How a nineteenth-century youth group evolved into a global religious development program

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Young Men organization serves boys aged twelve to eighteen within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While it began as a nineteenth-century initiative to foster public speaking and testimony, its structure has shifted through decades of mergers, scouting partnerships, and administrative overhauls to reach its current form.

The roots of the organization trace back to March 1843 in Nauvoo, Illinois, where Joseph Smith advised youth to form the Young Gentlemen's and Young Ladies’ Relief Society. Decades later, in 1875, church president Brigham Young established the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA). The goal was to provide a male counterpart to the existing women's association, specifically encouraging young men to develop their personal gifts and articulate their faith. By 1876, a central committee led by Junius F. Wells was managing the group's missionary efforts and instructional materials.

The twentieth century brought significant structural volatility. In 1911, the church adopted the Boy Scouts of America model, eventually integrating fully in 1913. This partnership lasted until the end of 2019, when the church withdrew from all BSA programs. Internally, the organization underwent various renamings and consolidations, most notably in the 1970s. Between 1972 and 1974, the YMMIA merged with the women's auxiliary to form the Aaronic Priesthood MIA Young Women. This experiment was short-lived; by June 1974, the organizations were separated, and the Young Men group was placed under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric.

Today, the program is intrinsically linked to the Aaronic priesthood, which is divided into three age-based offices. Local congregations manage these groups, with leadership roles often filled by the young men themselves, such as quorum presidents who select their own counselors. Beyond Sunday instruction, the organization facilitates weekday activities, monthly combined events with the Young Women, and periodic regional conferences. As of 2020, the church transitioned to a new Children and Youth Program, marking the latest chapter in the organization's long history of adapting its methods to support the development of its youth members.

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