Teens & Seminary

Changing bad behaviors isn’t going to happen overnight, no matter how eager we may be to make it happen. The further into sin we are, the more difficult it will be to turn around. It’s important to help youth understand that making significant changes to better our lives needs to be a step-by-step process.

ACTIVITY

Scripture:

“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:10).

Learning is a step-by-step process, whether we’re learning about how to change a tire, or how to turn away from sin. To help youth understand the process a little better, try putting together some ‘Stepwords.’

“Stepwords are pairs of words of equal length which can be changed from one to the other by switching one letter at a time and forming a new word with each letter switch. For example, change black to white by forming these words: black, slack, stack, stalk, stale, shale, whale, while, white. Make certain the words you choose can be changed (some can’t be). Some sample stepwords include dry-wet, heat-cold, east-west, poor-rich, sick-well” (Alma Heaton, The LDS Game Book, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1968], p. 152.)

Ideas:

1. If there are just a few youth, use a chalkboard or dry-erase board and see how many sets of words you can figure out. See if there are different ways to get from dry to wet, or sick to well. Let your youth come up with their own step words and see if you can make them work.

2. If there are lots of youth, split up into teams and see who can finish eat set of words first.

3. You could make a big game of it. Trace a lot (and I do mean a lot!) of footprints. On each of these footprints you’ll start with one word, such as black, and will write the changes on the other footprints until you reach white. Write a few footprints that will take you down a wrong path. It might look like it’ll get you to your end goal, but will become a dead end.

Tape the footprints on the floor in a sort of maze and have the youth try the maze one step at a time (space the youth at least 30 seconds apart, or let them go in teams).

If you have a lot of room (like a gym or cultural hall), use several of the word sets. Once your youth get to the end of one (going from black to white) make the next footprint the beginning of another set.

Lesson Application:

As we make turn away from sin we need to replace bits of the bad habit with bits of good habits (like changing the word one letter at a time). For example, say you have a huge problem with swearing. You could start off by changing the words you use. Make up nonsense words like ‘smag’ to replace the bad word. Begin singing a hymn whenever you feel the urge to swear. As you do this you’ll recognize what situations create that urge, and you can begin to avoid them.

Sometimes we think we have our goal in sight and we’re on the right path, but wind up hitting a dead end. Instead of becoming frustrated, angry, and resentful, we need to learn to turn around, backtrack to where we went wrong, and then start on the right path. We might need to do this several times before we finally make it to our goal.

Other times we might have different choices of how to get to our goal, and each of them will help us make it. Just as we are all different, the path we take may be different than the one our friends will take. We have to do what’s best for our own personalities and ways of living.

End with one more scripture. This one is taken from the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. I believe it brings Isaiah’s message into better light.

“For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have” (2 Nephi 28:30).

I’ve been fairly weepy the last few weeks (though I heartily exclaim there is no coincidence with my kids being off-track at the same time). It feels something like being two seconds away from bursting into tears at any moment. The littlest thing, whether it’s a tender or a frustrating moment, will set me off.

This happens to me several times throughout the year, in particular when I’m feeling a little lost as to my purpose in this life and what it is God truly wants for me. More often than not several new forks have been placed in my road and I simply don’t know which one to choose. Or, rather, which one God would have me choose.

Does this sound at all familiar? Perhaps, as teens, you thought the choices would get easier once you ‘grew up,’ got a job, had a family, all those things you’re taught to do. It isn’t. If anything the choices get a bit harder, in particular because time begins to fly by so much faster, and you realize just how important making the right choice becomes.

Even still, sometimes you can be making all the right choices and still feel a bit lost. There is a particular hymn I always turn to whenever life becomes a little too hard to bear, called "Count Your Blessings."

