Stuff of Heroes

It is one thing to “hear Him” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17) in a quiet place of contemplation with scriptures wide open. But it is quite another thing to carry our discipleship into this mortal flurry of distractions, where we must strive to “hear Him” even through the blur of self-concern and faltering confidence. Let there be no doubt: it is the very stuff of heroes displayed by our youth when they set their hearts and minds to standing upright against the shifting moral tectonics of our time.

Lasting Discipleship

October 2022

General Conference

Steven J. Lund

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/45lund?lang=eng&verse=#p

If you want to know anything, you will have to do something...I invited my new friend to start doing the gospel of Jesus Christ

I had a sweet experience with a darling young woman who asked a very sincere question: “Sister Craven, how do you know that anything about the Church is true? Because I feel nothing.”

Before jumping to an answer, I first asked her some questions. “Tell me about your personal scripture study.”

She replied, “I don’t read the scriptures.”

I asked, “What about with your family? Do you study Come, Follow Me together?”

She said, “No.”

I asked about her prayers: “What do you feel when you pray?”

Her answer: “I don’t pray.”

My response to her was simple: “If you want to know anything, you will have to do something.”

Isn’t that true with anything we want to learn or know? I invited my new friend to start doing the gospel of Jesus Christ: praying, studying, serving others, and trusting in the Lord. Conversion won’t come while doing nothing. It comes through the power of the Holy Ghost as we intentionally make an effort to know by asking, seeking, and knocking. It comes by doing.3

April 2022 General Conference, Rebecca L. Craven

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/33craven?lang=eng&id=p6-p40#p6

It is not pleasing to the Lord if we are cruel or mean to others....

My young sisters—and adult women too—it will bless your lives if you limit your use of and dependence on cell phones.

....Be kind to others. Kindness is something many of our youth are doing already. Some groups of youth in some communities have shown the way for all of us. We have been inspired by our young people’s acts of kindness to those in need of love and help. In many ways, you give that help and show that love to one another. We wish all would follow your example.

At the same time, we know that the adversary tempts all of us to be unkind, and there are still many examples of this, even among children and youth. Persistent unkindness is known by many names, such as bullying, ganging up on someone, or joining together to reject others. These examples deliberately inflict pain on classmates or friends. My young sisters, it is not pleasing to the Lord if we are cruel or mean to others....

The youth battalion President Nelson invited you to join will not be mean to one another. They will follow the Savior’s teaching to reach out and be loving and considerate of others, even to turn the other cheek when we feel someone has wronged us....

My dear sisters, if you participate in any meanness or pettiness—individually or with a group—resolve now to change and encourage others to change. That is my counsel, and I give it to you as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ because His Spirit has prompted me to speak to you about this important subject.

Parents and Children

October 2018

General Conference

Dallin H. Oaks

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/parents-and-children?lang=eng&verse=#p

The world needs people who can keep their word, who have a code of honor, and who can finish a task and endure to the end.

The world needs people who can keep their word, who have a code of honor, and who can finish a task and endure to the end...concentrate on getting an education, growing spiritually, and graduating.

I testify to you that you are among the very noble on earth. You are the future leaders of our society and the Church. You need not look like the world. You need not entertain like the world. Your personal habits should be different. Your recreation should be different. Your concern for family will be different. As you establish this distinctiveness firmly in your life’s pattern, the blessings of heaven await to assist you.

Gifts of the Spirit, ROBERT D. HALES, Aug. 1, 1993 BYU Devotional

“To the youth of the Church … above all we plead with you to live clean, for the unclean life leads only to suffering, misery, and woe physically—and spiritually it is the path to destruction. How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter.” (The Improvement Era, 45:273.)
"With All Thy Getting Get Understanding", Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign August 1988

Much of The Heavy Lifting in Hastening the Work of Salvation...Will Be Done By Young People

The leadership of the Church has issued a clarion call to the rising generation to lead the way in the use of technology to experience the spirit of Elijah, to search out their ancestors, and to perform temple ordinances for them.26 Much of the heavy lifting in hastening the work of salvation for both the living and the dead will be done by you young people.27
ROOTS AND BRANCHES By Elder Quentin L. Cook  April 2014 GENERAL CONFERENCE  

These Are Your Days to Stand Strong as Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ

The worst whirlwinds are the temptations of the adversary. Sin has always been part of the world, but it has never been so accessible, insatiable, and acceptable. There is, of course, a powerful force that will subdue the whirlwinds of sin. It is called repentance....My young brothers and sisters, how we love you, admire you, and pray for you. Don’t let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days—to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.24
SPIRITUAL WHIRLWINDS By Elder Neil L. AndersenOf the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles - April 2014 GENERAL CONFERENCE  

The Most Important Thing [the Youth] Should Be Doing In Their Lives Right Now

Recently I was blessed to meet with a most impressive group of youth from the state of Idaho. One virtuous young woman asked me what I feel is the most important thing they should be doing in their lives right now. I suggested they learn to recognize the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in their lives. 

 October 2013 General Conference - Personal Strength Through The Atonement Of Jesus Christ - Richard G. Scott

You Have The Primary Responsibility For Your Own Conversion

Young friends, we live in perilous times, and the decisions which you are called upon to make on a daily, or even hourly, basis have eternal consequences. The decisions you make in your daily life will determine what happens to you later. If you do not yet have a firmly rooted testimony and conviction that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth, now is the time to do what it takes to gain that conviction. To delay making the effort required to earn that kind of conviction can be dangerous to your soul.

It is well to remember that no matter how inspired your parents and youth leaders may be, “you have [the] primary responsibility for your own conversion. No one can be converted for you, and no one can force you to be converted.”⁷ 

 October 2013 General Conference - Be Ye Converted - Bonnie L. Oscarson

Do We Want To Be Quitters, Or Do We Want to Be Valiant Servants?

President N. Eldon Tanner stated: “One young boy on the school ground can wield a mighty influence for good. One young man on the football team, or the campus, or among his fellow workers can, by living the gospel, honoring his priesthood, and taking a stand for the right, do untold good. Often you will experience much criticism and ridicule even by those who believe as you do, even though they may respect you for doing right. But remember that the Savior himself was tormented, ridiculed, spat upon, and finally crucified because he would not waver in his conviction. Have you ever stopped to think what would have happened had he weakened and said, ‘Oh, what’s the use?’ and abandoned his mission? Do we want to be quitters, or do we want to be valiant servants in spite of all the opposition and evil in the world? Let us have the courage to stand up and be counted as true, devoted followers of Christ.”⁸

 October 2012 General Conference - Be Valiant In Courage, Strength, And Activity - Bishop Gary E. Stevenson

I Prefer "The Terrific Teens"

Soon you entered that period some have labeled “the terrible teens.” I prefer “the terrific teens.” What a time of opportunity, a season of growth, a semester of development—marked by the acquisition of knowledge and the quest for truth.

Thomas S. Monson -- April 2012 General Young Women Meeting

Raised In Enemy Territory...You Need Not Fail or Fear

You young people are being raised in enemy territory...But despite the opposition, trials, and temptations, you need not fail or fear.


Boyd K. Packer, "Counsel To Youth", General Conference  October 2011 Counsel To Youth

[Immodesty] Never Has Been Nor Will It Ever Be Within the Righteous Definition of A Faithful Daughter of God

Remember, sisters, God is the source of all moral and spiritual power. We gain access to that power by entering into covenants with Him and keeping those covenants. Mothers, teach your daughters the importance of making covenants, and then show them how to keep those covenants in such a way that they will desire to live worthy to go to the temple.

In today’s world this means talking to your daughters about sexual matters. Your daughters as well as your sons are coming of age in a world that openly embraces early, casual, and thoughtless promiscuity. Immodest, unchaste women are glamorized and all too often celebrated and emulated. While there are steps that we can take in our homes and families to minimize our exposure to these unsavory elements of contemporary living, your daughters cannot entirely avoid the blatant sexual messages and enticements that surround them. You need to have frequent, open discussions during which you teach your daughters the truth about these issues.

For example, they need to understand that when they wear clothing that is too tight, too short, or too low cut, they not only can send the wrong message to young men with whom they associate, but they also perpetuate in their own minds the fallacy that a woman’s value is dependent solely upon her sensual appeal. This never has been nor will it ever be within the righteous definition of a faithful daughter of God. They need to hear this—clearly and repeatedly—from your lips, and they need to see it modeled correctly and consistently in your own personal standards of dress, grooming, and modest living.

Mothers and Daughters

April 2010

2010–2019

M. Russell Ballard

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/mothers-and-daughters?lang=eng&verse=#p

April 2010

2010–2019

M. Russell Ballard

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/mothers-and-daughters?lang=eng&verse=#p

M. Russell Ballard, "Mothers and Daughters", Ensign, May 2010, 18–21

Young Women, Your Mothers Adore You

Young women, your mothers adore you. They see in you the promise of future generations. Everything you accomplish, every challenge you overcome brings them pure joy. And likewise your worries and heartaches are their worries and heartaches

M. Russell Ballard, "Mothers and Daughters", Ensign, May 2010, 18–21