Dear brothers and sisters, it is my great pleasure
to welcome you to this worldwide youth devotional with President
Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson.
We are speaking to you from the Conference Center on Temple
Square in Salt Lake City.
Youth around the world, along with their parents and leaders,
are watching.
Wherever you are and however you may have joined us,
we are glad that you are here for this historic occasion.
You will be richly blessed for your desires
to hear the word of the Lord to you through His chosen servant.
In addition to President and Sister Nelson,
we are blessed to have the Presiding Bishopric seated
on the stand, along with members of the Young Women,
Young Men, and Sunday School General Presidencies.
President Nelson, our prophet and President of the Church,
presides at this meeting.
He has asked that I, Elder Christofferson
of the Quorum of the Twelve, introduce tonight's program.
Music for this devotional will be
provided by a combined seminary choir from the Ogden,
Utah, area, under the direction of Brothers Alan Saunders
and Jaron Packer, with Sisters Bonnie Goodliffe and Linda
Margetts at the organ.
We will begin with an opening song, "We Thank Thee, O God,
for a Prophet," sung by the combined seminary choir.
After the song, Brother Clark Lind,
a priest from the Highland Utah South Stake,
will give the opening prayer.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Our dear, kind, and gracious Heavenly Father,
we are so thankful for the wonderful opportunity which
we have to participate in this devotional with youth
around the world and to hear the messages of President
and Sister Nelson.
We are so thankful for the youth of this Church
and for all that they do, and we are
so thankful for their efforts in striving
to live the gospel every day of their lives.
And we ask that they may protect themselves
against the temptations of the adversary.
And we are so thankful for their amazing examples
to each and every one of their peers and friends.
We ask that the Spirit be present in this meeting
and that it may testify of the truth of the messages that
will be spoken here.
We also ask that we may have our hearts opened
and that we may receive the messages of love.
We would also like to express our gratitude and thankfulness
to President and Sister Nelson for giving
their life to this Church.
And we are so thankful for the infinite Atonement of Thy Son
and are so thankful that we can use this Atonement every day
of our lives to improve ourselves and better ourselves.
And we are so thankful for all the blessings
that each and every one of us have.
And please bless that we can use these blessings to help others.
And we say these things in the name of Thy Beloved
Son, Jesus Christ, amen.
Thank you.
The seminary choir will now sing "Our Prayer to Thee,"
a hymn that was written by President Nelson.
We will then be blessed to hear from both President Russell M.
Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson.
Following their messages, we will join together
and sing a closing song, which will be
announced by President Nelson.
Sister Annie Haws, a Mia Maid from the Lehi Utah North Stake,
will then offer our closing prayer.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Words are inadequate to express our gratitude
to that seminary choir.
My goodness, you did that well.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
As I look at this Conference Center filled
with beautiful Latter-day Saints,
I feel like I've finally got the large family I was hoping for.
[LAUGHTER]
There's 22,000 of you here tonight.
I don't know how many more thousands there
are who are getting these services by indirect means.
Sister Nelson and I are really overjoyed
to be with you tonight.
We love being with you, the youth of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints and their teachers
and parents and taxi drivers.
We wish we could hear from each one of you
about your experiences in preparing
for our worldwide gathering as you read daily
from the Book of Mormon and as you prayed to hear what
the Lord is eager to teach you.
Again, I express our thanks for the seminary choir singing
that opening hymn with such feeling,
and your congregational hymn, "We Thank Thee, O God,
for a Prophet."
Well, we sang in spirit anyway.
Those words turned our hearts to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
How indebted we are to him!
He is the prophet of this last dispensation!
Just imagine!
He was your age when he was inspired
by the words of the Apostle James: "If any of you
lack wisdom, let him ask of God."
Those words compelled young Joseph to go
to a nearby grove of trees, where
he poured out his heart to God.
And the heavens opened!
Joseph saw the Father and the Son
and learned for himself where to go
for answers to his questions.
Now I plead with each of you to do as the teenaged Joseph did.
Take your questions directly to your Heavenly Father in prayer.
Ask Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, to guide you.
You can learn for yourself--right now
at your age--how to receive personal revelation.
And nothing will make a bigger difference in your life
than that!
I promise you--not the person sitting next to you,
but you--that wherever you are in the world,
wherever you are on the covenant path--even if, at this moment,
you are not centered on the path--I promise you that if you
will sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed
to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how
to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost,
you will have all the direction you will ever need
in your life.