When upon life’s billows you re tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your blessings; See what God hath done.
Count your blessings; Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; See what God hath done.
~Text: Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1856-1922

I have come to learn one of the best things we can do when we are feeling most lost is to take stock of our blessings. Perhaps at times these blessings may seem small, and far too insignificant compared to our trials and tribulations. I can testify to one good thing that comes of counting your blessings: recalling the good things in your life can bring about a wonderful change of attitude.

I have some remarkably kind children who have a sincere desire to choose the right. My husband is a good and kind man, who always thinks of others before himself. I have parents who raised me in the ways of the Lord. I have been given many dear friends over the years who have become vital parts of my heart. I have been raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of which I have a firm testimony of it being Christ’s restored church. I have been blessed with many wonderful gifts, which have brought me much happiness and have enabled me to serve others. Being able to serve others brings me such joy.

The funny thing is, this is just a starting point. Once you start listing the good things in your life, you might be surprised to find there are many more blessings you had never realized before. If you, like me, are feeling a little lost, take a moment to count your blessings.

“Nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours. And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious” (Doctrine and Covenants 78:18-19).

My children hear it from me almost every day. The teen girls I teach at church hear it from me several times in one lesson. For those who have stuck with me these last several months in reading my posts you’ve seen the words more than once.

If there were a sign or phrase to be attached to my life it would be this:

We always have a choice.

In every situation, even those that seem to take away our physical freedoms, there is a choice to be made. This choice may not be the same for every person even in a similar experience. However the end result, that goal we are all working towards, is the same for each and every one of us and depends greatly on our choices. I am talking, of course, of eternal life.

In the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, one of the scripture mastery verses revolved around this very idea.

“Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27).

Think for a moment about holding a can of alcohol in your hand. Attached to the can is little string. This little string could be easily cut or even broken if you wanted, but you’re not worried.

Now imagine this string is being wound around and around you. You don’t really notice because you’re having too much fun drinking. Pretty soon the alcohol is gone and obviously nothing horrible has happened. There’s just a little string around you, and you can cut it off at any time. So you ask for another drink.

This one has a thicker rope attached, but you don’t worry. After all nothing bad happened with the string, and a rope can also be cut. So you drink, and the rope is wrapped around and around. Sure the rope’s a little heavy, but you don’t mind. You can still move your arms. So you ask for another drink.

This one comes with a really thick rope. You’re a little concerned, but other than being a little tied up, you can’t see that the thick rope might hurt you. So you continue to drink and watch as the thick rope is wrapped tightly around. The weight is becoming harder to bear, but another drink should solve that, right?

Unfortunately this one comes with a chain attached. At this point you don’t really notice, though. You're just having a good time drinking, and the more alcohol consumed the less you notice how heavy you feel. It doesn’t really matter anymore. Drinking a little beer hasn’t hurt you one bit, right?

Satan wants us tied down to things that will make us miserable. One of his greatest tricks is in making all our wrong choices seem harmless. In reality we are placing giant ropes and chains around us, placing us in bondage. Sin weighs us down, suffocates us, until all hope of being free is crushed. It is not, however, the loss of all hope.

We can still choose the way of eternal life, through our Savior Jesus Christ. Because of His sacrifices we can repent and become free. With Christ's help we can take off the chains, ropes and strings that bind us. We can rid ourselves of sin to stand clean once again.

We can choose to be free.

I find it extraordinary when God takes two people, who might not have met otherwise, and places them together.

My husband forgot his wallet one morning. This event alone has never happened before, so already the day seemed quite unusual. The kids and I headed downtown to deliver the wallet. Around the outskirts of Temple Square, a block that holds one of the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed the Mormons), one can see several panhandlers all looking for a monetary handout. It’s been years since I’ve carried any cash with me, and so I usually just try to greet them with a smile.

One particular woman approached me and asked for money. . . change. . . anything I might have to spare. I hated to tell her I honestly didn't have anything. Her face absolutely crumpled. At that moment I stopped. I couldn’t help myself. I reached out and took her in my arms. She was desperately hoping to find enough money to take her kids somewhere to sleep that night. I expressed my wish to help, but that I simply didn't carry money with me. It was hard to walk away, even with her reassurances that everything was fine.

There are ATM's in the building where my husband works, and I took out some money. I simply couldn't get her out of my head. We visited with Daddy for a few minutes and headed back out to the car. I prayed I would see her on the way. Sure enough, she was right where we'd left her. As I handed her the money, what little we could afford, I couldn't resist and once again gave her a hug. She began to cry, and then said something I don't think I'll ever forget.

"Thank you," she said. "Most of all thank you for seeing me. Most people won't even look."

I asked for her name, wondering when the last time someone had used it in love. Samantha. Isn't that beautiful. I told Samantha I'm so glad I got to meet her today, and I am. I think God put the two of us together that day for a reason.

This post is by no means encouraging you to go around finding those who are homeless and giving them money. Instead I'd ask you to take a moment to think about all the youth who have struck out in horrible ways in recent years, most often because of how they have been treated by those around them. How many of those teens had the same hopeless, helpless attitude? How many felt as though it had been so long since someone really looked at them, asked their name, and spoke it in love?

We may not be able to control the actions of those around us, but we can control ourselves. Because I stopped and listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit that day, I will never be able to hear the name Samantha without thinking of a mother just trying her best in horrible circumstances to take care of her family. It's hard to say what little influence I might have had on her, but she is now imprinted upon my heart. I am the one who came away blessed.

Take a moment and really look at those around you, and ask the Lord to guide you to someone who just needs to be seen today.

Have you ever woken up in the morning with a song going through your head? I certainly have, probably hundreds of times over the years, and have never really thought anything about it. . . until I attended a workshop several weeks ago.

In this workshop the teacher said to pay attention to the song going through your head, especially when it’s a hymn. Write the words down in your journal. Look up scripture verses that apply to the song. You never know what message God wants you to hold in your heart that day.

Today was the first time it’s happened to me since the workshop. The hymn is called, “Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah.” Sounds like something heavy to wake up to, doesn’t it? Let’s take a moment to go over the words.

Guide us, O thou great Jehovah,
Guide us to the promised land.
We are weak, but thou art able;
Hold us with thy pow’rful hand.
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
Feed us till the Savior comes.

Open, Jesus, Zion’s fountains;
Let her richest blessings come.
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Guard us to this holy home.
Great Redeemer, Great Redeemer,
Bring, oh, bring the welcome day!

When the earth begins to tremble,
Bid our fearful thoughts be still;
When thy judgments spread destruction,
Keep us safe on Zion’s hill,
Singing praises, Singing praises,
Songs of glory unto thee.
~ William Williams, 1717-1791

One of the things I love best about the LDS Hymnbook, put out by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (nicknamed the Mormon Church), is that there are scriptural verses included pertaining to the particular song. For this one there are two. We can find the first verse in the Old Testament.

“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people” (Exodus 13:21-22).

Moses led the Israelites to a land promised to the Lord’s people. The Lord gave them guidance and protection by day as pillar of cloud, and by night a pillar of fire. Can you imagine how much easier it would be to follow the Lord if we had a towering cloud to follow during the day and a tower of fire at night? The truth is, we can, though not in the literal sense. This is where the second scripture verse helps us understand.

“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day" (D&C 45:57).

This song and these scripture verses may mean something completely different to you than they do to me. As this song was in my head this morning, I need to think for a moment on how they must apply to my own life. The meaning that pops out for my personally is that we have to take the Holy Spirit for our guide. It has to be a choice, and a daily one. We can only do this by making correct choices in all aspects of our lives. If I do this, I will not be deceived when wicked choices and temptations are brought before me. It will be interesting to see how this will influence my life today.

The next time you wake up with a song going through your head, especially if it’s a hymn, take a moment to write down the words and see what message the Lord has waiting for you.

