Why has the Church developed a new Duty to God program?

For young men, fulfilling their duty to God is a lifelong experience—one that is more about becoming worthy fathers and priesthood holders than being recognized for specific activities they have accomplished. To that end, the new Duty to God program focuses on helping young men strengthen their testimonies and their relationship with God, learn and fulfill their priesthood duties, and live the standards from For the Strength of Youth.

Many young men, parents, and leaders have worked diligently on the previous Duty to God program, and we are grateful for these efforts. Information to help you make the transition to the new program is provided below.

How will the new Duty to God program benefit young men?

Young men will:

• Strengthen their testimonies and their relationship with God.
• Learn their priesthood duties and make plans to fulfill them (see D&C 107:99). These plans can be designed to fit their individual needs and circumstances.
• Take responsibility for their own growth.
• Have many opportunities to share gospel truths and spiritual experiences, increasing their confidence and ability to share the gospel with others.
• Strengthen relationships with parents, leaders, and quorum members.

How will the new Duty to God program benefit parents and leaders?

The new program:

• Provides opportunities for parents and leaders to strengthen relationships with young men.
• Can easily be integrated into family home evening and quorum meetings and activities.

When will the materials be available?

Materials will be mailed to wards and branches in 27 languages between June and August 2010. Materials in other languages will be mailed later in the year.

The new program includes one book for all young men, rather than separate books for deacons, teachers, and priests as in the previous program.

When should young men begin using the new materials?

Stakes and wards will be invited to hold a training meeting on the new program shortly after the materials arrive. Young men should begin using the new program after this training meeting.

Should young men continue to participate in the existing Duty to God program while they wait for the new materials?

Young men are encouraged to continue with the existing program until the new books arrive and the program is implemented in their ward or branch.

What should a young man do if he is close to earning a certificate or the medallion in the previous Duty to God program?

Young men should begin using the new Duty to God program as soon as it is implemented in their ward or branch. During the transition to the new program, the certificates and medallion from the previous program will still be available for young men who want to earn them.

For example, a priest who is close to completing the previous program may choose to complete those requirements and receive the medallion in addition to working in the new Duty to God book.

If a deacon or teacher is close to earning one of the certicates, he may choose to complete those requirements in addition to working in the new Duty to God book.

Will teachers and priests who have been working on the previous program need to start over with the new program?

Young men will begin working in the section of the book that corresponds to their current priesthood office. For example, a teacher will begin with the section for teachers.

How does the Duty to God program relate to Sunday quorum meetings, Mutual, and Scouting?

Quorum advisers will be encouraged to use the Duty to God book, along with existing curriculum, in their Sunday quorum meetings.

Quorum presidencies will be encouraged to plan Mutual activities that will help young men fulfill their plans in the new Duty to God program.

The new program does not to overlap or compete with Scouting, but it does include some activities relating to physical, educational, and social development.

What recognition will young men receive as they progress in the new program?

Because the purpose of the new program is to help young men build spiritual strength and learn and fulfill their priesthood duties, the principal recognition they receive will be when they are presented in their wards or branches to advance in the priesthood.

The new program will also include certificates to recognize young men who carry out their plans for each priesthood office, with additional recognition for priests (which will be described in the new Duty to God book).

How can parents and quorum advisers help young men succeed in the new program?

The new book includes a section with general principles and specific ideas for parents and advisers. To learn about their role in the new program, parents and advisers will also be invited to a training meeting in their wards and branches when the program is implemented.

What additional resources will be available online?

The following resources will be available at DutytoGod.lds.org:

• An online version of the Duty to God book. In selected languages, this will be an interactive version where young men can record what they are learning, make their plans, see examples, and share their experiences.
• Training resources, including implementation instructions, training videos, and examples of how to implement the program.