You will be given answers to your questions in the Lord's
own way and in His own time.
And don't forget the counsel of your parents and Church
leaders.
They are also seeking revelation in your behalf.
When you know that your life is being directed by God,
regardless of the challenges and disappointments
that may and will come, you will feel joy and peace.
Now, we would like to talk with you about the greatest
challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth.
And we want to invite you to be part of it!
I've asked Sister Wendy Nelson to provide some context
for that important message.
Please, Sister Nelson.
My dear brothers and sisters, whom we love and believe in,
I'd like to begin by telling you what my husband and I saw
one day as we drove through the hills of Utah
on an all-terrain vehicle.
It was a beautiful autumn day.
We loved being among trees that were golden and gorgeous, tall
and straight, all reaching to heaven.
And then we turned a corner, and I saw a tree
that reminded me of me and how I often feel in many situations.
Do you know that feeling?
You look around, and everyone else
is tall and straight and reaching to heaven,
so to speak.
They have everything figured out.
They wear the perfect clothes, always seem to say the right
things, have no problems, are perfectly obedient--and seem
never to have made a mistake in their lives.
And then, well, there's you and me!
My dear brothers and sisters, it's time
to stop comparing ourselves with others.
It's time to put away those erroneous views of ourselves
and others.
The truth is, we are not as hopelessly flawed as we may
think, and others are not as perfect as they may appear--all
except, of course, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The only thing that matters, really matters,
is that you and I are doing exactly what we committed--even
covenanted--premortally with our Heavenly Father we would do
while we are here on earth.
So let me ask you a question: What were you born to do?
How I wish you could watch a 10-minute video
of your premortal life on YouTube.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that if you
could gaze into heaven for five minutes,
you would know more on a topic than
if you studied it all of your life.
So just imagine if you could gaze for 10
minutes at your premortal life.
Of course we realize that the Lord has wisely drawn
a veil over those memories.
But just for a moment, imagine the effect on your life
right now if you were permitted to watch 10
minutes of your premortal life.
I believe if you could see yourself living with
your Heavenly Parents, with Jesus Christ;
if you could observe what you did premortally and see
yourself making commitments--even
covenants--with others, including your mentors
and teachers; if you could see yourself courageously
responding to attacks on truth and valiantly standing up
for Jesus Christ, I believe that every one of you would have
the increased power, increased commitment,
and eternal perspective to help you overcome any and all
of your confusion, doubts, struggles, and problems.
All of them!
I believe if you could remember who you said you would help
while you are here on earth, or what anguishing experiences you
agreed to go through, that whatever really tough situation
you are presently in--or will be in--you would say, "Oh,
now I remember.
Now I understand.
This difficult situation makes sense to me now.
With the Lord's help I can do this!"
Now, here's another thing I invite you to think about.
I like to imagine that each of us
came to earth with a scroll attached
to our spirits entitled "Things to Do While on Earth."
Let's talk about what might be on that scroll.
Let's talk about five of the things surely written
on your scroll according to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
First, you came to receive a mortal body.
And that, my friends, is a really big deal.
Second, you came to be tested.
By the way, have you noticed that our testing often
involves learning to control our bodies' appetites
and passions, which can sometimes get way out
of control?
If you are presently struggling with the residual effects
of any kind of addiction or of major unrepented sin,
I urge you to unburden yourself by talking with your bishop
today.
He holds priesthood keys that can help you.
A third thing to do while on earth:
choose to follow Jesus Christ and stand up for Him,
just as you did premortally.
Fourth: Choose to repent daily and partake
of the sacrament weekly.
As you do, you will be spiritually healed,
strengthened, and magnified and ultimately
sanctified and exalted through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Now, here is a fifth item on your list:
Find and fulfill your mortal missions.
My dear friends, premortally you and I
were each given wonderful missions
to fulfill while we are here on earth.
We have opportunities to fulfill our mortal missions,
but we don't have to.
No one will make us.
We have our agency to choose how we spend our time and energy,
our talents and resources.
In fact, what we choose to do is actually part of our testing.
The choice is yours and mine.
Will we choose to do whatever it takes
to fulfill the wonderful missions for which we
were sent to earth?
While that question simmers in your mind,
let's shift and talk about why you are here
on earth at this particular time, which
is such a unique time in the history of the earth.
Why are you here on earth right now?
Why were you not born back in the 1880s?
Or 30 years from now?
