Church announces age-range adjustments for young single adults

[JAHS]

Church announces age-range adjustments for young single adults

The age ranges for the young single adult and single adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been adjusted.

Effective immediately, “young single adult” (“YSA”) now refers to unmarried Latter-day Saints ages 18-35, with the term “single adult” (“SA”) now describing unmarried Church members ages 36 and older.

Where available, young single adult wards may include those ages 18 to 35, with single adult wards for those ages 36 to 45.

Until now, young single adults referred to unmarried members ages 18 to 30. Single adult referred to unmarried members ages 31 and older.

And in areas with many young single adults — particularly in YSA stakes — leaders may consider recommending adjustments in units, such as a ward for members ages 18 to 25 and a separate ward for those ages 26 to 35.

The age-adjustment announcement came in a July 18 letter from the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department to stake, district, temple and mission presidencies; bishoprics and branch presidencies; and stake and ward council members in the United States and Canada, with general authorities, general officers and Area Seventies copied on the correspondence.

The Priesthood and Family Department oversees curriculum (like “Come, Follow Me”), programs and training for Latter-day Saints and leaders.

The letter also noted that institute classes are now available for ages 18 to 35, with classes to be divided by ages 18-25 and ages 26-35, unless attendance numbers are too small to justify dividing classes.

The YSA age adjustments are not exclusive to the United States and Canada. Other areas will receive similar instruction. The age changes are to be included in coming weeks in chapters 14 and 37 of the “General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

The letter directs area presidencies to work with stake presidents to determine what is best for the single adults and young single adults in their areas and to propose changes in units, if needed. The leaders are to consider how their decisions might impact a single adult ward if a significant number of members ages 31 to 35 transition to a young single adult ward.

Young single adults are encouraged to attend institute, the letter says, “where they will find friends, feel a sense of belonging and experience Christ-centered teachings.”

[Calm]

7 hours ago, JAHS said:

nd in areas with many young single adults — particularly in YSA stakes — leaders may consider recommending adjustments in units, such as a ward for members ages 18 to 25 and a separate ward for those ages 26 to 35.

Smart

[JVW]

This is what I remarked to my wife when I saw this article.

hahaha, did I believe there were untouched aspects of the church? Yes. Could I think of any? No. Did President Nelson think of yet another one? Yes! I believe that president Nelson will stay alive until every aspect of the church has been changed (barring maybe the language used in the sacrament prayers and baptism ceremony).

[juliann]

Anyone who has attended single wards knows how many problematic men cluster there. I don't think putting 18 year olds with 35 year olds is an inspired idea. 

[Peacefully]

3 hours ago, juliann said:

Anyone who has attended single wards knows how many problematic men cluster there. I don't think putting 18 year olds with 35 year olds is an inspired idea. 

When I saw the topic I hoped they were narrowing the age range instead of widening it. I hope many leaders are inspired to split the groups as mentioned. 

[Calm]

45 minutes ago, Peacefully said:

When I saw the topic I hoped they were narrowing the age range instead of widening it. I hope many leaders are inspired to split the groups as mentioned. 

That is how I read it…the part that I quoted, I read as the SOP, not as just an option.

I have ordered new reading glasses, but still have a week before they get here.

They should do three divisions, 18-25; 26-35, 35-45 (50 maybe?).  If leadership is a problem, have a shared sacrament meeting for the two smaller groups and then have one group do SS etc before SM and the other after it.  The third group could have SS etc while the other two are in SM and then have SM.

What do they do for the 45+ singles?  I bet with couples being parents of teens or empty nesters by that age activities are more ‘natural’ fitting in singles since couples don’t have kids attached to them, but otherwise the needs still seem to be pretty much the same.

Edited July 20 by Calm

[Peacefully]

5 hours ago, Calm said:

That is how I read it…the part that I quoted, I read as the SOP, not as just an option.

I have ordered new reading glasses, but still have a week before they get here.

They should do three divisions, 18-25; 26-35, 35-45 (50 maybe?).  If leadership is a problem, have a shared sacrament meeting for the two smaller groups and then have one group do SS etc before SM and the other after it.  The third group could have SS etc while the other two are in SM and then have SM.

What do they do for the 45+ singles?  I bet with couples being parents of teens or empty nesters by that age activities are more ‘natural’ fitting in singles since couples don’t have kids attached to them, but otherwise the needs still seem to be pretty much the same.

I met my now husband at a Thanksgiving singles activity. I was 49 and he was 55. I went to singles activities for about four years before I met him. Dances, firesides, outdoor activities, etc. There was definitely a divide between the 30-45 and 45 and older. The younger group wanted more adventurous activities, although some of the older group went along at times. I went to a get together where we rode four wheelers and had a cookout in East Texas. That was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed my time with the singles but I made up my mind to go just for the friendships. I would go all over the metroplex to activities and I was the singles rep for my ward for awhile. We also had an online group and several of us met up in SLC. Not every stake has a thriving singles program so I had to be proactive to find my people and I also found my sweetheart in the end:) 

Edited July 21 by Peacefully

[MustardSeed]

I would NE VER encourage my 18 year old child to attend activities intended to marry off participants if 35 year olds were involved. 

[The Nehor]

On 7/20/2024 at 12:29 PM, juliann said:

Anyone who has attended single wards knows how many problematic men cluster there. I don't think putting 18 year olds with 35 year olds is an inspired idea. 

Yeah, there are obviously exceptions but this could get weird. Hell, it was already weird when I was in a YSA ward watching the guys in their late 20s hit on the 18-20 year old women. And it was creepy if you reverse the genders too.

My bishop actually asked me to stay when I turned 31 (he wanted me to keep teaching and running the Sunday School program) but it felt like it was time to leave.