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Contributed
by: Amy L. ajh@lvcm.com
I am speaking in sacrament meeting tomorrow on the changes in the
FTSOY pamphlet. I thought I would share this with the list in case anyone else would be
doing something similar. Basically, it's a compilation from the Ensign, New Era, etc. It
might be handy for others!
One of the things that has been updated is the For the Strength of Youth booklet. All the
new youth materials have a picture of the temple on the front. Both The Duty to God
pendant and the YW recognition medallion have the temple spires on them. This signifies
what we are trying to accomplish in YM and YW - to prepare the youth to make and keep
sacred temple
covenants.
What is "For the Strength of Youth"?
It is a doctrinal document created by the First Presidency of the Church outlining certain
standards to help youth understand and live eternal gospel principles in order to prepare
for the temple.
What are standards?
Standards are guidelines for behavior based on eternal gospel principles. Follow these
standards to achieve happiness.
Why has the Church revised For the Strength of Youth? From the January Ensign: Elder Cecil
O. Samuelson Jr. states that:
We live in a complex world, and the youth need a
clear understanding of what they need to do to live the life that Heavenly Father wants
them to live.
Often we tell the youth "what" but we don't
tell them "why". Our youth need to understand the "whys", not only for
themselves, but so they can explain the "whys" to their friends.
What has changed?
- The message in the front of the book from the First
Presidency has changed.
- "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the
Apostles" and "The Family: a Proclamation to the World" have been added -
they are in the back of the book. -not only to emphasize their importance but to show that
we have living Prophets to guide us, and continuing revelation.
- New material has been added that focuses on what the
Prophet has been telling us.
- For each topic, there are several scripture
references.
- There are seven new topics which bring the total to 18
topics: Agency and Accountability, Gratitude, Education, Family, Friends, Dress and
Appearance, Entertainment and the Media, Music and Dancing, Language, Dating, Sexual
Purity, Repentance, Honesty, Sabbath Day Observance, Tithes and Offerings, Physical
Health, Service to Others, and Go Forward with Faith.
- Reliance on the Holy Ghost is emphasized. Elder Cecil
O. Samuelson Jr. states that our youth are under utilizing the power of the Holy Ghost. We
should all rely more on the Spirit.
- Parental involvement is emphasized. For example, in
the dress and appearance section, it explains that if there is any question of whether an
item of clothing is modest or not, it counsels the youth to go ask their parent.
Obviously the standards haven't changed. But the world
has changed. FTSOY gives a clearer sense of what to do and is very practical.
Other notes:
Don't expect to be told in detail what you should and shouldn't do. In the section on the
Sabbath Day, don't expect a list of what you can and cannot do on Sunday. Instead, it
explains what it means to keep the Sabbath day holy, and leaves it up to the youth to
decide what is or is not appropriate to do on Sunday. FTSOY explains what the gospel
principles are, then leaves it up to the youth to apply them to their situation. It is
done this way so that the youth will be able to understand gospel principles enough to
apply them to real life situations with the guidance of the Spirit.
The new FTSOY is very clear, there is little chance for misinterpretation.
Although FTSOY is a doctrinal document, it is also very practical and usable.
FTSOY is not just for the young men and young women. It is for Parents, Sunday School
teachers, even Primary teachers and children. It is never too young to start teaching
these principles in our homes and in church meetings and classes.
FTSOY is an excellent resource for Family Home Evening, at Mutual, at firesides, in
lessons and talks, and many other ways.
Why is FTSOY important?
Both YM and YW are required to live the ideals from For the Strength of Youth to receive
the Duty to God or Young Womanhood Recognition awards.
One of our jobs in YM and YW is to assist the parents and help strengthen families.
President Gordon B. Hinckley states: "You have nothing in this world more precious
than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows
weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life,
nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out."
FTSOY can help you raise your children in righteousness. If the youth follow the standards
in FTSOY, they will learn what true joy is.
Strengthening
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