In a letter to leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United States and Canada, President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, encouraged leaders to look for ways to reconnect with youth in 2021 through local ward or stake youth conferences and Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood camps. The For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences (gatherings of teenagers from dozens of congregations) are postponed in the United States and Canada until 2022.
Congregational leaders should hold youth conferences and camps on a smaller (and, if need be, virtual) scale in 2021.
“Where permitted by local health and safety guidelines and when directions from Area Presidencies allow, these activities should be held in person,” President Ballard says. “Where group gatherings are not permitted, virtual alternatives should be used. As youth and their leaders seek His guidance, Heavenly Father will bless them with vision and creativity to help His sons and daughters grow.”
The Complete Letter from President Ballard Is Below
To: General Authorities, General Officers, and the following leaders in the United States and Canada: Area Seventies; Stake, Mission, and District Presidencies; Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies; Stake and Ward Young Women Presidencies; Stake Young Men Presidencies; Young Men Advisers; Youth Class and Quorum Presidencies
Youth Activities and FSY Conferences in 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
We are eager for renewed opportunities for youth to gather and participate in fun and meaningful activities, reconnecting with each other and with their leaders.
As outlined in the General Handbook, stake or ward youth conferences should be held annually except in years the stake is participating in a For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conference. Likewise, Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood camps should be held each year. For 2021, we strongly suggest that stake and ward leaders—including youth class and quorum presidencies—plan and hold youth conference and Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood camps.
Where permitted by local health and safety guidelines and when directions from Area Presidencies allow, these activities should be held in person. Where group gatherings are not permitted, virtual alternatives should be used. As youth and their leaders seek His guidance, Heavenly Father will bless them with vision and creativity to help His sons and daughters grow.
To support stake and ward efforts to help youth and leaders reconnect, FSY conferences planned for the United States and Canada in 2021 will be postponed until 2022. An updated schedule for FSY conferences in the United States and Canada for 2022–24 will be provided soon.
We are grateful for the faithful attention leaders and members are giving to local health and safety guidelines and direction from Area Presidencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to follow that guidance as you plan safe and meaningful youth activities.
Sincerely yours,
M. Russell Ballard
Acting President