Beginning in January 2027, the Children and Youth program will be adjusted. The refinements are designed to provide clearer guidance, to strengthen connections between home and church, and to continue to support children and youth in their efforts to follow Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Church’s program for Children and Youth, first introduced in 2020, has been refined to help the rising generation become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. The first refinement was implemented in September 2026, and additional refinements are coming in January 2027.

In September 2026, two changes were implemented to gospel learning and activities:

• Youth began studying principles from the For the Strength of Youth guide in Sunday meetings.
• Curriculum support and youth activity ideas began appearing in each issue of the For the Strength of Youth magazine and the FSY Sunday Lessons section of Gospel Library.

Changes Coming in January 2027

The following four refinements are coming in January 2027:

1. Intended Outcomes

The purposes of the Children and Youth program are to help the rising generation:

• Believe in Jesus Christ (gospel learning)
• Belong to Jesus Christ and His Church (service and activities)
• Become more like Jesus Christ (personal development)

2. Adjustments to Goal Setting

• Children. Primary children will participate in new special fast-Sunday lessons about following Jesus Christ. (The schedule of lessons is also found at the end of the 2027 Come, Follow Me manual and listed in a chart in the January 2027 issue of the Friend magazine.) With guidance from their parents, children 8 and older will choose one simple goal each month based on what they learn in the fast-Sunday lesson.
• Youth. They will act on invitations from their fast-Sunday study of the FSY guide (or create their own goals based on that month’s topic).

These elements replace the program’s previous emphasis from Luke 2:52 on intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual goals for both children and youth.

3. Adjustments to Recognitions and Emblems

• Children. When they are baptized or turn 8, Primary children will receive a picture of Jesus Christ and a copy of the Book of Mormon. They can also receive a temple ring as they learn the Articles of Faith.
• Youth. They will receive a crystal statue of the Savior when they begin the program. At an event called “Brand New Year” each January, young women turning 16 will receive a medallion locket and young men turning 16 will receive an oil vial to recognize their increasing opportunities to lead and serve.
• Availability. The crystal statue will become available mid-2027. The medallion locket and oil vials will become available for use in 2028. The previous emblems will be available through mid-2027 as supplies last.

4. Events and Activities

For Children:

• Valiant Activities. Children may begin attending Valiant activities beginning in January of the year they turn 8. Activities reinforce the monthly principles taught in fast-Sunday lessons. A Valiant super activity is held once a year at either the ward or stake level.
• An annual Primary service activity.
• An annual Celebration of Growth event for children ages 8 and older. In this event held near the end of the year, children share what they have experienced and learned as they have worked on their goals. Leaders may also use this event to welcome children who will be turning 8 during the next year.
• An annual Baptism and Confirmation Preparation meeting for children turning 8.
• An annual Temple and Priesthood Preparation meeting for children turning 11.

For Youth:

• Activities, service projects, Young Women camps, Aaronic Priesthood quorum camps, youth conferences, and For the Strength of Youth conferences.
• A Brand New Year event. In this event, new youth are welcomed to the program and receive a crystal Christus statue—an emblem of their desire to become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. Gatherers of Light receive a medallion locket and priests receive an oil vial. Youth also learn about the annual youth theme.
• A Celebration of Lifelong Discipleship event. In this event, held near the end of the year, youth celebrate the experiences they had with FSY guide invitations and at activities, camps, and conferences.

Resources

Program Instruction for Children

Find the following new resources in the Gospel Library > Children > New 2027 Resources:

• Parent and Leader Guide: Refinements to the Children and Youth Program for Children. A printed version will be available as an insert in the January 2027 issue of the Friend magazine. You can remove it from the magazine to use as a stand-alone publication. It includes the calendar of principles for fast-Sunday lessons and Valiant activities for each month of 2027.
• Activities, Events, and Meetings.
• Children’s Emblems.
• The Friend magazine will provide additional resources each month related to the monthly principle.

Program Instruction for Youth

Find the following new resources in the Gospel Library > Youth > Program Instruction for Youth:

• Youth Tool Kit. In addition to the digital version, a print version will be available as an insert (pages T1-T32) in the January 2027 issue of the For the Strength of Youth magazine. You can remove it from the magazine to use as a stand-alone publication. It includes all the program information, as well as aids like “How to Prepare a Talk,” “Activity Planner,” “Ministering” planner, and “Presidency Meeting Agenda.”
• Believe, Belong, Become: The Journey of Discipleship video. This 9-minute video explains the three foundational pillars of the youth program.
• New Sunday Youth Curriculum Instruction video. This 23-minute video introduces the youth curriculum, demonstrates using the For the Strength of Youth guide, and highlights magazine resources.
• Program FAQs for Youth answer many questions about the program, including detailed instructions on what the four different Sunday lessons look like.
• The For the Strength of Youth magazine will provide additional resources each month related to the monthly FSY guide topic.

For Parents

• The January 2027 issue of the Liahona will have an article for parents and leaders about the refined program.

Previous program materials will be discontinued, such as the Youth Guidebook, Children’s Guidebook, Young Women Camp Guide, Aaronic Priesthood Camp Guide, and the previous emblems.

You can request a free print subscription to the Church magazines at MagazineSubscriptions.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

These program updates will be added to the General Handbook in 2027.

Summary Guide to the Children and Youth Program

 

Learn more in the podcasts below: