Our Youth

In January I was called into the Young Womens and I feel like the Lord has been teaching me a lot about our youth: they are awesome!

Before being called into the youth, I have to admit I was quite skeptical about them. The world they are growing up in is so much more wicked than the one I did, and they don't have the same social skills, are more anxious about doing simple tasks, have more exposure to doubts and anti-church stuff, and waste a ton of time.

I wouldn't say that working with the youth has shown me that those things are UN-true. But the Lord has impressed upon my mind over and over again that this generation is something special. These are our stripling warriors. These are the ones that will lead us in the last days. These young men and women are valiant spirits that should not be underestimated or shunned for all the things they don't quite grasp yet or don't do well. It makes a lot of sense to me now why the Lord is pushing so hard for them to lead and be in charge-- because of who they are. I think if we knew what kind of adults they will be, we would stop trying to control them and truly hand over the reigns. The Lord knows these kids. It's our job to instruct them as best we can, provide scaffolding, and then let them fly.

I kind of wonder if the world they are growing up in is actually aiding their fast progress towards powerful, faithful leaders in the church. Their constant saturation with worldly stuff will help them see the destructive nature and stupidity of it all, leading them closer to Jesus Christ and leading them to living in a completely different way. I also wonder if these trials with anxiety and mental illness won't also teach them, from a very young age, to rely on their Savior and yoke themselves to Him. Handing over the reigns on Strength of Youth issues too, I see as part of the Savior's plan for these valiant youth. It's not a plan free of mistakes-- in fact I imagine there will be a lot of them-- but a plan that ultimately leads to the youth having a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ before they even leave the house. 

In short, I think we need to stop with the fear-mongering about today's youth. The Lord trusts them and has a plan for them. We can trust in the Lord, and use the tools and patterns he has given us-- Come Follow Me, the Children and Youth Program, FSY, temple attendance, etc. and watch his glorious plan unfold. He has His church in the palm of his hand, and it will not fail. He is coming again, and He is preparing his people in HIS way.

"But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war." --Alma 56:56

"For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." -1 Samuel 16:7

"God has revealed and will continue to reveal His almighty hand. The day will come when we will look back and know that during this time of adversity, God was helping us to find better ways—His ways—to build His kingdom on a firm foundation.

I bear my witness that this is God’s work and He will continue to do many unimaginable things among His children, His people. God holds us in the palm of His caring and compassionate hands." -Elder Uchtdorf Oct. 2020