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How to help YSA members repent of transgressions
Many of YSA members struggle with addictions and immorality, and often find it difficult to believe that they have been fully forgiven of their sins. Here are some thoughts on how to help our YSA members find healing through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Since most YSA disciplinary councils deal with moral issues of one form or another, you will also find principles for conducting loving disciplinary councils, including ideas for ways to help members repent, resources for dealing with addictions (including pornography), and general guidelines for bringing members into full fellowship.
Helping Individuals Recover From Pornography Use
A comprehensive set of resources designed by LDS ecclesiastical leaders, LDS therapists, and counselors. Includes discussions of how to 1) detect a member’s pornography involvement, 2) assess the scope and nature of the involvement, 3) assist them in developing a personal plan of action. 4) help them in following their personal plan of action, and 5) provide accountability and support after repentance. Includes references to related talks, quotes, and books.
Reversing their positions on sin
God and Satan have different positions on what sin is and how we can be forgiven. Unsurprisingly, their positions are opposite — but surprisingly, they seem to reverse at critical times.
Thoughts and recommendations regarding Young Single Adult Wards from a former Bishop
This piece contributes several insights about the challenges our young
single adults face, and some ideas for how to cope with them. The central principle is listening to and counseling with our young single adults in meaningful ways, and then giving them opportunities to build up the kingdom through service and leadership.
Helping others find hope and healing through the Addiction Recovery Program.
YSA bishops need to use all of the resources
of the Church to assist members who have addiction. One of the
best resources at their disposal is the Addiction Recovery Program,
which participants have often referred to as a "workshop on
the atonement." This piece discusses some principles about how a
bishop best use the ARP and help members find a safe haven to confess their sins,
discuss their problems, learn about the atonement and hear heartfelt
testimony of how it has helped others with similar problems.
Scoreboards, Homework and Miracles in a YSA Ward
During the tenure of one YSA bishopric, 17 people were baptized; over
80 less active members were fully activated; and 111 couples were
married - 108 of them in the temple. This piece discusses the
principles they emphasized: focusing on basic, daily spirituality;
keeping personal scoreboards; assigning homework to everyone they
counseled; holding Friday night activities; ensuring that everyone had
a meaningful calling; and emphasizing temple attendance.