The First Presidency issued a letter dated February 23, 2006, to General Authorities; Area Seventies; stake, mission, and district presidents; and bishops and branch presidents regarding safeguarding children and youth.

The following is an excerpt from this letter that pertains only to English-speaking units of the Church. Please review the letter and policies in their entirety with your priesthood leader. Please do not distribute or post this letter.

ADDITIONAL POLICIES FOR PRIMARY CLASSES (INCLUDING NURSERIES), PRIMARY ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING SCOUTING), AND RELIEF SOCIETY NURSERIES

1. Where possible, classroom doors should have a window in them.
2. Where men are assigned to teach or work with children, at least two responsible individuals should be present at all times. The two individuals should include two men or a married couple.
3. In small branches or wards where it is not practical to have at least two teachers in a classroom, a member of the Primary presidency should be assigned to frequently visit and monitor classrooms where a man is teaching.

While it is important to protect children, we feel it is of great value to have worthy priesthood holders serve as teachers in the Primary. Worthy priesthood holders can bless children as mentors. They can provide positive role models for all children in the Primary, especially for those who do not have a male role model in their home.

The policy outlined in the First Presidency letter dated February 23, 2006, on "Safeguarding Children and Youth" includes a provision for worthy brethren to serve in the Primary, even in small branches and wards where it may not be possible to have two men or a man and his wife teach together.