Are LDS Men Failing the Church — Or Is the Church Failing Them?

For decades the church provided programs that built male community without men having to think about it — Scouting, Priesthood Session, stake athletics, the old Young Men program. Then, starting in 1980 and accelerating through 2018, those programs were simplified, consolidated, or removed entirely under a deliberate institutional direction: home-centered, Church-supported. The programs are gone. The expectation of brotherhood remains. And nobody has officially told LDS men whose job it is to fill the gap. Tonight we sit down to ask the honest question — are LDS men failing the church, or is the church failing them? We use President Hinckley's three things every member needs — a friend, a responsibility, and nourishing with the good word of God — as our diagnostic. And we ask what it actually looks like to build the brotherhood the programs used to provide. This isn't an anti-church conversation. It's a men-stepping-up conversation. Topics covered: — What "home-centered, Church-supported" actually means for men — What only the church can provide — and what falls on us — President Hinckley's three things and whether LDS men are getting them — The new convert problem — what happens when the home is empty? — What men are actually being called to build right now References: President Hinckley: churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1997/04/converts-and-young-men Church simplification history since 1980: thechurchnews.com/2019/4/4/23214936/simplifying-members-lives-reducing-strain-on-leaders-a-look-at-church-changes-since-the-1980s Join the dads at For The Strength of Dads: strengthofdads.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Conversation 02:49 The Shift in Men's Programs 06:13 Expectations vs. Reality in Church Programs 09:02 The Role of Structure in Community Building 11:53 The Crisis of Male Engagement 14:58 Home-Centered, Church-Supported: What Does It Mean? 18:13 Reframing Church Support 21:08 Community and the Role of the Church 24:06 Defining Church Support and Community Engagement 32:03 Exploring Sunday School Dynamics 35:07 The Role of Community in Learning 39:33 Shifting from Lecture to Discussion 44:19 The Importance of Community and Connection 51:42 Retention and Support for New Members 56:13 Family Home Evening: Tradition vs. Flexibility 59:06 Navigating Church Programs: Build or Restore? 01:02:32 Proactivity in Church Engagement 01:06:44 Simplifying Church Responsibilities 01:10:25 Empowering Local Leadership and Community 01:13:20 Finding Purpose in Family and Ward 01:16:38 Taking Responsibility for Spiritual Growth #lds