Rising Generation

In April 2006 general conference, Elder Ronald A. Rasband spoke about “Our Rising Generation,” a name, he noted, that is used in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 26:1.

His talk is not the first time the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has focused on the youth of the Church. Elder Rasband said, in part, “Now is the time . . . when in every action we take, in every place we go, with every Latter-day Saint young person we meet, we need to have an increased awareness of the need for strengthening, nurturing, and being an influence for good in their lives.”[1]

The call to spiritually prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ intensified as President Russell M. Nelson began his administration. Strengthening the youth was one his early focuses.

Within a few months of being sustained as President of the Church of Jesus Christ in 2018, President Russell M. Nelson held a worldwide devotional for youth. The youth had been asked to prepare for attending, either in person or virtually, by reading the Book of Mormon and praying to hear what the Lord was eager to teach them.

In his opening address, he said, “I promise you that if you will sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you will have all the direction you will ever need in your life.” He then spoke to the youth about “the most important thing taking place on earth today”—the gathering of Israel.

Invitations from the Prophet

Here are some of the insights and invitations he shared during his address:

My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this precise time—the most crucial time in the history of the world—to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing. This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth. So my question to you is "Are you willing to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel?" . . .

”If the prophet invited every 12- to 18-year-old person in the Church to help enlist to gather Israel, what would you be willing to do?" . . .

Right now I am preparing for the day when I will be required to give an accounting to the Prophet Joseph Smith, to President Brigham Young, and the others—and ultimately to the Lord—about my stewardship as God's prophet upon the earth today. I do not want to be asked, "Brother Nelson, why were you not more clear with the youth about their part in gathering Israel? Why were you not more bold in enlisting them to participate?" So now I am inviting every young woman and every young man between the ages of 12 and 18 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel.[2]

President Nelson invited the youth to do five things that would change them and help them change the world.

1. Hold a seven-day fast from social media.

2. Make a weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord for three weeks.

3. Keep on the covenant path. If you are off, repent and get back on the path.

4. Pray daily that all of God's children might receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. Stand out. Be different. Be a light. Give to a friend one copy of the booklet "For the Strength of Youth."

Strengthening the Rising Generation

In addition to the general leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ changing programs to strengthen to youth, leaders of wards and stakes are following President Nelson by focusing on strengthening the rising generation’s faith in Jesus Christ by holding special firesides or other gatherings, addressing the topic in stake conference and sacrament meeting talks, and implementing the programs of the Church, which includes inviting youth to participate in temple and family history work and ministering. A bishop's foremost responsibility is to help the rising generation come unto Christ.[3]

For the Strength of Youth Conferences (FSY)

For the Strength of Youth conferences are held throughout the world to be a strength to the youth who attend (ages 14 to 18) and to the young single adults who serve as counselors. They are five-day events that include activities, devotionals, and classes that are designed to help strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and provide opportunities for youth to grow spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually.

FSY conferences are typically held at college or university campuses. However, at the end of June 2023, the Church announced the first FSY facility in Asia. It was unveiled on June 7, 2023, on a 24-acre property in Tanay, Rizal, Philippines, about 65 kilometers east of Manila. The facility will welcome up to 7,200 youth and leaders annually, with around 600 participants weekly. During his opening message, Area Seventy Elder Tomas Merdegia Jr. said, "This is a testament to the dedication, love and support of our leaders to our youth as they develop spiritually, socially, intellectually and physically. As our youth deepen in their conversion, they become more prepared to enter the temple worthily and make covenants. It readies them for missionary work and grooms them to embrace their future roles as responsible spouses, caring parents, and upstanding citizens of the nation.”[4]

Elder Steven R. Bangerter, the Philippines Area President, shared an exciting announcement. He unveiled the Church's plan to create more FSY Facilities. He proclaimed, "Our vision extends beyond this inaugural facility. Though it is the first in Asia, it certainly won't be the last. As we stand here today, our eyes are already set on the horizon, scouting locations for our next facilities in Mindanao, Cebu, and Northern Luzon. We aim to continue this mission to nurture, develop, and enrich the lives of thousands more, including both members and non-members of the Church.”[5]

Children and Youth Program

The mission of the Children and Youth program is to “Strengthen the rising generation’s faith in Jesus Christ, and help children, youth, and their families progress along the covenant path as they meet life’s challenges.”[6] It was introduced in 2021 for implementation in January 2022. It replaced activity and achievement programs such as Scouting, Duty to God, Personal Progress, and Faith in God.

It is not a series of checklists. It’s not a line-item of requirements. Rather, the worldwide program offers daily opportunities for young people to prayerfully discover their own path of discipleship.

“It starts with revelation,” said Young Men General Steven J. Lund. “The Children and Youth program allows young people and parents and quorum and class leaders to seek the powers of heaven in guiding them on what they should do week-to-week.”

“Gone are the days when adults plan activities to entertain the youth,” Young Women General Counselor Michelle D. Craig said. “We’re living in a different time, and our youth need to be prepared differently.”

This program is centered in the home and supported at church. Families determine how best to study the gospel, serve others, and grow like the Savior. At church, leaders provide opportunities for children and youth to learn, serve, and lead.

More information and materials for participation are available on the Church’s website.

Camps and Youth Conferences

Each summer, young women and young men, primarily in North America, have the opportunity of participating in Church-sponsored young women’s camps or Aaronic Priesthood quorum camps.

Under priesthood leadership, Church recreation camps provide a dedicated outdoor setting for Church activities. The primary purpose of these camps is to help young women feel the Spirit and enjoy safe, wholesome recreation.

The Young Women Camp Guide states, “Young women need a place where they can gather together, separate from worldly influences, feel the Spirit of the Lord, grow in unity and love, and strengthen their faith and testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”[7]

The Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Camp Guide says, “Young men need places where they can gather away from worldly influences, build lasting gospel-centered relationships, and strengthen their faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.”[8]

Additionally, the Church owns recreation properties for the express purpose of strengthening youth and families. One such property is the Heber Valley Camp, which features eight campgrounds. Brigham Young University’s Aspen Grove, located near Mount Timpanogos in Utah, is used for family camps, conferences, and youth conferences.[9]

Often stakes and wards hold youth conferences in local recreational areas. Some of those focus on visiting part of the Mormon Trail that the pioneers traveled toward the Salt Lake Valley, although Martin's Cove and Sixth Crossing are for personal use, not trek groups. The Wyoming Mormon Trail Sites include three separate campgrounds in Central Wyoming. Ranch 66 is located near Martin’s Cove. River Camp is near Sixth Crossing, where the Willie handcart company was rescued in 1856. Rock Creek Hollow is 11 miles off of Highway 28, southeast from South Pass City.

All three locations lie along the National Historic Trail, which includes the Oregon, California, Mormon, and Pony Express Trails. These locations have special meaning to Latter-day Saints because of the events related to rescue efforts in 1856.

Some youth groups reenact the trek in other parts of the United States or Canada.