It’s always a little scary to do something you haven’t done before. During my senior year I still had to finish my gym requirements, and opted to take half a year of weight training. If I had known just how much I’d love the experience, I would have signed up for the last half of the year as well.

Our class would meet in the girls weight room, where those of us who were serious about it would begin training (there were some from the volleyball team who didn’t do a whole lot – and sadly didn’t need to as our teacher was their coach). We wouldn’t push ourselves too hard at first, as our muscles needed a chance to get used to the new motions. Often I’d come out of class sore, but soon enough I began to see a difference in my body as muscles began to build up.

During the weeks I found a pace I liked, thinking I was doing really well at the weights I was at. Then one of my classmates, who didn’t speak a whole lot of English, came over and started encouraging me to put just a little more weight on…the machines. Not on me.

“You don’t get stronger if you don’t try,” she said. So I tried. By the end of the semester I had pushed myself to lift almost 40 pounds more on many of the machines.

The same can be said of our spiritual muscles. If we don’t work them out, or if we stick with the same old routine day after day, week after week, we won’t get stronger. In fact, we may find ourselves growing weaker.

Trying something new isn’t always easy. My sister-in-law told me about playing singles for the girls’ tennis team in high school. Her coach, who she thoroughly hated, was always telling her to get out of her comfort zone.

As she puts it: “I had no idea what he meant by that and thought he was just nuts, until one day he actually explained it to me. He was trying to help me develop my game by pushing me to work harder so I could become a stronger player.”

In other words, he was trying to get her to break out of the same old routine. She continues: “When we’re pushed out of our spiritual comfort zones we can grow spiritually, strengthen our testimony, and gain experiences that not only help us and benefit us after this life but will benefit those around us as well, as they learn from our experiences.”

So the next time an opportunity to break free of your spiritual comfort zone appears, take it. You never know who might be blessed because of it (besides yourselves).

As a youth one of my favorite pastimes was picking up my favorite book (of the moment), heading outside to our front porch, and delving into a fascinating story. I loved to travel through different times, worlds, or histories. A part of me could step into the shoes of the main character, and I found myself experiencing similar excitements, disappointments, and other emotions.

I’ve never lost that love of reading, and can sometimes devour a book in just one day.

The written word is so valuable, so precious it has been around since the beginning of mankind. Records passed down from generation to generation, treasured above many things. Since the invention of the printing press the written word has been accessible to the masses, meaning us. We have access to literature of all sorts. This does not mean, however, that we should read everything to pass under our noses.

Three different times in the Doctrine and Covenants we are given guidance on the types of books we should read.

“…Yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom…” D&C 88:118

“…Become acquainted with all good books…” D&C 90:15

“And do thou grant, Holy Father, that all those who shall worship in this house may be taught words of wisdom out of the best books…” D&C 109:14

How do we know what books are considered the “best books”?

Think of the 13th Article of Faith. Look for things that are virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy. How do the books make you feel as you read them? If you were to watch what you’re reading, would it be appropriate?

Youth of today are remarkably lucky. There are so many LDS authors out there who are able to write with these things in mind. So many books are now available that are entertaining as well as clean.

Today, November 3rd, is National Book Lover’s Day. Take some time out today and pick up your favorite book. Whether it was one from your childhood or a new favorite, take twenty minutes or so and read. If your favorite is not around, head off to the library and discover something new.

Might I also suggest taking some time out for our most important books: the scriptures. Think of some of your favorite Bible and Book of Mormon stories. Read them again. Rediscover what it is about them that touches your heart. They are truly our most precious works.

No matter what you decide to read, have a good time doing it. Exploring a book is more than just having a good time. With each book we learn something new about other places and people. In the process, we can learn something new about ourselves.

Spencer W. Kimball, former president of the LDS (Mormon) Church, once told about a huge tidal wave that hit Hilo, Hawaii back in 1946. At times the water rose to over forty feet high. The destruction was devastating.

