Duty To God and Scouting

1. Duty To God and Scouting Saturday October 17, 2009

2. Objectives of this class: 1. Understand the role of the Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God achievement award. 2. Demonstrate how Duty to God program and Scouting can increase the opportunities for young men to develop a “spiritual identity.” 3. Consider the balance between program and the needs of the young men. 4. Provide tools/ideas/discussion to assist Bishops and Young Men leaders that will help the young men fulfill the requirements of Duty to God.

3. Purpose of the Aaronic Priesthood • Become converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live by its teachings. • Magnify priesthood callings and fulfill the responsibilities of his priesthood office. • Give meaningful service. • Prepare to receive the Melchizedeck Priesthood and temple ordinances. • Commit to, prepare for and serve an honorable mission. • Prepare to become a worthy husband and father.

4. Purpose of the Aaronic Priesthood

5. Helping young men develop their Spiritual Identity • In discussions with research and curriculum leaders at church headquarters: • Brethren talked in terms of “spiritual identity” • Definition of spiritual identity: • the ability to independently recognize the spiritual aspects of life, to apply a spiritual interpretation to one’s life and experiences. • Salt Lake focused on ensuring that YM programs help boys develop their own spiritual identity • Church research: well-run programs focus on three critical factors for spiritual identity:

6. Spiritual Identity • Are boys advancing in the Priesthood? • Active, attending meetings, participating in service and fulfilling priesthood responsibilities. • Are boys developing and demonstrating personal spiritual practices? • Scripture reading, personal prayer, meaningful service. • Are boys developing “mentor” relationships with their Priesthood leaders? • Unscripted spiritual conversations with leaders focused on the boys interests and timetables.

7. So why do we focus on Scouting and Duty to God Programs?

8. So why do we focus on Scouting and Duty to God Programs? If done right - Duty to God and Scouting create opportunitieswhere “spiritual identity” can be developed. Examples: • Reading the Book of Mormon, • Teaching FHE and Quorum, • Journal writing and Family History • Service projects, missionary work, • Meaningful activities with quorum members, • Challenged physically, • Having mentoring experiences with young men leaders

9. It’s all Priesthood Not just a combination of programs – but principles.

10. Purpose of the Duty to God Program

11. What First Presidency Said: • Young Men were: • “Called to make a difference in the world” • Provide service • Fulfill priesthood duties • Strengthen yourself • Responsibility to learn Heavenly Father’s will for you. • Preparation to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood

12. Guiding Principles It’s about the young men, not the program The most important people of influence are the bishop,parents, and mentors Duty to God should be integrated throughout the YM program and beyond Recognize progress

13. Duty to God

14. The Leader’s Dilemma

15. The Leader’s Focus

16. A “Program” Approach… • Has proven • Challenging • Frustrating • Less effective Possibly… because this approach is too “linear”

17. A Linear Approach

18. Duty to God and Scouting as the Central Focus

19. Duty to God as the Central Focus

20. Duty to God as theCentral Focus

21. Young Men’s Program as the Central Focus

22. Young Men’s Program as the Central Focus Gail #4

23. Young Men’s Program as the Central Focus

24. An Individual Young Man as the Central Focus

25. An Individual Young Man as the Central Focus

26. An Individual Young Man as the Central Focus

27. An Individual Young Man as the Central Focus

28. Helping boys achieve their “spiritual identity” • Seek revelation • Focus on the young man first • Let quorum leaders exercise their keys • Be flexible in your planning • Meet with and involve the parents • Action Plan for each YM based on his specific needs • Spend the time to create those testimony and mentoring opportunities

29. Involving Bishoprics YM President discuss Duty to God program during PPI with Bishop – how is it going? Bishop discuss Duty to God with each young man during yearly interview – councilors to do the same in half-yearly interview. Bishops take lead in recognition of DTG progress

30. Involving Parents • Visit family – young man and parents with quorum president and adviser to discuss Duty to God program • Invite parents to participate in activities and reviews • YM Secretary send progress reports to parents • Involve parents in recognition activities

31. Integrating Duty to God Presidency meetings – Young Men Leaders and Quorum Patrol Leaders Council (PLC) Bishops Youth Council (BYC) Aaronic Priesthood Committee (APC) Ward Council and Priesthood Executive Committee (PEC) Train home teachers/fathers in priesthood meetings and 5th Sunday discussions Bishop’s Sunday Evening Discussion (BSED)

32. Recognition Bishops take the lead Quarterly milestones – or some “regular recognition” Recognized in priesthood opening exercises (deacon and teacher) and sacrament meeting (final award) Special activity for meeting milestones Find a pattern that works for your ward Recognition reminds and motivates

33. Duty to God Tools/Resources lds.org – Gospel Library – resource Materials

34. Duty To God Tools and Resources

35. Duty to God Tools and ResourcesDutytoGod.com

36. Duty to God Discussion • What is working well in your quorum? • How do you involve parents and families? • How can you improve the Duty to God program in your quorum? • How do you recognize Duty to God progress? • How can we balance implementing the program with the needs of the young man? • Pick one thing to improve YM achieving “spiritual identity”