Last night, there was a special Worldwide Devotional for the Youth with the prophet, President Nelson, and his wife, Wendy. We had all been looking forward to it for months, and it did not disappoint, and it was made even more special because we hosted the youth in our home to watch it. (If you would like to find the broadcast and listen to it or watch it, you can find it here, on lds.org) Sister Nelson spoke first, and her talk was wonderful. Here are a few of my favorite parts of her talk:
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 that 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 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.
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?
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, whatwe choose to do is actually part of our testing.
There were so many wonderful things for each of us to think about from her talk - not just the youth. Then President Nelson spoke. Listening to a Prophet of God is an amazing thing, and as he talked to the youth about their divine nature and responsibilities, and he gave them some amazing challenges to take part in the gathering of Israel. He started things off with telling them this:
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.
What an amazing promise! He then went on to say:
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?5
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?
After teaching more about this, he ended by giving the youth a specific challenge:
Now, let me summarize by reviewing my five invitations for you to enlist in the Lord’s youth battalion to help gather Israel:
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Hold a seven-day fast from social media.
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Make a weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord for three weeks.
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Keep on the covenant path. If you are off, repent and get back on the path.
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Pray daily that all of God’s children might receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Stand out. Be different. Be a light. Give to a friend one copy of the booklet For the Strength of Youth.
It was such a fabulous night, and I loved getting to share it with Lily and Derek. Kevin and I decided to take the challenge as well, including the part about staying off of Social Media for seven days (especially since Lily and Derek aren't on social media). I know that as we follow the counsel and direction from our Prophet, that we will be guided and directed back to our Father in Heaven.