Overcoming Today’s Challenges

From the Presiding Bishopric and Young Men General Presidency

In a fireside address on 12 November 2000, President Gordon B. Hinckley said that the youth of the Church face significant challenges. However, he explained, these challenges are more manageable than those faced by prior generations because today’s challenges largely involve behavioral decisions. Once youth decide to behave appropriately, the challenge is behind them (see “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth,” Ensign, Jan. 2001, 4). Wisely using the divine gift of agency to make correct choices will enable youth to successfully meet the challenges of today’s world.

President Hinckley suggested six B’s that can guide youth in overcoming their challenges:

• Be grateful. Youth should walk with gratitude in their hearts. They should thank their parents, friends, and others for help given them and should express gratitude to God in prayer.

• Be smart. Whatever their chosen field, youth should make the sacrifices necessary to obtain the best education available.

• Be clean. Youth are to avoid pornography, taking the name of God in vain, illicit drugs, destructive entertainment, tattoos, body piercing (other than piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings), early dating, and every kind of sexual transgression. Youth should choose friends who will be a positive influence on them.

• Be true. Youth should be loyal to the Church and true to their convictions.

• Be humble. Youth who are humble will be guided by the Lord and will receive answers to their prayers.

• Be prayerful. Youth need help from God. They should live so they can speak to Him in good conscience.

Bishops, Young Men presidencies, and other Aaronic Priesthood leaders are encouraged to review and discuss President Hinckley’s counsel with young men in quorum meetings, Sunday evening discussions, and other similar settings and to exemplify his counsel in their own lives. Help the youth recognize the joy that living these guidelines can bring, and acknowledge their efforts to live in accordance with President Hinckley’s counsel.

Photo by Jed Clark