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TEN STEPS TO MOTIVATING YOUTH THROUGH INTERVIEWS The Bishop interviews each young man and each young woman at least once a year. He interviews the Priests and the Laurels at least twice a year. The bishopric counselors assist him in this function as they also conduct interviews with members of the AP quorums and YW classes they oversee. Each young man and young woman should be interviewed at least twice a year.

1. Orient the youth about the nature of the interview. During a combined meeting the bishop presents the program. “The bishopric meets with all young men and young women once in every six months. As your bishop, I interview you on the date nearest to your birthday. My counselors will meet you six months prior to your birthday. The purpose of these interviews is to discuss your personal and spiritual welfare. This is a great time to talk about your goals, your challenges, and experiences. We can discuss your mission preparation or how you are applying the young women values to your life. You can also talk to me about your current “crushes.” ☺ I know how to keep confidential information (young people love adults who have a sense of humor). As your bishop, I look forward for this chance to get to know you better. I know that you can’t wait to talk to me so you ask Bro. Santos the executive secretary when your schedule is. Thank you. ” You can provide more details as outlined in the handbook. When speaking to the youth, sell the benefits.

2. Executive secretary prepares the list and sets an appointment. The ward executive secretary in consultation with the ward clerk determines who among the youth are already due for bishopric interviews through CMIS. The bishop may decide to interview on the nearest date to the young man or young woman’s birthday. The counselors may interview six months before the person’s birthday. With the list, the executive secretary can remind the bishopric of interviews due for the month.

Youth Interviews

“Susan, the bishop would like to meet you this Thursday at the chapel at around 6:00 p.m.” or an announcement made in the classes. “The following young men are due to meet with the bishop this Sunday after priesthood class for their annual interviews: Jonathan Lim, Robert John Cruz, and Christian Centeno.” If the young person seems aloof, you might consider going out of your way of inviting the young person yourself. Young people love attention from their leaders. The more individualized the invitation, the greater the chance the youth will respond. Otherwise, you may also consider making a personal visit to the home of a young man or young woman. You go to them instead of them coming to you. There are some instances where this is more realistic.

3. Ensure that venue for the interview is conducive. If you are not using the bishop’s office, assign a quorum or class to prepare a room for the interviews. Use it as a teaching opportunity. First show them how to do it. Show them how to check for proper lighting and ventilation. Have them clean it up so it’s free from any litter. Show them to remove all other items that can distract. Have them arrange two chairs across each other and a teaching table nearby for writing purposes. Encourage them to install Church posters and place flowers to enhance the ambience.

4. Welcome the young person with a warm handshake and a smile.

“It is so good to see you, John. Thank you for coming to this interview.” Look at the young person in the eye, extend a firm handshake (not too tight or it will hurt or too loose as it seems insincere) and then flash a smile. It will help the young person feel at ease.

5. Sit across each other, if possible, without any physical barriers. Show the young person his/her chair. Once s/he is seated, you may now sit as well. If you are the bishop and you are using your office, I strongly recommend that you do not stay behind your table. Physical barriers can send the non-verbal message of “distance.” You would like to be able to communicate freely. However, if it makes you feel uncomfortable, the table is probably appropriate.

6. Start with a prayer preferably to be given by the young person. “Let’s start with a word of prayer. John, would please give the opening prayer?” Since our goal is to provide the young person with a spiritual experience, singing a hymn together can be helpful. This is optional, of course, but it’s very powerful. “John what is you favorite hymn. Okay, let’s sing the first and the last verse of ‘Teach Me to Walk.’ After which, may I ask you to offer the opening prayer.”

Youth Interviews

7. Commence the interview by asking about the young person’s personal interest. “So how are you doing?” “How is school” “What do your grades look like this grading period?” “What do you enjoy doing in school the most?” “Tell me what your favorite subject is” “What qualities are you looking for a friend” “Do you have friends?” “What activities in church would you like to see?” “What did you do during the school break?” “What are your hobbies?” Our goal is to immediately show interest with the young person and have him/her do most of the talking. Our job then is to formulate and ask the questions. As time goes on, you will know more and more about the young person, so ask follow-up questions. “The last time we talked you told me about joining the speech club. How did that go?” “What happened to your computer project in school? Did you meet the deadline?” “You were thinking of asking Stephanie on a date, so how was she like?” 8. The most important part of the interview is to inquire into the spiritual well-being of the young person. “Interview carefully concerning worthiness. A Bishop could go down the line and merely ask the conventional questions and listen only for the words of the answers. His effectiveness could be very poor. He might receive affirmative answers and yet the individual might be quite unworthy. The bishop is entitled by revelation from the Lord to have discernment that would leave him uneasy about unworthy people.” “To be more specific, numerous leaders have asked in interviews, “Are you morally clean?” And the answer was, ‘Yes,’ when the individual actually was unclean. Perhaps in an occasion of this kind, the one being interviewed did not intend to lie, but the question was a general one, and he gave a general answer; and because they did not have a meeting of minds as to what was morally clean, the wrong answer was given.” [Pres. Spencer W. Kimball] “It so great to get to know you better. I didn’t realize how talented you are. Thank you for sharing all these personal information with me. I really appreciate it.” This is a transition phrase and signals you to move on the next subject. “Joan, let’s discuss your spiritual welfare this time. I will ask you some questions and please respond in whatever way you feel comfortable.” Do not exert too much pressure. It scares them off. “Do you pray vocally and in private?” “Do you study the scriptures regularly?” “Do you honor your parents?” “What about tithing? Do you understand what it means?” “Are you keeping yourself chaste?” “Do you ever read, listen, or view pornographic material?” Every time you ask the question, pause, and wait for the response. These questions are specific and they are necessarily so. “What kind of activities have you done so far to prepare to go on a mission?” If he is young man. “What have you done to incorporate the young women values to your life?” If she is a young woman. Other topics include: (Refer to the “For the Strength of the Youth” pamphlet) Word of Wisdom Language expression Testimony of the gospel Family life relationships

