Latter-day Saint Leaders Announce Age Changes For Youth Progression, Temple Attendance
Dec 14, 2018, 9:50 AM
Photo by George Frey/Getty Images
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Friday announced it is changing the ages at which young men can be ordained and when youth can enter the faith’s religious temples.
The update came in a letter from the Church’s First Presidency, stating that children will complete Primary and begin attending Sunday School and Young Men and Young Women as age groups. The children currently progress as individuals when they turn 12.
The change will also impact when young men can be ordained with the priesthood. According to the letter, they will be eligible to receive the appropriate priesthood in January of the years they turn 12, 14 and 16.
“Young women and ordained young men will be eligible for limited-use temple recommends beginning in January of the year they turn 12,” according to the letter. “Ordination to a priesthood office for young men and obtaining a limited-use temple recommend for young women and young men will continue to be individual matters, based on worthiness, readiness, and personal circumstances.”
The changes will begin in January 2019.
