In Saturday’s afternoon session of the church’s 189th Semiannual General Conference, church leaders announced that Young Men presidencies (adult men who lead the groups) will no longer be formal positions in local wards. Instead, the church says, the bishop of each congregation will take a more direct role and responsibility in working with the boys.
Congregations will also have “Aaronic Priesthood quorum advisers and specialists” to assist the bishops.
Another consequence of this move, along with the added workload for Bishops, is that it creates more opportunity for predatory Bishops to access potential victims.
Young Men presidencies (adult males who lead young men) at the ward level are now discontinued so local bishops can more directly lead and mentor youth. Elder Cook said this practice aligns with a scripture on Church government given to Joseph Smith in 1835: “The bishopric is the presidency of this [Aaronic] priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the same.” This means, Elder Cook said, that a congregation’s young men and young women should be a bishop’s highest priority.
“These adjustments will help bishops and their counselors focus on their core responsibilities to the youth and Primary children,” Elder Cook said. “[The adjustments will also] place the power and duties of the Aaronic Priesthood at the center of every young man’s personal life and goals.”
In their responsibilities with youth, bishoprics will be assisted by adult men serving as Aaronic Priesthood quorum advisers and specialists and Young Women leaders.
“Young Women presidents will now report to and counsel directly with the bishop of the ward,” he said. “In the past, this assignment could be delegated to a counselor, but going forward, young women will be a direct responsibility of the one who holds presiding keys for the ward.”
“When we are confronted with evidence that challenges our deeply held beliefs we are more likely to reframe the evidence than we are to alter our beliefs. We simply invent new reasons, new justifications, new explanations. Sometimes we ignore the evidence altogether.” (Mathew Syed 'Black Box Thinking')
I think we need to look at the problem of child predators having access to children from a birds-eye view. It is true that a Mormon bishop could potentially be a child predator, but this could be true of any man, or any woman to be frank. The solution becomes simple when you give the problem any serious thought: we need to let our children be raised by packs of wild wolves. I’m not aware of a single documented case of a wolf sexually abusing a child, and I don’t even need to list the benefits of feral children roaming our streets, so I won’t.
Finn the human wrote:I think we need to look at the problem of child predators having access to children from a birds-eye view. It is true that a Mormon bishop could potentially be a child predator, but this could be true of any man, or any woman to be frank. The solution becomes simple when you give the problem any serious thought: we need to let our children be raised by packs of wild wolves. I’m not aware of a single documented case of a wolf sexually abusing a child, and I don’t even need to list the benefits of feral children roaming our streets, so I won’t.
Or...the Church could adopt the following simple principle...
“The No. 1 rule of any institution that works with children is never, ever, ever is there one-on-one child-adult interactions,” Sandusky declared. That statement was met by loud cheers from the crowd.
“And again, that’s a very simple concept ... we should all be able to get behind. It protects the institution as much as it protects the child.”
“When we are confronted with evidence that challenges our deeply held beliefs we are more likely to reframe the evidence than we are to alter our beliefs. We simply invent new reasons, new justifications, new explanations. Sometimes we ignore the evidence altogether.” (Mathew Syed 'Black Box Thinking')
And don't forget the bigger issue, lack of members to be in the YM and YW leaderships. Removing positions also serves to ensure operation of the system.
More work, less family time, no pay BUT! rewarded with nice little boy and girls to "mentor" if you know what I mean.
Revelation 2:17 . . give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Thank Google GOD for her son eBay, you can now have life eternal with laser engraving. . oh, and a seer stone and save 10% of your life's earning as a bonus. See you in Mormon man god Heaven Bitches!!. Bring on the Virgins
Is it possible the lds church may be moving toward a paid ministry? As in, bishops go back to getting a cut of tithing sent to salt lake, or a part time salary, or something?
This move seems towards stricter role models. YM presidencies have seemed to be more human, less rigid than bishops. This has meant a more relaxed approach with teen boys than what bishops becoming more involved will likely be. It seems that the Brass doesn't want as loose, fun an approach with the teen boys as there has been in the past. This move at this time signals that the bleeding during late teen years has not been abated by moves such as lowering the mission eligibility ages.
"There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge." Isaac Asimov
Holy Ghost wrote:This move seems towards stricter role models. YM presidencies have seemed to be more human, less rigid than bishops. This has meant a more relaxed approach with teen boys than what bishops becoming more involved will likely be. It seems that the Brass doesn't want as loose, fun an approach with the teen boys as there has been in the past. This move at this time signals that the bleeding during late teen years has not been abated by moves such as lowering the mission eligibility ages.
Interesting point, regarding stricter control. Another point I saw online was that the new structure was possibly more focused on parental involvement of activities though the individualized goal setting.
Not having been a bishop, but only the child of a bishop for my entire youth and teenage years, i’m wondering how much more time a bishop could possibly spend on his volunteer job.