The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is shifting the pedagogical approach of its youth programs, moving away from traditional lecture-style instruction toward a model centered on open dialogue and personal inquiry. Starting in September, the structure of youth class meetings will be redesigned to fit into shorter, 25-minute windows, emphasizing conversational learning over formal lessons.
This transition is designed to create a “safe place” for young women and young men to request real questions and engage in authentic discussions. According to Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman, the new format is intended to replicate the atmosphere of morning discussions found at FSY (For the Strength of Youth) camps, where the focus is on shared experience rather than a top-down delivery of information.
Central to this change is the updated “For the Strength of Youth” guide. The curriculum will now be organized around the 12 chapters of this guide, with each month dedicated to a specific chapter’s themes. While scriptural study through the “Arrive, Follow Me” program will continue at home, in seminary, and during Sunday School, these specific youth class meetings will focus exclusively on the doctrine outlined in the new guide.
A Monthly Cycle of Doctrine and Identity
The new structure divides the month into three distinct types of meetings, each with a different objective. The first Sunday of each month focuses on “eternal truths.” Sister Andrea Muñoz Spannaus, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, explained that these sessions begin with a specific truth from the monthly chapter. Leaders will share a corresponding scripture and a personal spiritual experience, concluding with a testimony of that truth.
The second and third Sundays shift toward the application of principles. These meetings are designed as discussions driven by questions provided in a new accompanying magazine, available in both print and digital formats. To support leaders in navigating these conversations, the Church is pointing toward the “Gospel Topics” tab within the Gospel Library app as a primary resource for preparation.
The final Sunday of the month is dedicated to a young woman’s identity, and purpose. President Freeman described this as a time to study what it means to live as a “covenant daughter of God.” These sessions involve reciting the first line of the Young Women theme, reading a monthly statement, and studying the life of a woman in the scriptures who exemplifies the principle being discussed.
| Meeting Timing | Primary Focus | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|
| First Sunday | Eternal Truths | Scripture, personal experience, and testimony. |
| Second & Third Sundays | Principles & Doctrine | Question-based discussion using new magazine resources. |
| Fourth Sunday | Identity & Purpose | Study of “covenant daughters” and scriptural female examples. |
Streamlining the Sunday Experience
To maximize the limited 25-minute window, the Church is removing several traditional elements from the Sunday meeting. Opening exercises have been disbanded. Instead, meetings will begin with an opening prayer and a transition to the scriptures within the first five minutes.
the Young Women theme will no longer be recited during Sunday meetings. The presidency noted that the theme remains a vital part of the program but will now be reserved for weekly activities, youth camps, conferences, and FSY events. This shift is part of a broader effort to ensure that the time spent in the classroom is dedicated almost entirely to doctrine-based conversation.
Sister Tamara W. Runia, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, emphasized that “teaching the doctrine” can take many forms. She recalled a discussion with President Dallin H. Oaks during the curriculum approval process, noting that starting a lesson by simply saying “I love you” is, in itself, an act of teaching doctrine.
Flexibility and Preparation
Recognizing the variability of the calendar, the general presidency provided guidelines for months with only three Sundays (such as April, due to general conference). In these instances, the second- and third-Sunday lessons may be combined, though the presidency emphasized that the first- and last-Sunday lessons are essential and should always take place.
The leadership also noted that the role of the “teacher” is becoming more fluid. Discussions may be led by an adult, a combination of an adult and a youth, or by a young woman alone, depending on the preference of the class. This flexibility is key to the goal of making the meetings feel less like a classroom and more like a community conversation.
As a bridge to the September implementation, the Church has announced a summer “read-a-thon” focused on the new “For the Strength of Youth” pamphlet. This initiative is designed to familiarize youth with the material before it becomes the core of their Sunday discussions.
The specific plan for the summer read-a-thon is expected to be released in the coming weeks via the Gospel Library app under the “Gospel Study Plans” section.
Do you have thoughts on the shift toward conversational learning in youth programs? Share your perspective in the comments or share this article with others affected by the upcoming schedule changes.
