Breaking News: Age-Groups for Youth Programs

Today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a change to youth programs based on age-groups.

Youth will now progress through Primary, Young Women, and Aaronic Priesthood Quorums in age-groups, instead of on their birthdays.

Youth will progress through Primary, Young Women, and Aaronic Priesthood Quorums in age-groups, instead of on their birthdays.

Young Women and ordained Young Men are also eligible for limited-use recommends in January of the year they turn 12. Young Men will be eligible for ordination to priesthood offices in January of the year they turn 12,14, and 16. A letter from the First Presidency is available to share in sacrament meetings, and an additional FAQs is also available.

Concerning this change, President Russell M. Nelson tweets that this “will help our young people to continue to realize their potential as disciples of Christ.”

This change will take effect in January of 2019.

A couple frequently asked questions are found below:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the schedule for age-group progression?

Children will typically complete Primary and begin attending Sunday School and the Beehive class or deacons quorum at the beginning of the year they turn 12. Young women will typically progress between Young Women classes and young men between Aaronic Priesthood quorums in January of the year they turn 14 and 16. This progression will take place as age-groups, not on the individual birthdays of children and youth.

Some children or youth may not move between organizations, classes, or quorums according to the typical schedule due to personal circumstances. The bishop and parents counsel together to decide what is in the best interest of each child or youth.

2. When are young men eligible to be ordained to an Aaronic Priesthood office? When are young women and young men eligible to obtain a limited-use temple recommend?

Young men will be eligible for ordination to the appropriate priesthood office in January of the year they turn 12, 14, and 16. Ordinations will typically take place throughout January. Young women and ordained young men will be eligible for a limited-use temple recommend beginning in January of the year they turn 12. However, being ordained to a priesthood office for young men and obtaining a limited-use temple recommend for young women and young men continue to be based on worthiness, readiness, and personal circumstances.

For more information, read the full article at Mormon Newsroom.