“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10).

I think this is one of the most beautiful scriptures, and one of the hardest for any teen to learn.

The third value listed in the The thought behind individual worth found in the Personal Progress book reads, “I am of infinite worth with my own divine mission, which I will strive to fulfill.”

All of us want to feel like there’s something special about us, something no one else can do just like we can. To counter this Satan wants to convince everyone there is nothing even remotely unique about them, nothing to set them apart. Sadly many of our youth believe him, even though God frequently tells us differently.

We all have gifts that make us different from everybody else. Sure they may seem a lot like the gifts others have, but no one can do them just like you. Heavenly Father hopes you can help yourselves, as well as all those around you with the gifts He’s granted.

If everyone who had a great voice decided they weren’t good enough, we’d have no choirs, no singing. If everyone who had even a smidgen of talent in chemistry decided they couldn’t do it, we’d have no knowledge of medicine, of how our bodies work, of how to continue to work towards a cure for cancer.

What are your gifts? What do you think is special about just you? Look beyond the obvious talents like singing, or writing, or playing basketball. Sometimes the less obvious talents are the ones that bless people the most. Do you have a gift for selfless service, or working hard? Are you able to learn things easily, or do you find yourselves good at teaching instead? Do you have a smile for everyone and anyone? Do you pick up on languages easily? How are you at being sociable, or grateful, or happy, or good with children?

There are countless numbers of gifts I can’t even begin to imagine, let alone mention in just one post. So many of your gifts are given so you might bless everyone around you.

One value experience listed in the Personal Progress book helps teens focus on what they can do with their gifts in the future.

“In your journal make a list of your hopes and dreams for your future home, family, and education and some important things you would like to accomplish in your life…Then record a plan that will help you achieve your goals.”

Already this value experience has you thinking of your future. What do you want to do with your life? Where would you like to go to college? Do you plan to finish school before getting married? How many children do you want? When we focus on our future it gives us a purpose. As we set this purpose, or this plan, to paper and begin setting goals to help us make it, feelings of worthlessness begin to disappear.

Another value experience encourages teens to look outside themselves and help others to realize their own individual worth.

“Do all you can to build others and make them feel of worth. Every day for two weeks notice the worthwhile qualities and attributes of others. Acknowledge them verbally or in writing. In your journal write what you have learned about the worth of individuals and how your own confidence grows when you build others.”

To go along with this we are given a scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants, a book also considered scripture by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the very same scripture listed at the top of the post.

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

I want to leave this scripture with you as a reminder that we are all special individuals. We all have worth. If you begin to doubt this, pray. God can take the negative thoughts about ourselves disappear. He has given us so many precious gifts that make us truly unique. I promise you, being unique is a good thing.