LDS Church shifts youth growth model to one monthly goal starting 2027

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on November 3 that it will refine its Children and Youth program beginning in January 2027. The update restructures the curriculum around three specific pillars: believing in Christ, belonging to the church, and becoming more like Christ. These pillars replace the previous framework based on four areas of growth defined in Luke 2:52.

Under the new guidelines, children will set one goal each month, while youth will act on one specific invitation each month. The church aims to center these monthly actions on gospel learning, service, and personal development. Year-end gatherings will serve to celebrate the progress made by children and youth during the year.

Primary children will begin using a new lesson on fast Sundays starting in January 2027. These lessons appear in the appendix of the “Come, Follow Me” manual, titled “For Primary, Fast-Sunday Lessons.” The material focuses on gospel principles and methods for following Jesus Christ. Children who are eight years old and older are encouraged to set a monthly goal based on the fast Sunday lesson. Families may record these goals in a journal or another format. The Parent and Leader Guide lists each month’s topic, while the Friend magazine includes related activities.

Baptized and confirmed children, known as Valiants, will help plan Primary activities and an annual service activity. Leaders will encourage children to design activities that support the monthly lesson. At the end of the year, Valiant-age children will participate in a new event called Celebration of Growth. During this event, children will share what they have learned with their leaders and parents.

Youth will continue the curriculum launched in September, which is based on the “For the Strength of Youth” guide. On fast Sundays, youth will study the month’s chapter and accept one invitation to act on for the month. The second and third Sundays will involve deeper study using supplemental materials from the youth magazine. Fourth Sundays will focus on the month’s becoming statement found in the Youth Tool Kit.

The Youth Tool Kit is available at youth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org or in the Gospel Library app. Physical copies will be included in the January 2027 issue of For the Strength of Youth magazine. Resources for children are available at children.ChurchofJesusChrist.org or in the Gospel Library app, and will appear in the January 2027 Friend magazine. Current guidebooks will stop being used once the updates begin.

During Sunday meetings, young men will learn about their roles as deacon, teacher, priest, and elder. Young women will learn about serving as a Builder of Faith, Messenger of Hope, Gatherer of Light, and member of Relief Society. Priests and Gatherers of Light will take on additional responsibilities, including teaching younger members and planning a year-end event called Celebration of Lifelong Discipleship.

Parents are advised to ask their youth about their monthly invitations and help children choose monthly goals. Bishops will meet with youth to discuss their efforts in accepting invitations and learning gospel principles. Primary teachers will lead fast Sunday lessons and support goal setting. The Primary presidency will plan the Celebration of Growth event, along with preparation meetings for baptism, confirmation, temple, and priesthood.

The Church’s social media accounts for Primary, Young Men, and Young Women will post additional information in the coming weeks. The Church News website will provide further details at TheChurchNews.com/children and TheChurchNews.com/youth. Three podcast episodes featuring the general presidencies of these organizations were published on November 3 to explain the refinements for each group.