Updated Duty to God site
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
It's been almost two years since the revised Duty to God program for Aaronic Priesthood was implemented across the globe. Since then, tens of thousands of young men and their families and quorum leaders have learned how to know and fulfill their own personal duty to God by following the program's pattern of "Learn-Act-and Share."
An updated "Duty to God" website was recently made available to help supplement the program for deacons, teachers and priests, along with their parents and leaders. The site is also invaluable to young men who have received the priesthood since the program's initial implementation — and to recently called adult leaders and advisers — who are eager to make the most of this essential program in the quorums they serve.
The updated site is easy to find. Simply log on to www.lds.org. Find and click "Youth" in the general Menu section, then click on "Duty to God" in the Youth Menu.
"We are excited about the updated Duty to God online resource," said Brother David L. Beck, who presides over the Young Men general presidency. "The website helps young men learn their priesthood duties and make plans to fulfill them."
The site is the perfect place to start for young men, parents and youth leaders who are new to the "Duty to God" program. The home page features a pair of online videos (one for young men, parents and leaders and the second, for quorum presidencies) that help explain the program and instructions on how to get started. The videos also serve as a refresher course for individuals seeking a bit of motivation to better implement "Duty to God" in their own lives and quorums.
The site also provides online access to Church materials referenced in "Duty to God," including the scriptures, the recently revised "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet, "True to the Faith" and "Preach My Gospel."
The updated site is designed to be friendly, interactive and personal. Like the "Duty to God" program, the website allows deacons, teachers and priests to learn about and follow the program according to their respective priesthood offices. In the deacon section, for example, visitors will find subsections of "Spiritual Strength," "Priesthood Duties," and "For the Strength of Youth." Each subsection offers opportunities and suggestions on following the program's familiar "Learn-Act-and-Share" pattern.
Throughout the site, young men can record and save their own plans and experiences via a confidential online journal. It's easy to access the online journal section. Visitors will be prompted to enter their own membership record number to gain access to the personalized journal sites. Visitors who don't know their membership record number can ask their ward or branch clerk or priesthood leader for an "Individual Ordinance Summary" printed from Church records that will include the number.
The online journal allows young men to truly make the updated "Duty to God" online resource their own. They can record personal thoughts about, say, setting a good example to fellow priesthood holders or, perhaps, how to make the sacrament a more meaningful experience for the members of the congregation.
The updated web site also is rich with supplemental information, including a message to the young men of the Church from the First Presidency, a downloadable PDF of the Duty to God booklet and other valuable items.
"Links to other videos and articles relating to 'Duty to God' appear along the bottom of the home page," added Brother Beck. "Through these videos, young men can learn from the example of others who are making a difference in their homes and in the world."
Brother Beck and his fellow youth leaders hope Aaronic Priesthood holders will utilize and enjoy the updated "Duty to God" website on a frequent basis.
"I am confident that as they do, they will grow in the strength of the Lord and as they remain faithful, they will become what the Lord intends them to be."
jswensen@desnews.co