Let me tell you of an experience that taught me firsthand
about the historic days in which we live.
We often talk about living in the latter days.
We are, after all, Latter-day Saints.
But perhaps these days are more "latter"
than we have ever imagined.
This truth became a reality for me
because of what I experienced during one 24-hour period
of time that commenced on June 15, 2013.
My husband and I were in Moscow, Russia.
While President Nelson met with priesthood leaders,
I had the privilege of meeting with nearly 100 of our sisters.
I love our Russian sisters.
They are spectacular!
When I stepped to the pulpit to speak,
I found myself saying something I'd never anticipated.
I said to the women, "I'd like to get to know you by lineage.
Please stand as the tribe of Israel
that represents the lineage declared
in your patriarchal blessing is spoken.
Benjamin."
A couple of women stood.
"Dan."
A couple more.
"Reuben."
A few more stood.
"Naphtali."
More stood.
As the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were
announced--from Asher to Zebulun--and as the women
stood, we were all amazed with what we were witnessing,
feeling, and learning.
How many of the twelve tribes of Israel
do you think were represented in that small gathering of fewer
than 100 women on that Saturday in Moscow?
Eleven!
Eleven of the twelve tribes of Israel
were represented in that one room!
The only tribe missing was that of Levi.
I was astonished.
It was a spiritually moving moment for me.
Immediately after those meetings,
my husband and I went directly to Yerevan, Armenia.
The first people we met as we got off the plane
were the mission president and his wife.
Somehow she had heard about this experience in Moscow,
and with great delight, she said, "I've got Levi!"
Just imagine our thrill when my husband and I
met their missionaries the next day,
including an elder from the tribe of Levi
who just happened to be from Gilbert, Arizona.
Now, when I was a little girl attending Primary in Raymond,
Alberta, Canada, I learned that in the last days--before
the Second Coming of the Savior--the twelve tribes
of Israel would be gathered.
That truth was thrilling to me and, at the same time, quite
overwhelming to wrap my mind around.
So imagine what it was like for me
to be with members of all twelve tribes of Israel
within one 24-hour period of time!
I have since learned that I probably should not
have asked those sisters to identify themselves
by lineage, because patriarchal blessings are sacred
and the lineage declared in them is personal.
Yet I am so grateful for the privilege I had
of seeing the fruits of the gathering of Israel firsthand.
The impact of that experience has never
diminished in my heart or mind.
My dear brothers and sisters, these
are indeed the latter days!
There has never been a time like this
in the history of this world.
Never!
Premortally, you and I committed to do a great work
while we are here on earth.
And with the Lord's help, we will do it!
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Thank you, Wendy.
I love you!
That's her pay.
Isn't she wonderful?
My dear young brothers and sisters,
these surely are the latter days,
and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel.
That gathering is the most important thing
taking place on earth today.
Nothing else compares in magnitude,
nothing else compares in importance, nothing else
compares in majesty.
And if you choose to, if you want to,
you can be a big part of it.
You can be a big part of something big, something grand,
something majestic!
When we speak of the gathering, we
are simply saying this fundamental truth:
Every one of our Heavenly Father's children,
on both sides of the veil, deserves
to hear the message of the restored
gospel of Jesus Christ.
They decide for themselves if they want to know more.
Those whose lineage is from the various tribes of Israel
are those whose hearts will most likely be turned to the Lord.
He said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them,
and they follow me."
Those who are of the house of Israel
will most easily recognize the Lord Jesus Christ
as their Savior and will desire to be gathered into His fold.
They will want to become members of His Church,
make covenants with Him and Heavenly Father,
and receive their essential ordinances.
The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith
that now, meaning our day, is the eleventh hour
and the last time that He will call laborers into His vineyard
for the express purpose of gathering
the elect from the four quarters of the earth.
My question tonight to every one of you
between the ages of 12 and 18 is this: Would you
like to be a big part of the greatest
challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth
today?
Would you like to help gather Israel
during these precious latter days?
Would you, who are the elect, be willing to help
find the elect who have not heard
the message of the restored gospel?
Would you like to be among those "swift messengers" of whom
the prophet Isaiah spoke?
Now, participating in the gathering of Israel
will require some sacrifice on your part.
It may even require some changes in your life.
It will definitely take some of your time and energy
and your God-given talents.
Are you interested?
Just think of the excitement and urgency of it
all: Every prophet commencing with Adam has seen our day.