"Homes had been overturned and shredded, crushed into splinters like toothpicks; fences and gardens were obliterated; bridges and roads were washed away…. Where one of our little chapels had stood, nothing remained but the foundation. More than a hundred people lost their lives; as many more were injured; thousands were left homeless…. One woman told how she received a telephone message from friends to get out and to leave – that a tidal wave was coming. She looked out to sea and saw the monstrous wave approaching, like a mountain. She and her husband picked up the baby and ran for their lives up the hill. However, two of their little girls were away from home playing near a clump of lauhala trees. They saw the wave coming, ran into the trees, and held tightly with their arms around the trunks. The first gigantic wave washed entirely over them, but they held their breath and clung with all their might until the water receded and their heads were again above water. When the wave receded, they quickly ran up the hill before the succeeding waves came. Together, the family watched from the safety of the hill as their home disappeared under the pounding of the waves." (Spencer W. Kimball, “Hold Fast to the Iron Rod,” Ensign, Nov 1978, 4)

The youth of today are daily attacked by Satan’s damaging forces. Wave after wave of temptations constantly crash against the walls of righteousness parents and leaders have helped to build in order to protect these precious children of God.

President Kimball continues:

"We, too, are faced with powerful, destructive forces unleashed by the adversary. Waves of sin, wickedness, immorality, degradation, tyranny, deceitfulness, conspiracy, and dishonesty threaten all of us. They come with great power and speed and will destroy us if we are not watchful."

We must be ever vigilant in keeping sin at bay. It seems easier when the choices are small: not watching PG-13 movies when we’re not yet thirteen, keeping our speech and dress modest, obeying the Word of Wisdom, etc. If we are constant in making good choices, when we find ourselves hit with the big temptations we can be like the young girls who held tight to the trees, and find ourselves strong enough to hold tight to righteousness.

Satan knows enough not to lure us with the big things right away. He’ll start with something small, something to catch our attention. It could start with a friend daring us to take one little sip of alcohol. It might be the thought of dating a few days before our sixteenth birthday. Perhaps we’ve been invited to a party where a few kids might be doing drugs. We won’t participate, of course, but we have knowingly placed ourselves in proximity of temptation.

Friends are one of Satan’s greatest tools. He knows when the weaker friend is swayed he or she can become a big influence on the strong. Instead of holding tight to our friends (for they are just as human and therefore just as imperfect as we are), we must look to steadier trees upon which we can hold: our parents, church leaders, the priesthood, scriptures, prophets, prayer, and the Lord, just to name a few.

In an ever-changing world we will find those who do not believe as we do poking fun at our standards. Let them. These standards may seem out of date, but they will keep us much happier than we would be if we followed the way of the world.

President Kimball said:

"The Lord holds forth a glorious promise to those who love him and demonstrate this love by faithful, devoted service and the living of his eternal principles. When the winds of change blow fiercely and the waves sweep over us, we have a tree or rod of principle to which we can cling for safety. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ which has been restored to the earth in its fullness."

Hold tight to things you are taught at church. Be assured that when life gets stormy, the gospel is what will keep you anchored.

Now that you know you can receive revelation, how do you recognize it when it happens? Like listening for one person’s voice in a crowded and noisy room, our ability to hear the whisperings of the Spirit can often be difficult. What form does revelation usually take?

In Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9 we read:

"Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.

"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

"But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."

Basically it means if you’ve studied your question out in your mind and have come to your Heavenly Father for an answer, you’ll get one of two.

If the answer is right or good, you shall receive a burning in your bosom. In other words, you’ll feel at peace about it. This feeling may come in a small and quiet manner, or it may come in an enormous fashion.

At seventeen I prayed about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had been raised in this religion, had been baptized when I turned eight, and finally felt ready to find my own testimony. As I prayed, the powerful feeling that came over me left me dizzy; it was extraordinary. I’d never truly felt anything like it in my life. Ever since that day I’ve never doubted this is Christ’s church.

