By Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist
“I get to think about all of the youth and how I can help them, so they can grow in all four areas (spiritual, social, physical and intellectual). In the council I get a chance to help be a part of that,” said Natalie Moulton, president of her 12-13 year old Young Women’s class in the Indian Springs congregation. The Lord’s way of leading His Church is through councils. Youth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints start participating in councils at the age of 12 to help meet the needs of their peers. Youth Councils are held monthly all over the world.
“I hope they learn to how to identify the needs of others and ways that they can minister to them.” Said Jayce Warner, 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric over the Deacons quorum (age 12-13 young men). “In Youth Council they “organize a plan to help those in need. I think that’s something that is a useful skill they can use throughout their life, especially in leadership positions within the Church.”
Sara Lange, president of the Young Women’s 14-15 year old class, speaking about the Youth Council said, “One of the older youth will lead the meeting and we will go around and we’ll talk about what we’re doing in our classes and quorums and what needs we have.”
Jack Lee, president of the Deacon’s quorum attended his first Youth Council. He said, “It helped me develop a sense of empathy for the situations. I know some people have a hard time getting a ride to activities, so feeling that empathy for them — has had a big impact on me.”
As a result of discussions in Youth Council, Lange said, “We have been offering rides, saying ‘we have this activity, do you need a ride?’ Or ‘do you need a ride on Sunday?’” It’s that initiative that Warner hopes the youth will learn. He said, “We hope that they are able to notice those that need help and then develop a plan to act and provide them with the help that is needed.”
It is just that initiative that led to a recent activity. Warner continued, “One of the Young Women knew about a sister in the ward who needed, and had asked for some help, with the fallen limbs on her property. She brought it up and asked the council what could be done to help her. From there we discussed how we could get the youth organized and to find out who else could use similar help.”
Lee was excited to help clear limbs, he said: “Doing the right thing gives me a good feeling.” He enjoyed planning the service activity. He said, “Some people couldn’t even get out of their driveways or access their garage because of the limbs that had been blocking their driveways. So we decided to get some yard tools and help clear that away. We’re trying to get as many helping hands as we can.” They were able to organize a lot of helping hands.
Leadership training and planning of activities is done in class and quorum presidency meetings. In Youth Councils deeper items are discussed such as the work of salvation and exaltation and how the ward, classes and quorums are meeting the needs of the youth. Efforts to reach out to youth who are less active or new members are also discussed.
Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Church’s Twelve Apostles, taught that “revelation is scattered among us” (Ensign, April 2011). Councils allow members to gather that revelation as they carry out the Lord’s work. “Everyone can share ideas” says Moulton “and we can think and talk about different people and how we can benefit all of them.”
