant advisers are adults. It can be inferred, though, as their roles are to help the youth (presidencies and quorum members) learn and fulfill their duties.

Here are some references to support that perspective:

How the Adult Leaders help parents
8.2 "[Leaders] assist parents in helping their sons prepare for..."
"[Leaders] encourage communication between young men and their parents."

Differentiating the Youth Leaders from the Adult Leaders
8.3 "In this chapter, the term quorum leaders refers to the deacons quorum presidency, the teachers quorum presidency, and the bishop and his assistants in the priests quorum. The members of the Young Men presidency are quorum advisers, not quorum leaders."

How the Youth Leaders do the actual work of the quorum
8.3.2 [Includes a long list of how the quorum presidencies lead their quorum members]
"Aaronic Priesthood quorum leaders provide quorum members with opportunities for priesthood assignments, leadership experiences, and spiritual growth.
They hold regular quorum presidency meetings.
They conduct Sunday quorum meetings.
They help plan quorum activities, including Mutual.
They help quorum members set and accomplish goals in the Duty to God program.
On occasion, they may give gospel instruction in Sunday quorum meetings, with help from quorum advisers."

How the Adult Advisers help the youth
8.3.4 Includes a list of a variety of ways the Advisers guide Aaronic Priesthood quorums in fulfilling their priesthood duties.
8.7 Referencing mission preparation, "Adult leaders guide young men in setting goals to reach these expectations."
8.14 "Quorum advisers [the YM presidency, see 8.3.4 header] and assistant advisers teach leadership skills and qualities as they work with quorum presidencies..."

I hope this helps.

I’d be cautious worrying or complaining about who the Lord calls or that the Lord doesn’t call Youth to major leadership positions at any age. Moroni was called to lead the entire army at 25. The scriptures are full of accounts of young people being leaders. Even a few women prophetesses because of unworthy men to get the work done. How many times have you seen or heard of an 18-19 being called as a branch president or counselor? The Lord qualifies those he calls and calls through revelation whom He wants. Just thinking out loud.