What if our answer is not right or good? This is when we receive that stupor of thought. Do you know what ‘stupor’ means? Some similar words might include unconscious, indifferent, coma, trance, or apathy. Basically this means the thought is wiped clean from our minds. We will forget it, or find ourselves not really caring anymore.

Over a year ago I received an opportunity to participate in a writing class. This class would allow me the chance to work with a teacher one-on-one. Unfortunately the class was also over $300, well beyond our means. So my husband and I began to pray about it, and I specifically asked that if it was not right for the desire to be taken from me – and it was. I was grateful, and not really all that disappointed.

Imagine my surprise when the funds for the class were given to us through a family member. Heavenly Father allowed me the chance to take this class, for which I am so very grateful. He just answered my prayer in a way I wasn’t expecting.

There are times when we’ll receive a revelation, but as time goes on the way we perceived the experience might be clouded and doubts will set in.

In Doctrine and Covenants 6:22-23 we read:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

"Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?"

President Marion G. Romney said:

"When confronted with a problem I prayerfully weigh in my mind alternative solutions and come to a conclusion as to which of them is best. Then in prayer I submit to the Lord my problem, tell him I desire to make the right choice, what is, in my judgment, the right course. Then I ask him if I have made the right decision to give me the burning in my bosom that He promised Oliver Cowdery. When enlightenment and peace come into my mind, I know the Lord is saying yes. If I have a ‘stupor of thought’, I know he is saying no, and I try again following the same procedure.

"In conclusion, I repeat: I know when and how the Lord answers my prayers by the way I feel."

If you forget most everything else about this article I ask you to remember this: Each baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the right to the gift of the Holy Ghost. Each of you has that right. To receive that gift, you must be living in harmony with God’s laws and earnestly seeking to know His will. Under these conditions you have the right to expect the Holy Ghost to be with you. All of us here are entitled to guidance from the Holy Ghost.

One last scripture. In Moroni 10:4-5 we read:

"And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

This scripture must be used for more than knowing if the Book of Mormon came from God, or if the LDS Church is true. Use this scripture in your lives, in any thing you desire to know. It is so vastly important to seek the power of the Holy Ghost in your lives. Through this power you can stay close to the Lord and eventually live with him again.

"Prayer is the means by which man communicates with God. Revelation is the means by which God communicates with man."

Who is entitled to revelation? I’m here to tell you all of us are. In fact, Bruce R. McConkie (one of the General Authorities of the Mormon Church) stated it beautifully:

"Now I say that we are entitled to revelation. I say that every member of the [LDS] Church, independent and irrespective of any position that he may hold, is entitled to get revelation from the Holy Ghost; he is entitled to entertain angels; he is entitled to view the visions of eternity; and if we would like to go the full measure, he is entitled to see God the same way that any prophet in literal and actual reality has seen the face of Diety." (Italics added)

If we so desired, we could see angels; we could view the visions of eternity; we could even see God – but only if God deems it necessary. What we want in the moment and what God knows we need may be two separate things. I want to stress the word ‘entitled’. We don’t have the right to demand anything. This gift is just that – a gift. A blessing from our Lord.

There are several different ways we are given revelation:

1. Direct vision or visit
2. Direct word of God or angels
3. Special instruments such as the Urim and Thummim, Liahona
4. Dreams
5. Holy Ghost

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator.”

We are all entitled to personal revelation. Daily we find ourselves in need of recognizing the Lord’s will, and revelation is how we can know. We can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. I want to emphasize can, not will. Making wrong choices will limit the Spirit’s ability to fulfill his responsibility as a revelator. When we make correct choices, this Spirit will gently inspire us and guide us to truth.

Elder Boyd K. Packer, one of our church’s leaders, offered the following insight on how we can gain spiritual knowledge:

We should not "expect revelation to replace the spiritual or temporal intelligence which we have already received – only to extend it. We must go about our life in an ordinary workaday way, following the routines and rules and regulations that govern life.

