Never let it be said the youth are not important. From the beginning of time the use of young people to further the work of the Lord has been utilized again and again.
David was a young man when he slew Goliath (1 Samuel 17:33, 42). Noah was ordained to the priesthood at only ten years old (D&C 107:52). John the Baptist was even younger than that: eight days to be precise (D&C 84:27-28).
From the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, we read at twenty-five Moroni became the chief caption over all the Nephite armies (Alma 43:17). The prophet Mormon was only fifteen years old when he beheld the glory of the Lord (Mormon 1:15).
Even in this last dispensation the young have wrought mighty things. Think of Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church). At fourteen years old he was visited by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, after taking James 1:5 seriously and enquiring as to what church to join.
Later one of his family members, Joseph F. Smith was only fifteen when called to serve his first mission.
Needless to say the youth of the world are precious, and should be treated as such. Youth need to be fortified against the outside influences of the world. Too often teens are led astray by those proclaiming to love them more than parents and leaders.
Leaders of youth can be one of the strongest influences over teens today. Whether they are a teacher at school or at church, those who can see what extraordinary abilities lie within a teen can be valuable tools in helping them reach their potentials.
I recall many wonderful leaders I had the privilege to know and love as a youth. Many of them are ingrained in my mind as ones who loved me more than I loved myself. One particular teacher, Michelle, went so far as to offer me a little job cleaning her home. She and her husband, Jon, were expecting their first child. The general upkeep of their home was proving to be terribly difficult the further along she got in her pregnancy. They could have picked any of the girls in my class. I’m certain they prayed about it, and the spirit told them I needed this opportunity. It turned out to be such a blessing in my life at that time. I don’t think Jon or Michelle can possibly know what that experience meant to me.
Years later and I am now a teacher of the young women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was first called as a member of the presidency several years ago. Little did I know that within a month I would discover a passion for the youth of today. It wasn’t so long ago I was one of them, and I could see that insecure teen in the eyes of my girls. After several years of serving them I am now comfortable in my position as a teacher. I love the youth with all my heart.
Leaders of the teens need to take an active hand in providing meaningful teaching experiences outside of regular Sunday meeting. Leaders over the Latter-day Saint Church youth willingly give of their time and energies to help give extra support on a weekly basis. Lessons are prepared for Sunday meetings. Other than Sunday or Monday, one night a week is dedicated to an activity. These activities help bring the youth together in ways to help strengthen them in knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They provide skills youth can use in the home, workplace, and in social scenes. They also create a sense of community, both with the other teens in a ward (congregation) and with those they serve. Trust me when I say youth are called on to serve quite a lot.
It should be the hope of leaders to shape teens into someone like the sons of Mosiah, who can be found within the Book of Mormon:
“They had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
“But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:2-3).
As leaders of teens in any church it is our duty to encourage them to push beyond their expectations, for their own ideas of what they can accomplish will be continually squashed down by the forces and influences of Satan. We must be there to lift them up and beyond in the hopes that they will achieve the righteous desires of their hearts and lead others by example.
