Area Presidency Message
Influencing Youth to Make Inspired Choices
Because we care so much for the youth of the Church, we might say, “Let me tell you how,” or “Let me do this for you,” but this may not lead to the outcome we hope for.
A scripture establishes the pattern. “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.
“I am Jesus Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:23–24).
First, we learn and listen. We allow His words to penetrate our hearts, minds, and eventually our souls. Then as we walk in His ways and with His Spirit, we will experience His peace. The pattern is clear, and our challenge is to help the youth begin this process of choosing to know and follow Jesus Christ; He is the way to eternal joy.
One day, my youngest son said to me, “We have agency. We will never grow if you don’t provide the tools and then let us choose for ourselves. We can learn the truth for ourselves and choose the way.”
I felt foolish and realized I needed to trust my son and this generation, just as our Heavenly Father does. We must trust that they can do it. We show them the covenant path, we give them the compass—the guiding principles—and we let them figure it out themselves.
I remember when I was young, I had a stutter and had difficulty reading and writing, but my mother always expressed confidence in my ability to overcome these challenges. Her belief in me led me to enter a speech contest for youth held at church. To my surprise, I came in first place among the boys and second overall out of 14 youth in the contest. To this day, I still remember that speech. I was able to do this because I felt the confidence of my mother and leaders to do what was hard for me. I never would have imagined that I would be where I am today, speaking at conferences or writing articles for Church magazines. Our youth need us to believe in their ability to do difficult things as they turn to God and live in a higher and holier way.
An important tool to help youth understand how the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ can help us make inspired choices is the new For the Strength of Youth guide. The First Presidency’s introduction promises, “This guide will help you build a solid foundation for making choices to stay on the covenant path.”1 It will help you prepare to make sacred covenants in the temple, prepare to serve a mission, and find joy in following Jesus Christ throughout your life.
The better we understand the reality of today’s youth, the more likely we are to discover that the best way to make an impact towards a better future for them, the Church, and society is to invite them to live the gospel of Jesus Christ; one way to do this is to ask and assist them in actively participating in Church programs, as well as getting them involved in leading and planning.
I’ve learned that if I am involved, I will participate, and if I participate, I feel part of it, and because I feel part of it, I will commit to it. It works because the commitment isn’t something others are trying to impose upon me but rather what I want for myself. Elder David A. Bednar has taught that we need to find ways to “invite the young people to act. You have to be there, but you’ve got to get out of the way. You have to provide direction without taking over.”2
Our youth are not just future leaders. They are leaders today. We can mentor them in their callings to create experiences that reinforce these guiding principles and lead them to Christ. The doctrine of the gospel is quick and powerful to cut away the chaff of doubt and confusion the adversary spews (see Hebrews 4:12). We must seek the guidance of the Spirit to help youth feel a desire to listen and explore the doctrine. They need to feel and know for themselves that the invitation to learn is coming from the Master to them personally.
In the navy, when circumstances are desperate or when the ship is under attack, the clarion call goes out, “All hands on deck.” This generation needs all hands on deck. They need role models who help them see that what they do matters. Youth are often concerned about their future and the contribution they will make to the world and to others. We need all hands on deck to help them learn the Lord’s method for making inspired decisions that will allow them to be more effective in school and at work and to see where they fit in His plan.
Parents, leaders, and teachers, include in your teaching the new guide, For the Strength of the Youth. The doctrine and principles we find there, combined with sharing your experiences in making inspired decisions, will allow the youth to find what matters most.
Our youth need mentors to add to the meaningful role parents fulfill in their homes. Young people seek validation in relationships with adults who are not their parents. The way people perceive them is extremely important to them. They need adults who love them, care for them, and who can express it to them. They do not need superficial affection. They can sense insincerity from afar, but they can also sense genuine care. They need an investment of time that requires sacrifice on our part—the sacred commitment of living our baptismal covenants to help one another. Let’s build strong relationships with our youth so that when they are challenged, they will look to us. Through our example, they will learn that seeking Christ by living the principles of the gospel is the best way to carry forward their desires to do good in the world. However, first, they need representatives of the Master to stay close, “that thereby the [youth] might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption” (Alma 13:2) and to experience His peace.