"Rules and regulations and commandments are valuable protection. Should we stand in need of revealed instruction to alter our course, it will be waiting along the way as we arrive at the point of need."

We must prepare to receive revelation, and can do so by:

1. Having a desire and seeking for help.
2. Having faith.
3. Studying it out in our minds and reaching a tentative decision.
4. Counseling with the Lord and asking if our decisions are correct.
5. Being in tune with the Lord and recognizing the answer.

I fully recognize there will be times when taking every one of these steps is pretty well impossible; a decision must be made in the moment. I will testify of this – if we are living our lives in such a manner that the Holy Spirit is unable to reside within us, our ability to know the right thing to do in that moment will be severely limited. If we desire the ability to make right choices in times of pressure, of haste, or of danger, we must live in such a way that the Holy Spirit’s influence can be easily recognized.

I testify to you that the youth, especially the youth, are entitled to personal revelation. After all, our Heavenly Father and His son visited a fourteen-year old boy when he asked which church to join. Live in such a way that you, too, might be worthy to receive such a blessing.

As someone recently wrote on an online bulletin board I frequent, “Everyone thinks their church is the true church.” For those of us who have been members of the LDS Church for many years, this is something we have certainly been taught.

So what sets the LDS Church above all others? How can you, as the youth of this church, explain this question in a way others can easily comprehend?

One of the most fantastic visual lessons I’ve seen that aptly described what happened to the church Christ organized all those years ago, was actually given during a Relief Society lesson, though it truly applies to everyone.

Our teacher, Sister Burwell, had a bunch of plastic cups turned upside down, each with a small portion of what makes up the gospel written on it. One had ‘The Sacrament’. On another was written ‘Baptism by Immersion.’ Others were ‘Missionary Work,’ ‘Revelation,’ ‘Priesthood,’ and so on. Sister Burwell then took the cups and built a tower, with the cup labeled ‘Jesus Christ’ placed on the bottom row right in the middle.

She went on to explain what would happen after Christ and his apostles died by taking the cup labeled ‘Jesus Christ’ out of the tower. As you can imagine all the cups came tumbling down. Once Jesus was taken out of the foundation, the church fell.

This is when a lot of varying churches popped up. Sister Burwell began to take two or three cups at a time to build ‘mini-towers.’

“A lot of the churches would pick certain things about Christ's gospel and put them together to make their own church. One might include the Priesthood, the Sacrament, and Sunday worship. Another church might have put together the Sacrament, good works, and baptism by immersion.”

All these churches held specific portions of Christ’s original church, so all of them do contain truth. Over the years some of these truths may have been tweaked. For example: baptizing infants with a sprinkling of water on their heads, as opposed to baptism by immersion as Christ himself showed us.

Therein lies the difference between the LDS Church and all other churches. Perhaps, instead of thinking of ourselves as Christ’s true Church, we can think of ourselves as the Church with the whole truth.

In an extraordinary book by noted LDS authors Blaine and Brenton Yorgason called ‘The Greatest Quest,’ we are led on a journey of discovery (based on a true story) with a small group of college friends. This group decided to examine the New Testament, searching for biblical evidences (or actual points) of Christ’s true church. They were compiling quite a list when World War II separated them. Imagine their surprise when, meeting again years later, they discovered all their points (eventually numbering up to forty-two) were met in one particular church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Throughout your lives you will be met with many other religions who claim to be the true church of Christ. Don't forget they do in fact hold some of the truths and consequently deserve your respect. Never ever forget, though, that the LDS Church is the only one in the world that contains the whole truth.

I was terribly shy in high school, always afraid of saying something wrong or making a fool of myself. Only my closest of friends knew how silly and lively I could be (I’d like to add vivacious and dynamic…witty…a snappy dresser…um, where was I? Oh yeah.). Only around them would I let my guard down.

