The new “For the Strength of Youth” guide released during October 2022 general conference — like other recent initiatives and efforts by the Church — is designed to help youth focus on the Savior Jesus Christ and seek personal revelation in making decisions.
“We’re moving to a higher and holier way, where the guidance that we receive from the Brethren, from the Church, is less prescriptive and more spiritually based,” said Young Men General President Steven J. Lund, referring to what President Russell M. Nelson has taught.
“We’re being asked to not look to somebody else to decide what our standard should be — but recognizing the weight of membership and the weight of holiness that belongs to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will by itself prescribe how we behave and how we dress and how we comport ourselves. …
“When we speak of a higher and holier way, that calls for us to be more vigilant about making sure that we’re complying to what Heavenly Father would have us do.”
Brother Ahmad S. Corbitt, first counselor in the Young Men general presidency, referenced what President Nelson told the youth in June 2018: “You are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation.”
The new guide “is a natural result of that,” Brother Corbitt said of the youth’s capacity. “You see this natural progression of respect and regard for the valiance, ability to choose wisely, make good choices.”
With President Nelson’s quote as a backdrop, President Lund said, youth can think “How can I best accomplish that work for which I was preserved? ... How should I behave? ... How should I look? How does the way I dress affect my ability to be a light in the world, when that’s the reason I’m here [at this time]?”
Related Story
Christ is the strength of youth
Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, second counselor in the Young Men general presidency, quoted part of the First Presidency message at the beginning of the guide: “There may be times when you don’t feel strong or capable. That’s normal. Especially in those moments, turn to the Savior. He is the strength of youth.”
One of the first sections of the guide is “Jesus Christ will help you” and it talks about the importance of repentance, Brother Wilcox added. “The first thing that people are reading is how Christ will help us, how His grace, His power is available to us because we are covenant makers and covenant keepers. ...
“I just want every young person to realize that that’s the message: Christ can help you. No matter where you are in applying these standards in your life, no matter where you are in your journey of discipleship, Christ can help you. He’ll meet you where you are. And He will help you move to these higher levels.”
But what about rules?
In his October 2022 general conference talk titled “Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth,” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “Is it wrong to have rules? Of course not. We all need them every day. But it is wrong to focus only on rules instead of focusing on the Savior. You need to know the whys and the hows and then consider the consequences of your choices. …
“The best guide you can possibly have for making choices is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the strength of youth.”
Brother Wilcox said: “This guide is not announcing that the standards have changed. What it’s doing is helping parents and leaders teach those standards differently. And it’s helping young people realize that they can be guided by these principles, rather than by the rules.”
Related Story
In the general conference leadership meeting, Brother Wilcox said, Elder Uchtdorf told general authorities and general officers that he longs for the day when the youth are not defined or recognized by what they can and cannot do. Rather, they are recognized because of their love of Jesus Christ.
“We want young people to say ‘Because I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, then I know that I love God, and I love my neighbor. My body is sacred. I seek light. The truth makes me free,’” Brother Wilcox said.
“If we can have young people starting to explain the way they live by sharing principles, rather than ‘I can’t do this, and I can’t do that,’ then I think we’re one step closer to the vision that Elder Uchtdorf has of being defined by our love for and our discipleship of Jesus Christ.”
Brother Corbitt admitted that he is naturally rule-oriented and realizes some parents may struggle with knowing how to talk to their children about standards, such as dating or modesty.
“I would say to these dear parents, this is an opportunity to teach your children correct principles and help them govern themselves — not just leave them alone, but help them govern themselves, to counsel and to help them feel the Spirit,” Brother Corbitt said.
“I witness that the Holy Ghost will help you in this most important mission. If the most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home, then the Holy Ghost cares about that, and will give you the power of God unto the convincing of kids.”
Looking to the temple
President Lund pointed out that the new “For the Strength of Youth” guide includes related temple recommend questions at the end of each section and a complete list of the questions in the appendix.
He hopes youth become familiar with these questions and keep them in mind as they are making decisions. They might ask, “Is this decision I’m about to make going to draw me closer to the temple?” Or, “Is it going to pull me away from being able to answer that question?”
The appendix also includes the Aaronic Priesthood quorum theme, the Young Women theme and a list of the Ten Commandments.
“It’s not a matter of ‘the standards have changed,’” Brother Wilcox reiterated. “No, the commandments are the commandments. What’s changed is that hopefully we can teach those in a way that will be more meaningful and more motivating for youth as they are empowered to make decisions based on their own personal revelation.”
Related Story
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEnJ%2BuqpOdu6bD0meaqKVfobKisMSrqmhqYGd%2FcH2PaGlpZ2JogXGEl29waKaVrHqnu9Fmq6GdXajBs7HNoKuhZZ%2Bberq71K2fZp%2BlnrGmediorKefXaKyr3nGnqWeqpGherG%2BxKygnZ2emMZw