Questions and Answers

“All my friends play teen-rated video games, but I choose not to. Are teen-rated games OK?”

“Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best.”

President Dallin H. Oaks, First Counselor in the First Presidency, Oct. 2007 general conference (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 105).

Standards of the World

“I also choose not to play teen-rated games. Some of them can be fun, but you never know what could happen. I play fun games with my family, and I feel better about not playing teen-rated games. The standards the world has today are not equal to God’s standards, and I want to be like Him.”

Payton D., 13, Nevada, USA

Listen to the Spirit

“Do the video games have any profanity or immodesty? We should try to avoid these, because these things drive away the Spirit. Violence can also drive away the Spirit. Carefully and prayerfully consider whether or not you can feel the Spirit in your life when you are playing these games regularly.”

Miriana B., 18, Washington, USA

Representatives of Jesus Christ

“It is important to remember that we have taken Jesus Christ’s name upon us, so we are representatives of Him. In everything we do, we should ask ourselves if we are acting as He would and if we are bringing ourselves closer to Him.”

Brandon K., 17, Ohio, USA

Good, Better, and Best

“We should remember that there are always good, better, and best things we can be watching, playing, and listening to. Even if there are worse things we could be doing, there are probably more wholesome and uplifting things we could be doing too.”

Ash H., 17, Virginia, USA

How Would the Savior Feel?

“When choosing entertainment, I ask myself if the Savior would feel comfortable watching or playing with me. If the answer is no, then I don’t use that entertainment, regardless of its rating. There are many good games that can be fun and challenging and still invite the Spirit to be with us.”

Brigitte D., California, USA

Responses are intended for help and perspective, not as official pronouncements of Church doctrine.

What Do You Think?

I’m 16, and everyone around me is in a relationship and I’m not. I feel left out. What should I do?

Send your answer and photo by February 15, 2021.

Go to ftsoy.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, click “Submit Your Work.” Sign in with your Church Account and then select “For the Strength of Youth” under “Choose Magazine.” Click “Add File” to select your file and photos, and then click “Submit” to upload and send us your file. Or send an email to [e-mail].