And every prophet has talked about our day, when Israel
would be gathered and the world would
be prepared for the Second Coming of the Savior.
Think of it!
Of all the people who have ever lived on planet earth,
we are the ones who get to participate
in this final, great gathering event.
How exciting is that!
Our Heavenly Father has reserved many of His most noble
spirits--perhaps, I might say, His finest team--for this final
phase.
Those noble spirits--those finest players,
those heroes--are you!
I testify that the gathering is now, and it is real.
In the year I was born, the total membership of the Church
was less than 600,000 people, with no members
in South America.
Today there are more than 16 million members worldwide,
with nearly 3 million members in South America.
Let me tell you about an experience I had in 1979.
I was then serving as the General President of the Sunday
School.
I was invited to attend a meeting of Church leaders
at which the President of the Church, President Spencer W.
Kimball, spoke.
He charged us to pray that the doors of nations
would be opened so that the gospel of Jesus Christ
could be brought to all people on earth.
He specifically mentioned China and asked that we
pray for the people of China.
He also said, "We should be of service to the Chinese people.
We should learn their language.
We should pray for them and help them."
I returned home to my wife, Dantzel
(who passed away more than 13 years ago),
and said to her, "President Kimball asked us
in that meeting to learn Chinese!
And I did not hear him say, 'Everyone except Brother
Nelson.'
So would you be willing to study Mandarin Chinese with me?"
Of course, she agreed and we were tutored in Mandarin.
Six weeks after President Kimball's charge,
I was attending the annual meeting of the American
Association for Thoracic Surgery that was being
held in Boston, Massachusetts.
That morning I had prayed in my hotel room
for the people of China, just as President Kimball
had requested.
I went to the first meeting of the day and sat where I always
sat at these professional meetings--in the front
of the room.
As the meeting proceeded, however, I
became increasingly uncomfortable in my chair.
As the lights were turned down for a slide presentation,
I slipped out of my chair and walked quietly to the back
of the room--a place where I would usually never sit.
When the lights came up again, I found myself
sitting by a Chinese doctor.
He introduced himself as Professor Wu Ying-Kai
from Beijing, China!
After a pleasant conversation with him,
I extended an invitation for him to visit Salt Lake City
and give a lecture at the University of Utah Medical
School.
He gladly accepted and did exceptionally well.
Then he returned to China.
Not long thereafter, he invited me
to be a visiting professor of surgery at Shandong Medical
University in Jinan, China.
That led to subsequent invitations
for me to serve as a visiting professor at two more
universities in China.
These wonderful professional experiences--prior to my call
to the Twelve--climaxed when I was asked by Chinese surgeons
to perform an open-heart operation to save the life
of their most celebrated opera star.
That I did, and gratefully, that operation was a success.
It was, incidentally, the last one of my professional life.
For almost 40 years now, I have been praying
for the people of China.
I rejoice in my association with medical colleagues
and other dear friends in China.
What a joy it is for me now to be officially designated
as an "old friend of China"--underlining the word
"old," I guess.
It is my testimony that when we follow through
with whatever the prophet of God asks us to do,
the way will be opened and lives will be changed.
Now, I hope you are asking yourself,
"What can I, as a teenager, do to help gather Israel?"
Well, Sister Nelson and I asked that very question
and a few others to a group of youth
from the ages of 12 to 18, many of whom are here tonight.
We first asked, "What is the gathering of Israel?
And what does it mean to you?"
Their answers varied, but the majority
indicated they weren't quite sure what it was.
Tonight we want you to know that the gathering of Israel
ultimately means offering the gospel of Jesus Christ
to God's children on both sides of the veil--children who have
neither made crucial covenants with God nor received
their essential ordinances.
Every child of our Heavenly Father deserves the opportunity
to choose to follow Jesus Christ,
to accept and receive His gospel with all of its blessings--yes,
all the blessings that God promised to the lineage
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who, as you know,
is also known as Israel.
My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this
precise time--the most crucial time in the history
of the world--to help gather Israel.
There is nothing happening on this earth
right now that is more important than that.
There is nothing of greater consequence.
Absolutely nothing.
This gathering should mean everything to you.
This is the mission for which you were sent to earth.
So my question to you is "Are you
willing to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord
to help gather Israel?"
Please think about it.
Don't answer just yet.
Let's return to other questions Sister Nelson and I
asked our young friends.
