Strength Not Known Among Men

To my son,

               In the most recent general conference, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke about the new For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. When I was your age I had a similar guidebook, and it has now been revised to help you and your peers face the particular challenges you will face. He said as he introduced it, “It will be a significant help for making choices in your life. Please embrace it as your own and share it with your friends.” Like the one that I had, it contains guidelines about how to make righteous choices and navigate the complexities that you will face as you grow up. As Elder Uchtdorf explained, though, it doesn’t give you checklists of what to do and not do: “It doesn’t make decisions for you. It doesn’t give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ about every choice you might ever face. For the Strength of Youth focuses on the foundation for your choices. It focuses on values, principles, and doctrine instead of every specific behavior.” Ultimately we each have to learn how to make choices in our lives and what our standards will be; this pamphlet invites you and me to make Jesus Christ and His gospel our standard. Elder Uchtdorf continued, “Jesus Christ has very high standards for His followers. And the invitation to earnestly seek His will and live by His truths is the highest standard possible! Important temporal and spiritual choices should not only be based on personal preference or what is convenient or popular. The Lord is not saying, ‘Do whatever you want.’” Instead of being told what to do, we are to in each situation think about the Savior and seek top understand His will for us: “Jesus Christ is our perfect example, and we strive with all the energy of our soul to follow Him.” I hope that you will seek to better know how to follow Him as you read and study this new pamphlet.

               When I was growing up, I probably consider that the “strength of youth” was found in keeping the commandments and the principles found therein. That certainly is a part of it, but most importantly out strength comes from Jesus Christ. The pamphlet explains in the introduction: “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.’” It also says, “Jesus Christ is the way to eternal joy. As you use your freedom to choose to follow Jesus Christ, you are on the path that leads to eternal happiness. Make Jesus Christ your standard, your rock-solid foundation. Build your life on His teachings, and measure your choices by them.” As you seek to learn of Him through prayer, the study of the scriptures, attending the temple, and loving others, you will find joy. He will give you strength more than any earthly source or any of your own talents. Never forget this powerful declaration from the apostle Paul: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). As you strive to keep your covenants with Him, He will indeed give you strength. The Savior promised this to Oliver Cowdery: “I will give unto him strength such as is not known among men” (Doctrine and Covenants 24:12). As you come unto Him, He will likewise give you strength that you could never have without Him.  

Love,

Dad