Mormon Youth

Most of us will probably not have the opportunity to save fifteen people (single-handedly) from a flaming building, a sinking ship . . . well, name it. We might be ready to dive in at the first hint of trouble. We might dream of heroism of one kind of another. I know I do. And there are big things we can do (that don’t require impromptu disasters). We can make a difference by going on a mission, by travelling to other countries, other states, or even just part of town to do humanitarian work. There will always be the poor, the sick, the orphaned and the lonely. Sometimes, they’re our neighbors. Mormons believe we can make a difference just by looking around and discovering each other’s needs.

So service is always important. And so is standing for what you believe. Not everyone can be official Mormon missionaries–especially not when they’re teenagers. But when you stand for what you believe is true, no matter what others think, you stand as an example of your beliefs. You make them part of yourself. And you may find people admire you for it.
“When I was in South America, the young women and their leaders sang, ‘I’m Trying to Be like Jesus’ (see Children’s Songbook, 78). They not only sang the words, but they meant it. In Asia and India, young women are examples of faith, modest dress, and purity. Their eyes shine and they are happy. The young women in England, Ireland, and Wales are standing for truth and righteousness in their schools. In an ever-darkening world, they are making a difference. Some of you are the only members in your family or your school. You are making a difference. You are leading in righteous ways.”

(Elaine S. Dalton, “It Shows in Your Face,” Ensign, May 2006, 110)

(From Youth Gems)

The world is sometimes dark and often cynical. And very often selfish. It’s easy to get caught up in our own desires and our own wants and our own needs. There are so many of them, and school and work and friends keep us so busy. “Doing good” sometimes can seem like just not “doing bad.”

But we need to be active. We need to reach out our hands to other people. We need to look to other people’s needs and be willing to put forth effort to meet them. We can be good influences.

In Mormon belief, we can be missionaries through example as well as through the Mormon missionary program. If we are kind to others, if we live what we believe, people will notice.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said:

“There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. Let us not dwell on the critical or the negative. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us.”

(Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Need for Greater Kindness,” Ensign, May 2006, 61)

The Pew Internet Report has recently released that a lot of teenagers do use social-networking sites like mySpace, but that a lot of them are pretty sensible about it. They don’t put personal information widely public, which most people agree is a bad idea. In fact, most teenagers that use social networks don’t even use them to flirt.

Teens usually say that they use these sites to maintain and make friendships. School friends move away, for example, and this is a way to keep in touch.

Like all things online, though, we should always be careful about what we say and how much information we decide to give out. Don’t give out your phone number or address online, for example — this is basic net knowledge. And Mormons do think we should be careful about how we find our friends — making friends online rather than offline can be pretty isolating, even if you’re not giving out personal information.

But these kind of sites can be good for Mormon missionary work. In a way, this site is bearing testimony to the truth of the gospel. Why not bear testimony on your blog, for example?

Read the full report here:

Pew Internet Report

Most of the sections for Mormon Youth are up! I’m still working through the dating section (and, oh, if anyone has any suggestions, I’ll be happy to take them. Dating is so complex), but the section on Mormon beliefs and the Mormon Church is mostly up. I hope you find these interesting.

Here’s a sample from the article on faith:

Well, what can we say. Faith isn’t always hip. The media (and doesn’t the media have so much to say) can show religion as blind and out-dated. Faith is for people who like to fool themselves and God can’t have a hand in the world, since so many awful things happen every day.

Of course, in giving up on God, we take that much meaning out of the world for ourselves. It’s funny how some like to comfort themselves by saying that our greatest Comfort doesn’t exist.

Faith in God, in Christ, isn’t something we have one day and then have pure and strong forever. Like much in the gospel, it’s a Mormon belief that faith requires a daily, progressive effort. We accept Christ, we believe that He died for us, and then we work daily to strengthen our convictions.

We are creating a new site that will be targeting young people who are already members of the Mormon Church or who are interested in knowing more about what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teachings are.

Contribution are welcomed. Those interested can write to mctwebmaster@gmail.com