Notice from the Young Men General Presidency, February 13, 2004

Effective immediately, the time requirement for completion of the Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God service project—10 hours for deacons, 20 for teachers, and 30 for priests—is discontinued. Instead, emphasis should be placed on the following:

• Giving Service
  A young man should choose a service project that will benefit his family, ward, stake, or community.
• Developing Leadership Skills
  The young man should plan, prepare, and carry out the project. He should be encouraged to involve other members of his quorum in completing the project.

Projects should be approved by the parents and the Aaronic Priesthood quorum adviser.

If you earn the Eagle Scout Award while you are a deacon, teacher, or a priest, the Eagle Scout service project may count for both the Eagle Scout Award and the appropriate Aaronic Priesthood Duty to God project. You are encouraged to involve other members of your quorum in completing the project.

Adapting to Individual and Local Needs

The requirements listed in the Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God guidebooks may be modified or replaced according to personal or local circumstances, interests, and needs with the prior approval of parents and Aaronic Priesthood leaders. When making any changes or exceptions for one person, leaders should carefully consider the effects those changes may have on the other young men. After careful consideration by parents and leaders, modifications may be appropriate to meet the needs of young men with disabilities or educational limitations, to meet cultural or individual needs, or to allow young men who are not members to participate.

A worthy teacher or priest, including a new member, who has not received all of the Duty to God certificates may still earn the Duty to God Award by completing (1) all the requirements for the current certificate and (2) the following requirements for the preceding certificates: the family and quorum activities and the personal goals, except for the annual service projects, talks, and family home evening lessons.