Modesty in dress Meeting attendance Sustaining leaders Career goals

Use of Illegal drugs Assignments Temple activities Peer group pressure 3

Youth Interviews

Discuss progress with Duty to God or Personal Progress programs. “Ben, I would like us to discuss your progress with the ‘Duty to God’ program. What new accomplishments have you had this past six months?” “Tess, what are some new goals you would like to achieve in the next six months with your Personal Progress program? Would you like to share some of them with me?” Have a sense of humor. On hearing the young person say that he does not find himself physically attractive. “I have been married now to my wife for sixteen years and you know what she tells me, I am still not her ‘crush’ after all these years. So if I ask her, sweetheart, am I handsome? She responds “you know what? You are a very good father.” ☺ Emphatize with the young person. “I use to have a lot of pimples when I was about your age. It was an embarrassing time of my life also. I didn’t even want to get out of the house. I know how you feel.” Encourage young person to take action. “I would really encourage you to read the scriptures daily. Even just fifteen minutes daily to start with. Do you think you can do that?” Set goals: “I know how hard it is to go fasting. I remember the first time I did it I almost fainted. The first Sunday of the month is coming up in two weeks shall we set that date for you to hold a fast? Follow-up. “You know the last time we discussed about starting to read the scriptures daily. How are you doing with that?” Resolve any concerns. “Jim, do you have any pressing problems now that you would like to discuss with me. Maybe I can be of help.” “Well, your parents may sound harsh to you. I felt that way also when they keep on nagging me about seminary. But in the end I realized it was for my own good.” Offer help. “I like computers myself. If you like you can come to the house and we can work together on that computer design.” Teach. “The Lord has given us a pattern of how we might seek His help. Let’s turn to D&C 9:7-9. He says we must first study it out in our mind. After we have studied it, we present our decision to God and ask if it is right. He promises to cause our bosom to burn if it is right.” 9. Summarize, express love and appreciation, and bear your testimony. “We talked about you having a daily scripture study for fifteen minutes. You said you would try that starting tomorrow. You also set your goal date in two weeks to hold a fast. Although you do not earn yet, you said you will start paying tithing out of your allowance. On that computer project of yours, I said you could come to the house and I can help you with that. I will make a note of all this so that we can review them during our next interview or you can tell me any time when you have accomplished any of these goals.” “You are a wonderful young woman, Karen, our Heavenly Father knows your needs. Your parents love you as we your priesthood leaders love you as well. I personally appreciate the service you render as the Laurel class president. I notice you have a terrific way of befriending less active young women. Keep it up.”

Youth Interviews

“Joe, I like the way you conduct mutual night opening exercises. You carry yourself well and look at your audience with confidence. I hope you can teach the other young men how to do that as well.” “I truly know in my heart that this is the work of the Lord. You are special to him. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel. I feel that in my heart. I know you can gain for yourself a testimony by reading and pondering the scriptures daily.” Another option is to also invite the young person to bear his/her testimony.* “Since I just bore to you my testimony, I would really like to hear your testimony of the gospel also.” 10. The leader closes the meeting inviting the young person to kneel in prayer and prayer should be specific to the needs and concerns of the young person.

Again, you have the option to sing a hymn or not. Music is such an edifying element. Either you start and end with a hymn or you can choose to sing just once. If you were to choose when to sing a hymn during an interview, I believe it is at the close of the interview will it will have the greatest impact. (*This idea can be applied as well in conducting stewardship interviews.) *“Perhaps we can sing a hymn together before we close this interview. Shall we sing one verse (or all verses) of “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go.” After the hymn is sung….. “Shall we kneel together to pray? Is it okay with you if I offered the prayer?” “We thank thee for the opportunity to meet with Joseph tonight. He is such a wonderful young man and we thank thee for the leadership abilities thou hast given him. We thank thee for his diligence in magnifying his calling as deacon’s quorum president. We are grateful for the good health and strength thou hast blessed him always.” “We pray for thy guidance and wisdom to be upon Rose as she reads and ponder the scriptures. Please help her remain chaste at all times. Bless her parents that they will continue to support her. We ask a special blessing for Rose as she takes the college entrance test. Help bring into her remembrance the lessons that she has learned in school.” As the bishop (or a bishopric counselor) your responsibility for the youth is enormous. The Lord expects much from you to give special care and attention to the church’s future leaders. That is the reason that the Lord has given that job to no less than the three most qualified men in the ward. It is a high priority category to the Lord. The presidency of the Aaronic priesthood has been set by doctrine as the bishopric. The Lord has placed this awesome responsibility directly in your hands. The youth of today is faced with challenges so big that they need all the help they can get from you. The teen-age years can sometimes be so confusing. Their choices at this crucial stage will determine whether they will live happily or live a life of misery. The youth interviews can prevent many misfortunes for the young person including unwanted pregnancy, premature marriages, smoking, drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling, and other very destructive habits that will guarantee their peril. You as the priesthood leader hold the key in your hand to lead these young men and young men through the pathway of eternal life. Copyright © 2005 Randy F. Rubio All rights reserved “Being Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause”