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The First
Presidency has established guidelines for your daily decisions. Choosing
to live these standards brings joy and helps qualify you for temple
blessings. Study the standards as they are explained in the pamphlet For
the Strength of Youth. Review them often. Commit to live them. As you do
this your example will strengthen your family and the young men and
young women with whom you associate. These standards are:
Agency and
Accountability:
Choose
righteousness and happiness, no matter what your circumstances. Take
responsibility for the choices you make Develop your abilities and
talents, and use them for good. Avoid idleness and be willing to work
hard.
Gratitude
Have a spirit
of gratitude in all you do and say. Thank God for your blessings, and
express appreciation to others who help you.
Education
Prepare to be
an influence for good in the world. Obtain an education, and be
enthusiastic about learning. Attend seminary.
Family
Do your part
to build a happy home. Honor your parents, and strengthen your
relationships with your brothers and sisters.
Friends
Choose
friends who share your high standards. Treat everyone with kindness and
respect. Invite friends of other faiths to Church activities. Reach out
to new converts and those who are less active.
Dress
modestly to show respect for God and yourself. Never lower your dress
standards for any occasion. Do not disfigure your body with tattoos and
body piercing.
Entertainment and the Media
Choose
uplifting entertainment. Avoid anything that is vulgar, immoral,
violent, or pornographic in any way. Commit to keeping God*s standards.
Music and
Dancing
Listen to
music that helps you draw closer to Heavenly Father. Do not listen to
music that encourages immorality, glorifies violence, or uses offensive
language. When dancing, avoid full body contact or suggestive movements.
Language
Use language
that uplifts, encourages, and compliments others. Use the names of God
and Jesus Christ with reverence and respect. Do not use profane, vulgar,
or crude language or gestures.
Dating
Do not date
until you are at least 16 years old. Date only those who have high
standards. When you begin dating, go in groups or on double dates. Plan
activities that help you remain close to the Spirit of the Lord.
Sexual
Purity
Keep yourself
sexually pure. Do not have any sexual relations before marriage. Do not
participate in talk or activities that arouse sexual feelings. Do not
participate in homosexual activities. Seek help if you become a victim
of rape, incest, or other sexual abuse.
Repentance
Through the
Savior*s Atonement, you can receive forgiveness and be cleansed from
your sins when you repent. Confess your sins to the Lord and to those
you have wronged. If the sins are serious, you also need to confess them
to your bishop.
Honesty
Be honest
with yourself, others, and the Lord. Do not rationalize that dishonesty
is right.
Sabbath
Day Observance
Use the
Sabbath to worship the Lord, attend church, draw closer to your family,
and help others. Do not seek entertainment or spend money on the
Sabbath. When possible, avoid working on Sunday.
Tithes and
Offerings
Willingly pay
a full tithe. Attend tithing settlement. Obey the law of the fast.
Physical
Health
Keep the Word
of Wisdom. Eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough
sleep. Do not use hard drugs, alcohol, coffee, tea, or tobacco products.
Do not abuse prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Service to
Others
Serve others
in your Church assignments and in your home, school, and community. Seek
daily the guidance of the Holy Ghost to know whom to serve and how to
help meet their needs.
Go Forward
with Faith
Be true to
the Lord and to His Church. Regularly pray in private and read the
scriptures. Keep your covenants and listen to the whisperings of the
Spirit. The Lord will help you meet your trials and challenges.
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