Ninth grade gym had to have been my most hated class, though not for the reasons you might think. Of course I hated dressing in front of everyone, and the activities were nothing short of torture cleverly disguised as volleyballs or dodgeball, but underlying all this was a distinct dislike between two sets of girls in the class.

One set entailed the popular girls who, as I’m certain you’ve met some yourselves, you can’t quite figure out why they’re popular. They’re parents had money, certainly, but the girls were not nice. One of them happened to be in my Mia Maid Class (girls 14-15) in Young Women, though no one would have known. She went out of her way to ignore my existence at school.

The other set contained girls whose soul purpose in class seemed to be irritating the first group. For the most part their antics didn’t affect anyone else, so like an ostrich avoiding trouble we buried our heads in the ground and tried to ignore what was going on.

One day as gym class was ending we found ourselves locked out of the changing room. Behind the doors we heard giggling and knew someone had done it on purpose. Unfortunately our teacher remained down below to put the equipment away. Some of my class members pleaded with whoever was inside to open the doors.

Minutes began to tick away. Ingrained inside me practically from birth was a need to be early to everything, so as I watched the minute hand move closer and closer to the bell, signaling the end of class, my stomach knotted up.

Finally someone went to get our teacher. As I looked around it became obvious to me who was twittering behind the locker room doors: those who wanted to cause the popular girls a little trouble. The realization set my anger simmering. They’d crossed a line this time. My line.

Our teacher arrived and unlocked the doors, giving the troublemakers a good talking to. It didn’t seem to make a lasting impression. They happened to change clothes in the same area I did, and for several seconds I listened as they laughed and joked about their little stunt.

Though I am a redhead, I have never been known for my temper. It takes a lot to make me truly angry. That day, those girls managed to make me truly angry.

As I pulled out my backpack my temper go the better of me. I rounded on the small group and yelled, at the top of my voice, "What did I do to you?"

They turned, eyes wide and mouths opened.

"What did I do to you?" I yelled again. "Did I make you mad at me? Was I rude? Tell me, please, what I did to make you want to hurt me like this."

The locker room quieted, faces appeared around the corners to see what was going on. I hardly saw them – my focus was entirely on those four girls. I didn’t turn away, my indignation demanding an answer. One of the girls stammered, "N-n-nothing. It wasn’t you."

I didn’t feel that was a good enough response. I was going to be late for class and someone needed to answer for that.

"So because you can’t stand them," I said, pointing to the very girls who blatantly refused to acknowledge my presence, "I have to pay for it. Well thanks a lot."

After that I stormed out of the room.

Are you impressed I remembered our conversation so well? The entire experience upset me so much I had to write it down later when I got home. In fact, over a week later, I felt awful. Don’t get me wrong. I was still upset with both groups of girls involved. I realized, however, I shouldn’t have let my anger get the better of me.

Anger is a dangerous thing. Elder ElRay L. Christiansen of the Quorum of the Seventy wrote of this danger in 'Be Slow to Anger': "To make decisions while infuriated is as unwise and foolish as it is for a caption to put out to sea in a raging storm. Only injury and wreckage result from wrathful moments."

Have you ever lost your temper, said or done things you later regret? What remained? Only injury and wreckage. Yet there is hope. If we can humble ourselves enough to ask for forgiveness, repairs can be made. There will always be a scar left behind to remember our actions, though.

To this day I continue to work hard to control my anger. The threat of a blowup like the one I had that day remains slow to come, but I am now aware it resides within me. I watch myself much more closely when I feel as though I’m being trespassed upon. It’s been a difficult lesson to learn, but I realize others may be mean, rude, and insensitive, but I don’t have to be. I always have a choice.

As can be expected, it took a while for things to get back to normal in class. I’d love to say I went to the four girls and asked for forgiveness for losing my temper. There were moments I wanted to. Unfortunately fear got the better of me. It would be even lovelier to report they came to me and apologized, but they didn’t.

Regret is not fun to live with. To this day, several years later, I wish I had at least tried a little harder to be a little slower with my anger.