We asked, "If the prophet invited every 12-
to 18-year-old person in the Church
to help enlist to gather Israel, what
would you be willing to do?"
The youth responded with inspiring comments
such as, "If the prophet invited us to enlist to help
gather Israel, I absolutely would take part in it."
Another said, "I would drop everything I'm doing and help!"
Another: "I would go and do whatever he asks me to do,
because the prophet is a preacher from God."
Their answers also included: "I would
be willing to do more family history work.
I would be more open and make a greater effort
to talk with others about the gospel.
I would be a good example in showing Christlike attributes.
I would do more baptisms for the dead,
change aspects of how I live my life and the choices I make,
travel anywhere he needs me to go, learn a new language,
meet new people, lend my copy of the Book of Mormon
to those who have never read it.
And I would be the very kindest person I can be."
We also asked these youth what they
would be willing to sacrifice so they could help gather Israel.
Again the youth thrilled us.
They responded: "I would spend less time in sports so I could
help a person in need of truth.
I would sacrifice hanging out with friends
and instead invite them to come to the temple.
I'd definitely cut down time on my phone.
I'd give up some screen time.
I'd [even] be willing to sacrifice Sunday afternoon
naps!"
We asked, "If you wanted to enlist to help gather Israel,
what would you want to start doing or stop doing?"
They responded with such answers as "I
would study the scriptures more, and more intently,
so I could answer questions people might ask me.
I would spend less time on social media;
be more engaged in doing simple acts of member
missionary work, including daily acts of service.
I would spend less time on my phone,
and when I am on my phone, I would
post scriptures or other spiritual messages
on social media.
I would study general conference talks
because they are super important.
I would eat healthy foods so I can stay fit.
I would stop thinking everything is about me."
Thank you, young brothers and sisters, for your answers
to our questions.
Think of this, my dear brothers and sisters.
Right now I am preparing for the day when I will be required
to give an accounting to the Prophet Joseph Smith,
to President Brigham Young, and the others--and ultimately
to the Lord--about my stewardship as God's prophet
upon the earth today.
I do not want to be asked, "Brother Nelson, why were you
not more clear with the youth about their part
in gathering Israel?
Why were you not more bold in enlisting them to participate?"
So now I am inviting every young woman and every young man
between the ages of 12 and 18 in The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord
to help gather Israel.
What will help you?
As you continue to read daily from the Book of Mormon,
you will learn the doctrine of the gathering,
truths about Jesus Christ, His Atonement,
and the fulness of His gospel not found in the Bible.
The Book of Mormon is central to the gathering of Israel.
In fact, if there were no Book of Mormon,
the promised gathering of Israel would not occur.
And now I invite you to prepare yourself by doing five more
things--five things that will change you and help you change
the world:
First, disengage from a constant reliance on social media
in order to decrease its worldly influence upon you.
Let me tell you about one young man your age,
the grandson of a dear friend of mine.
He is popular with his friends and a leader
in his high school.
Recently his parents found things
on his phone that were inappropriate for a follower
of Jesus Christ.
They insisted that he go off social media for a time.
They exchanged his smartphone for a flip phone,
and he panicked.
How would he stay connected with his friends?
Initially he was furious with his parents,
but after just a few days, he thanked them
for taking his smartphone away.
He said, "I feel free for the first time in a long time."
Now he calls his friends on his flip phone
to connect with them.
He actually talks with them instead of always texting!
What other changes have occurred in this young man's life?
He says he now loves being free from the fake life
that social media creates.
He is actively engaged in his life instead of having his head
in his phone all the time.
He participates in outdoor recreational activities
instead of playing video games.
He is more positive and helpful in his home.
He seeks opportunities to serve.
He listens better in church, has a brighter countenance,
is so much happier, and is actively
preparing for his mission!
All this because he took a break from the negative influence
of social media.
So my first invitation to you today
is to disengage from a constant reliance on social media
by holding a seven-day fast from social media.
I acknowledge that there are positives about social media.
But if you are paying more attention to feeds from social
media than you are to the whisperings of the Spirit,
then you are putting yourself at spiritual risk--as well
as the risk of experiencing intense loneliness
and depression.
You and I both know youth who have been influenced
through social media to do and say things that they never
would do or say in person.
Bullying is one example.
Another downside of social media is that it
creates a false reality.
Everyone posts their most fun, adventurous,
and exciting pictures, which create the erroneous impression
that everyone except you is leading a fun,
adventurous, and exciting life.
