No matter what background you come from, there is something within you that inherently knows right from wrong. We were born with this gift.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith of the Mormon Church (or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), we are told precisely what this gift is in section 84: 45-46.
“For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.”
In this we are told every one of us was born with the light of Christ in our minds.
Once we recognize this light, this gift, we can use it in all aspects of our lives. Growing up and going out on your own isn’t an easy thing to do. Mom and Dad, leaders and teachers, good and righteous friends, odds are all those who have been noble influences are no longer there to help guide you in every aspect of your life. More often than not once the bands of high school have been cut and a guy and girl have moved out of their parents’ house, the thrilling sense of freedom often goes to their heads.
Now is the time to prove what you’ve been proclaiming for years now: you’re an adult.
Becoming an adult isn’t the fantastic thing most youth think. Becoming an adult comes with even more responsibilities. When heading off to college you must find the financial backing yourself. This can happen through getting a job, applying for grants and scholarships, or taking out a loan. All of these options come with their own responsibilities.
Other decisions will be where to live. How much can you afford for rent, groceries, and other bills? Will you work while going to school?
Just as the material things in our lives are important, our spiritual sides must be fed as well. Will you remember to take yourselves to church every week? Will you set aside time to study your Bible or if you’re Mormon, the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as well?
One of your greatest challenges will be to live what you’ve been taught. As teens our first instincts are to take care of #1. During these formative years so much teaching goes into learning to look after others as well. It is a significant sign of adulthood when one is able to place their own needs aside and think first of others.
Taking responsibility of our adult life does not come easily. It is a process. If we listen to that light of Christ within us, our conscience, we will find making the right choices much easier, and the process far less painful.
