Why are age limits set on PH ordinations?

[Paperback Writer]

I understand the concept that AP advancement should be based on more than just age and worthiness. But it will open up a can of issues that's best left sealed. There are already many LDS parents who micromanage their kids lives. Although this is not unique to LDS (helicopter parents), just think of the opportunities for parental interference. My little Johnny is just so spiritual, I don't know why he hasn't been made a priest yet - he turned 12 six months ago. And that Jones boy is already a priest and I saw him riding his bike on the Sabbath. Poor bishop would spend all of his time managing AP advancement.

What might work is just lumping all the typical AP responsibilities under the AP umbrella. A young man could bless the sacrament when he's ready and confident. Same with home teaching and other responsibilities. In other words, just get rid of the offices in the AP and let young men preform the ordinances when they are ready. It would allow for much more youth mentoring in the AP. And maybe help "fix" the LDS version of Boy Scouts that is so badly bastardized.

[SCcoug]

My question really is "what qualifies someone to hold the PH?" and my observation is that they turn 12 and are deemed worthy. This was most likely not the case in Joseph Smith's time and certainly not in the primitive church. I'm not saying it's wrong, just that it feels....IDK....somewhat superficial at times.

You can seek or aspire to it like Abraham in the PoGP. On a related note I think of this scripture whenever women and the priesthood come up.

2 And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.

If it is ok for Abraham to actively seek the priesthood, why not women?

[Uncle Ted]

But it oftentimes is based on age....or I guess it's more accurate to say that Elders will start attending HPG at a certain age and they usually get ordained shortly after that time....at least in my experience. I've seen many Elders that are older than 40 years old start attending HPG at the recommendation of the bishop. I've also seen the bishop recommend that an older Elder attend HPG but have that Elder tell him he wants to stay in EQ.

My question really is "what qualifies someone to hold the PH?" and my observation is that they turn 12 and are deemed worthy. This was most likely not the case in Joseph Smith's time and certainly not in the primitive church. I'm not saying it's wrong, just that it feels....IDK....somewhat superficial at times.

Yes, I am one of those (over 40) Elders that wants to remain an Elder as long as possible. I guess I associate HPs with genealogy and there are a lot of horse thieves and anti-mormons in my family line that I don't care to know about.

I think PWB hit in on the head. It would open up a huge can of worms for bishops/SP to deal with from the more than usual number of helicopter parents if their son was "left behind" for some reason. I have seen a family stop coming to church because their son wasn't able to go on a mission.

[Jacob]

Those aren't the only roles of a deacon and this could easily be more expounded to the teachers who are to see that the church meets together often. How often have you seen a teacher fulfill this duty and how do they fulfill it? How are they supposed to make sure there is no iniquity? Seems like better duties for a more mature person, however I don't mind teaching these duties to a 14 year old but my problem is when they try to implement them without stretching the meaning.

Your last paragraph is probably spot on, but having more meaning implies that a PH holder can actually perform his duties.

I don't think the roles you are using, taken from D&C, were originally meant to apply to 12 year olds. We've changed the process since then, and we certainly aren't going to ask a 14 year old to make sure there is no iniquity. We aren't going to pay any attention to a 14 year old who is trying to see that we meet together often.
Can you imagine a 14 year old discussing these issues with you and making suggestions as to how you need to do better? It's bad enough when a young whippersnapper EQ president does this. And I'm only 32. If those are the roles you want to stick with, then we need to see about not giving these kids the priesthood at all.

[Moliere]

I don't think the roles you are using, taken from D&C, were originally meant to apply to 12 year olds. We've changed the process since then, and we certainly aren't going to ask a 14 year old to make sure there is no iniquity. We aren't going to pay any attention to a 14 year old who is trying to see that we meet together often.
Can you imagine a 14 year old discussing these issues with you and making suggestions as to how you need to do better? It's bad enough when a young whippersnapper EQ president does this. And I'm only 32. If those are the roles you want to stick with, then we need to see about not giving these kids the priesthood at all.

That's the whole point of this thread.

[pellegrino]

I'm OK with AP advancement based on age (12, 14, 16). What I wish the LDS church would ditch is the high amount of nepotism for AP quorum presidents. This occurred decades ago when I was in AP and is still alive and kicking today. If a kids father is in the bishopric or stake presidency, then it's almost guaranteed he will be "called" as his quorum president regardless of his maturity or abilities.

What I don't understand is what qualifies one for HP advancement from Elder. It's not based on age.

That's funny, every AP quorum I was ever in the president was by default the oldest kid there.

[Surfah]

That's funny, every AP quorum I was ever in the president was by default the oldest kid there.

Same. And everyone got a turn it seemed.

[Indy Coug]

That's funny, every AP quorum I was ever in the president was by default the oldest kid there.

That was definitely not the case when I did a stint as YM president.

[Green Monstah]

That was definitely not the case when I did a stint as YM president.

It's actually a pretty good idea in a sense, but I've never seen it either.

[Indy Coug]

Through a combination of new converts and older quorum members being less active and/or less reliable, we went with younger quorum members on occasion.

[happyone]

The timeline has mere suggestions that could be modified as needed.

My grandfather was ordained an Elder at 16 so he could marry my grandmother in the temple (she was 15)

reading my great grandfathers journals from that year is interesting.