For the Strength of Youth (pamphlet)

For the Strength of Youth
2011 edition
AuthorThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
PublisherIntellectual Reserve, Inc.
Publication date
1965 (1st ed.)
2022 (10th, current ed.)
OCLC23198861

For the Strength of Youth is a pamphlet distributed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) that "summarizes standards from scripture and from the writings and teachings of Church leaders." The pamphlet's target audience is young men and young women of the LDS Church, although its principles are applicable to all age groups in the church. It is available on the Internet and in print form. The pamphlet was first published in 1965, with its 10th and most recent edition released in 2022. The pamphlet was to be put "in the hands of every young person in each ward".[1]

History

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The LDS Church first published "For the Strength of Youth" in 1965.[1] Subsequent editions were published in 1966, two in 1968, 1969, 1972,[2] 1990, 2001, 2011, and most recently in 2022 (10th edition).[3]: 7 [1] The first edition of the pamphlet had 16 pages, while the ninth edition had 44 pages.[4] Regarding the 2011 version, Young Women general president Elaine S. Dalton said, "The standards have not changed, but times have changed.... For the Strength of Youth has been revised to address the issues youth face today — to teach them the doctrine behind the standards and the promised blessings of obedience."[5] The covers evolved from a depiction of a family in the first five editions to depictions of youth in the 1972 and 1990 versions,[6] which were replaced with images of the Salt Lake Temple in some editions, a reflection of its goal to "help you prepare to make sacred covenants in the temple temple".[7] The 10th edition also added a subtitle with it, called "For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices."[8] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated the resource had been "refreshed to better cope with the challenges and temptations of our day." He said the pamphlet will teach people eternal truths about who they are and who Christ is, as well as how people can make choices based on the truths taught.[9]

Cover art showing the transition to a focus on standards for attending the temple

Contents

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The current (10th) edition (2022) contains the follow sections:

  • Message from the First Presidency
  • Make inspired choices
  • Jesus Christ will help you
  • Love God, love your neighbor
  • Walk in God's light
  • Your body is sacred
  • Truth will make you free
  • Find joy in Christ
  • Appendix
  • What about . . . ?

Homosexuality

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See also: Homosexuality and the LDS Church
The 1990 edition of the "For The Strength of Youth" pamphlet called homosexual activity an abomination.[10]: 3 

The first explicit mention of homosexuality was contained in the 1990 seventh version of the pamphlet[3]: 186  where it says, "the Lord specifically forbids ... sex perversion such as homosexuality". It continues "homosexual and lesbian activities are sinful and an abomination to the Lord" and "unnatural affections ... toward persons of the same gender are counter to God's eternal plan".[11] The 2001 eighth version removes any mention of "unnatural affections" and "abomination" and only states, "homosexual activity is a serious sin. If you find your-self struggling with same-gender attraction, seek counsel from your parents and bishop. They will help you."[12] In 2011, the ninth version was released adding to the 2001 paragraph that "lesbian behavior" is also a "serious sin" and that the youth should speak to their parents and bishop if they "are being persuaded to participate in inappropriate behavior".[13] The 2022 update stated, "Feeling same-sex attraction is not a sin. If you have these feelings and do not pursue or act on them, you are living Heavenly Father's sacred law of chastity."[14]

For the Strength of Youth conferences

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In 2019, the LDS Church announced the intent to begin regional week-long youth activities called For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conference worldwide in 2020.[15] Such conferences have been previously held outside of the United States and Canada. The FSY conferences in the United States and Canada replaced Especially for Youth conferences that had been operated by church-owned Brigham Young University for more than 40 years.[15] A press release explains, "FSY conferences include activities, devotionals, and classes designed to help strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and provide opportunities for youth to grow spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually."[16] Young Men general president Steven J. Lund stated that "Experiences like FSY conferences ... can help to burnish our testimonies, taking us through arcs of growth and spiritual discovery to places of relative peace."[17] Apart from classes and devotionals, some of the activities during these conferences, as explained on the official FSY page, include gospel study, dances, games, goal setting, and a musical program.[18] The starting of FSY conferences in the United States and Canada was delayed until 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Fillmore, Brent D. (2007). "Promoting Peculiarity—Different Editions of For the Strength of Youth". Religious Educator. 8 (3). Brigham Young University: 78.
  2. ^ For the Strength of Youth (6th ed.). M241 C561f 1972: LDS Church. 1972. Retrieved 2024-02-23 – via Church History Library.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. ^ a b Jepson, Jared A. (2005). A Study of the For the Strength of Youth Pamphlet (Master of Arts thesis). Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University.
  4. ^ "For the Strength of Youth (2nd edition 1966)". New Cool Thang. 13 March 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  5. ^ "For the Strength of Youth pamphlet updated". LDS Living. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  6. ^ Slack, Mandy (8 September 2016). "How "For the Strength of Youth" Has Changed Over the Years". LDS Living. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  7. ^ Selcho, Madison (1 October 2022). "10 new things to know about the new 'For the Strength of Youth'". Deseret News. LDS Church.
  8. ^ Walker, Sydney (2022-10-01). "Church releases revised 'For the Strength of Youth' guide based on principles, agency". Church News. LDS Church. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
  9. ^ Uchtdorf, Dieter F. (October 2022). "Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth".
  10. ^ Bingham, Ronald D.; Potts, Richard W. (1 April 1993). "Homosexuality: An LDS Perspective". Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy. 19 (1). Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  11. ^ For the Strength of Youth (7th ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church. 1990 – via ISSUU.
  12. ^ For the Strength of Youth (PDF) (8th ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church. p. 26. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024 – via Internet Archive.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ^ For the Strength of Youth (PDF) (9th ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church. Fall 2011. p. 36. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ For the Strength of Youth (PDF) (10th ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: LDS Church. 2022. pp. 27–28.
  15. ^ a b Pierce, Scott D. (19 July 2019). "LDS Church announces expanded youth conferences in wake of split with Scouting"". The Salt Lake Tribune.
  16. ^ Walker, Sydney. "Church Releases More Details about FSY Conferences Starting in 2020", Church News, 13 September 2019. Retrieved on 13 March 2020.
  17. ^ Lund, Steven J. (October 2022). "Lasting Discipleship".
  18. ^ "Week at a Glance". April 2021.
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