Boys waiting for their 12th birthday will be able to enter the lay priesthood of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when they’re still 11, under new rules unveiled by church leaders Friday.
The First Presidency announced that starting next month, and every January thereafter, boys will complete children’s Primary classes and advance to the Aaronic Priesthood and become “deacons” the year they turn 12.
Under the old rules, boys joined the priesthood on their 12th birthdays. Now, they will move up at the same time, rather than throughout the year.
The same will apply for girls, who will move from Primary to the Beehive level of Young Women the year they turn 12.