Can 17yo youth attend YSA activities/convention?
Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2019 8:57 pm
Hello
I was asked to see if church policy permits 17 year old youth to attend young single adult activities/convention. I've read through chapters 8, 10, 16, 21 of the online handbooks but could not find any guidance.
Is this permitted for 17 year olds? And if they are turning 18 this year, could 17 year olds start attending YSA activities from the start of the year (similarly to how youth are now advancing to the next class from the start of the calendar year, rather than from their birthday)?
Other policies suggest that it would be allowed. For example section 10.1.5:
"Eighteen-Year-Old Young Women
A young woman normally advances into Relief Society on her 18th birthday or in the coming year. By age 19, each young woman should be fully participating in Relief Society. Because of individual circumstances, such as personal testimony, maturity, school graduation, desire to continue with peers, and college attendance, a young woman may advance into Relief Society earlier than her 18th birthday or remain in Young Women longer. Each young woman counsels with her parents and the bishop to decide what will best help her remain an active participant in the Church.
Young Women and Relief Society leaders work together to make the transition into Relief Society successful for each young woman."
At the same time there is a suggestion that attendance of YSA activity is strictly based on age:. For example section 16:
"Single members are divided into two groups: single adults (ages 31 and older) and young single adults (ages 18–30)."
My personal opinion is that there doesn't seem to be any flexibility with this policy, which is needed considering not all 18 year olds feel comfortable leaving the youth program and some 17 year olds have lots of friends already attending YSA.
Grateful if anyone could please provide clearer policy advice.
Thank you!
Colin
I was asked to see if church policy permits 17 year old youth to attend young single adult activities/convention. I've read through chapters 8, 10, 16, 21 of the online handbooks but could not find any guidance.
Is this permitted for 17 year olds? And if they are turning 18 this year, could 17 year olds start attending YSA activities from the start of the year (similarly to how youth are now advancing to the next class from the start of the calendar year, rather than from their birthday)?
Other policies suggest that it would be allowed. For example section 10.1.5:
"Eighteen-Year-Old Young Women
A young woman normally advances into Relief Society on her 18th birthday or in the coming year. By age 19, each young woman should be fully participating in Relief Society. Because of individual circumstances, such as personal testimony, maturity, school graduation, desire to continue with peers, and college attendance, a young woman may advance into Relief Society earlier than her 18th birthday or remain in Young Women longer. Each young woman counsels with her parents and the bishop to decide what will best help her remain an active participant in the Church.
Young Women and Relief Society leaders work together to make the transition into Relief Society successful for each young woman."
At the same time there is a suggestion that attendance of YSA activity is strictly based on age:. For example section 16:
"Single members are divided into two groups: single adults (ages 31 and older) and young single adults (ages 18–30)."
My personal opinion is that there doesn't seem to be any flexibility with this policy, which is needed considering not all 18 year olds feel comfortable leaving the youth program and some 17 year olds have lots of friends already attending YSA.
Grateful if anyone could please provide clearer policy advice.
Thank you!
Colin