Much of what appears in your various social media feeds
is distorted if not fake.
So give yourself a seven-day break from fake!
Choose seven consecutive days and go for it!
See if you notice any difference in how you feel
and what you think, and even how you
think, during those seven days.
After seven days, notice if there
are some things you want to stop doing and some things you
now want to start.
This social media fast can be just between you and the Lord.
It will be your sign to Him that you
are willing to step away from the world
in order to enlist in His youth battalion.
My second invitation is to make a weekly sacrifice of time
to the Lord, for three weeks in a row,
to let Him know that you want to be part of His youth
battalion--more than you want anything else.
For three weeks, give up something
you like to do and use that time to help gather Israel.
Anytime you do anything that helps anyone--on either side
of the veil--take a step toward making covenants with God
and receiving their essential baptismal and temple
ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel.
It is as simple as that.
As you pray about this sacrifice of time,
you will be guided to know both what you can give up that week
and what you can do instead to help gather Israel.
For example, a young golfer might give up a round of golf
and spend that time in the temple baptistry.
My third invitation is for you to do a thorough life
assessment with the Lord, and perhaps
with your parents and your bishop,
to ensure that your feet are firmly
planted on the covenant path.
If you have wandered off or if there are some things
you need to let go of to help your mind and heart be
more pure, today is the perfect time to change.
If you aren't sure how to repent,
talk with your bishop or your parents or both.
They will help you understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
They will help you experience the joy that true repentance
always brings.
Please do not stay off the covenant path one more minute.
Please come back through true repentance now.
We need you with us in this youth battalion of the Lord.
It just won't be the same without you!
My fourth invitation is for you to pray daily
that all of God's children might receive the blessings
of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You and I are living to see, and will continue to see,
Israel gathered with great power.
And you can be part of the power behind that gathering!
My fifth invitation is for you to stand out.
Be different from the world.
You and I know that you are to be a light to the world.
Therefore, the Lord needs you to look like, sound like,
act like, and dress like a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Yes, you are living in the world,
but you have very different standards
from the world to help you to avoid the stain of the world.
With the Holy Ghost as your companion,
you can see right through the celebrity culture
that has smitten our society.
You can be smarter than previous generations have ever been.
And if you are sometimes called "weird,"
wear that distinction as a badge of honor
and be happy that your light is shining brightly
in this ever-darkening world!
Set a standard for the rest of the world!
Embrace being different!
The booklet entitled For the Strength of Youth
should be your standard.
It is the standard that the Lord expects all His youth
to uphold.
Now, as His humble servant, I plead with you
to study this booklet again.
Prayerfully read it like you've never read it before.
Mark it up.
Talk about it.
Discuss the standards with your friends.
Decide how you can live these standards, your standards,
with even more exactness.
You have a copy of your own.
So tonight at the end of the meeting,
if you choose to enlist, please take
a copy of For the Strength of Youth
and give this new copy to a friend
who may not know your standards or who may not live them.
Pray about who needs this booklet.
You will be guided.
And it will be exciting.
Now let me summarize by reviewing my five invitations
for you to enlist in the Lord's youth battalion to help
gather Israel:
1.
Hold a seven-day fast from social media.
2.
Make a weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord for three weeks.
3.
Keep on the covenant path.
If you are off, repent and get back on the path.
4.
Pray daily that all of God's children
might receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
5.
Stand out.
Be different.
Be a light.
Give to a friend one copy of the booklet
For the Strength of Youth.
My beloved younger brothers and sisters,
you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world.
You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser
and have more impact on the world
than any previous generation!
As I conclude, I invite you to stand with the youth
from all around the world and experience
the thrill of being a member of the Lord's youth battalion
in "Zion's army" by singing our closing hymn, "Hope of Israel,"
because this hymn is all about you!
From the depths of my soul, I testify that this
is the work of Almighty God.
He lives.
Jesus is the Christ.
This is His Church, restored to accomplish its divine destiny,
including the promised gathering of Israel.
You are the hope of Israel, "children of the promised day"!
I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Sister Nelson, come and stand with me while we all stand.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
Our dear Heavenly Father, we are so very
grateful to be gathered as youth all around the world tonight.
We're so very thankful for our prophet, President Nelson,
and his wife.
And we're thankful for what he has taught us about learning
to enlist in the work.
Please help us to be able to stand out
and be different and be a light to the rest of the world.
And we say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.