Charles W. Dahlquist II remembers his father, C. Winston Dahlquist, being a role model, leader of the local Lions Club and proud owner of the neighborhood's ugliest car bumper. The elder Dahlquist always seemed to be pulling up behind a motorist in need, giving them a push and earning yet another bumper scar.

That sense of brotherly concern and service was passed down to Brother Dahlquist, leader of the Church's newly called Young Men general presidency. Indeed, the duty to look out for others is one that Brother Dahlquist says he shares with fellow LDS youth leaders, worldwide, as they serve and direct the young men and women of the Church.

"At a time when the Lord has (sent) the strongest and the best, the adversary is alive and active," Brother Dahlquist said. "There is a war raging. . . . The prize and booty are the lives and souls of the youth."

Brother Dahlquist's recent call to preside in the Young Men general presidency marks something of a departure in Church leadership. For almost three decades, the presidency has been filled by members of the Seventy. Having non-General Authorities comprise the presidency allows Brother Dahlquist and his counselors — Dean R. Burgess and Michael A. Neider — to focus all of their service time on the young men, while remaining in their calling "for some extended periods of time."

Changes aside, Brother Dahlquist said the mission of the new Young Men presidency remains the same: building Aaronic Priesthood holders with testimonies of the Savior.

Brother Dahlquist may be years removed from membership in an Aaronic Priesthood quorum, but his connection to youth has never really faded. Visit his Salt Lake City office and you'll spot a well-worn first baseman's glove and several Scouting mementos. His Church service — be it as a Scoutmaster or, say, president of the Germany Hamburg Mission — has usually involved working with young people.

"I absolutely love working with youth," he said.

View Comments

Brother Dahlquist grew up in Idaho, served in the Swiss Mission, then returned to marry his high school sweetheart, Zella Darley. The Dahlquists have five daughters and seven grandchildren. A health-care attorney, Brother Dahlquist balances his professional duties with what he says is his responsibility to give back to the community. The president-elect of the Salt Lake Rotary Club, Brother Dahlquist is a recipient of Scouting's Silver Beaver and remains a strong advocate of Scouting in the lives of LDS boys. He counts as a highlight the hour he volunteers each week to work with a Franklin Elementary School student, helping her with reading and math.

There are certainly challenges facing LDS youth and, by extension, their parents and leaders. Pornography, profanity, drugs and alcohol remain perilous foes. Yet Brother Dahlquist insists it is a wonderful time to be a young man or woman in the Church. There are more opportunities for growth, education, service and development than ever before, he said.

"I am buoyed up by the light in these young people's eyes — and the potential the gospel can have in the lives of these young people."

E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.