The Role in One Breath
You are called and set apart to support the bishopric in their responsibility for the deacons quorum — with special emphasis on mentoring the young men rather than running things for them.
“mentoring the young men, teaching them how to lead by inspiration”
The heart of the adviser's charge — General Handbook 10.5, Advisers and SpecialistsThe handbook frames the adviser's whole purpose around three things: mentor the young men, teach them to lead by inspiration, and help them become more like Jesus Christ. Everything else — attending meetings, helping with activities, tracking attendance — is in service of those three.
One reframe worth internalizing from day one: you are not a quorum leader. In Church usage, "quorum leaders" means the deacons quorum presidency — the 12- and 13-year-olds who hold the keys. Your job is to help them lead each other, not to lead in their place. When the presidency plans a weak activity that's theirs, and they learn from it, that's often a bigger win than a polished activity you planned yourself.
Who Does What
The Bishopric — presides
The bishopric is the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward. The second counselor has specific responsibility for the deacons quorum and presides whenever he attends. The bishopric mentors presidencies, meets with each young man twice a year, oversees teaching, and handles records and finances.
Handbook 10.3 →The Quorum Presidency — leads
A deacon serves as president, with counselors and a secretary where possible. The president holds priesthood keys. The presidency leads the quorum's work: knowing and serving every member, teaching priesthood duties, planning and conducting meetings, and planning activities.
Handbook 10.4 →You, the Adviser — mentors
Advisers support the bishopric, mentor the young men, and make two-deep adult coverage possible at every meeting and activity (which frees bishopric members to also visit Young Women and Primary). More than one adviser may serve per quorum — hence your co-adviser.
Handbook 10.5 →Parents — first responsibility
Parents carry the primary responsibility to teach their sons the gospel. Leaders and advisers support parents — encouraging communication with families, making sure activities bless families, and staying sensitive to young men who lack support at home.
Handbook 10.2.1.1 →The Rhythm of the Quorum
| When | What happens · your part |
|---|---|
| 2nd & 4th Sundays | Quorum meeting, 50 minutes. A presidency member conducts, leads the quorum theme, and counsels about assignments. Then a quorum member or adult leads instruction from the Come, Follow Me outlines. Quorum leaders counsel with advisers about who teaches — often that's you, but the goal is young men teaching too. |
| Weekly (non-Sunday) | Quorum activity — spiritual, social, physical, or intellectual balance; planned by the presidency with your support; paid from ward budget; two adults present. |
| Regularly | Quorum presidency meeting. The 12-year-old president conducts; at least two adults attend (bishopric member, adviser, or specialist). This is your prime mentoring venue — help them use the sample agenda and learn to counsel and seek revelation. |
| Annually | Quorum camp, a youth-and-parents meeting near the start of the year, at least one For the Strength of Youth-themed activity, and possibly FSY or youth conference. |
| Monthly (if directed) | Gathering fast offerings, in pairs, delivered promptly to the bishopric — if your bishop has directed this. |
Your Working Duty List
- Complete Protecting Children and Youth training within one month of being sustained, and every three years after. Non-negotiable first step. Do the training
- Mentor the presidency. Sit with them in presidency meetings, help them prepare agendas, and teach them to lead by inspiration — using the presidency orientation guide and the leadership lessons.
- Be at quorum meetings and activities so two adults are always present, and support whoever is teaching or conducting.
- Study and teach the gospel. Study Come, Follow Me yourself and share what you're learning; invite the deacons to share what they're learning at home.
- Know every deacon — including the ones who don't come. Help the presidency notice, reach out to, and minister to less-active quorum members.
- Support activities and camp. Help the presidency plan service and activities balanced across the four growth areas; help lead the annual quorum camp using the camp guide.
- Encourage personal development — youth set their own goals in four areas (leaders may suggest but never track them) using the youth guidebook or Gospel Living app.
- Help with records as asked — advisers assist the bishopric with attendance, records, and reports on request.
- Point everything toward Christ. The purpose of the quorum is helping young men make and keep sacred covenants and deepen conversion to Jesus Christ — the measure of every meeting and activity.
Policies to Never Miss
Two responsible adults, always
At every quorum meeting and every activity. If that's not possible, quorums meet together so it is. This is the reason advisers exist as a calling.
Handbook 10.8.1 →Training deadline
Youth-protection training within one month of sustaining; renewed every three years. Keep your certificate current.
ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org →Money and activities
Activities come from the ward budget, split equitably by youth counts. Participants may help pay for multiday events like camp only if the budget falls short — and no young man is ever excluded for inability to pay. One bishop-authorized fundraiser per year, max.
Handbook 10.2.1.3 →Safety at activities
Adult leaders are responsible for activity safety — check the Church's safety site when planning anything with travel, water, tools, or height.
safety.ChurchofJesusChrist.org →Also worth knowing: young men join the deacons quorum in January of the year they turn 12; with parental approval they may attend quorum activities and camps from then, and dances / youth conferences / FSY from January of the year they turn 14. If the ward has more than 12 deacons, the bishop may divide the quorum.
The Scriptural Core
“I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do…”
Read the full Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme (10.1.2) — recited at every quorum meeting →