General Conference Is for You

Learn, Act, and Share: Doing Your Duty to God

As a deacon, teacher, and priest, you will participate in activities that will help you build spiritual strength and learn and fulfill your priesthood duties. Each activity follows this simple pattern:

First you learn about a gospel principle or a priesthood duty. You discover what Heavenly Father wants you to do, and you strive to gain a spiritual witness about why it is important.

Next you make plans to act on what you have learned. You are encouraged to base your plans on your own needs, circumstances, and opportunities to serve others. This is a wonderful chance to take responsibility for your own growth and develop spiritual self-reliance.

Then you share what you learn and experience with others. As you do so, you will strengthen your testimony and build faith in those around you. You will increase your ability to talk about the gospel with others. …

… I testify that your faithful service in the Aaronic Priesthood will change the lives of those you serve. There are people who need your priesthood service. Your family needs you. Your quorum needs you. The Church needs you. The world needs you.

David L. Beck, Young Men general president

“Come all ye sons of God who have received the priesthood.” Let us consider our callings, let us reflect on our responsibilities, and let us follow Jesus Christ, our Lord.

President Thomas S. Monson

The stage is yours, my dear Aaronic Priesthood boys. Are you ready and willing to play your part? The Lord needs every able young man to prepare and recommit, starting tonight, to be worthy of a call from the prophet of God to serve a mission.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Seventy

Just a few weeks ago, I saw a new deacon start on that path of diligence. His father showed me a diagram his son had created that showed every row in their chapel, a number for each deacon who would be assigned to pass the sacrament, and their route through the chapel to serve the sacrament to the members. The father and I smiled to think that a boy, without being asked to do it, would make a plan to be sure he would succeed in his priesthood service.

I recognized in his diligence the pattern from the new Duty to God booklet. It is to learn what the Lord expects of you, make a plan to do it, act on your plan with diligence, and then share with others how your experience changed you and blessed others.

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency

Adult members of the Church should understand that Personal Progress and Duty to God requirements are not just lengthy lists of items to check off. They are personal goals set by each young man and young woman to help them become worthy to receive temple ordinances, serve missions, enter into eternal marriage, and enjoy exaltation. But let it be understood: for young men and young women to try to accomplish these goals alone would be a great loss and tragedy!

Fathers, mothers, and leaders of youth, we urge you to participate in Personal Progress and Duty to God with your children and with the youth. Not only will they grow; you will grow too. And just as importantly, you will grow together in a bond of faith and friendship that will allow you to strengthen each other and stay on the gospel path forever.

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

NEmore

For more information about the new Duty to God program, go to DutyToGod.lds.org.

I have a new motivation to be a better priesthood holder and serve the Lord. I love quotes like “True love requires action,” or “If there is a design in this world there must be a designer,” and also “The Church proclaims, promotes, and protects the truth.” Quotes like these help me remember to be a better young man.

Jesse M., 18, Utah, USA

I liked the fact that many of the speakers chose to direct their remarks to us, the youth. I especially liked when President Eyring spoke of the importance of the youth programs.

Zachary S., 13, North Carolina, USA

General conference has helped me to increase my desire to serve a mission. So many talks addressed missionaries or even missionary work. I liked Elder D. Todd Christofferson’s talk about the scriptures, because I never had before considered that the people of the world didn’t have access to scripture quite like what we have today.

Steven M., 20, Missouri, USA