A look at the new language in the LDS Church’s ‘For the Strength of Youth’ guide (2023)

Updated version provides principles, says apostle Dieter Uchtdorf, to help young people make “righteous choices.”

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)Youngsters receive the new guide “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices” after the morning session of General Conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Oct. 1, 2022.

By Peggy Fletcher Stack

(Video) Elder Uchtdorf Encourages Teens to Read New For the Strength of Youth Guide

| Oct. 1, 2022, 9:12 p.m.

| Updated: Oct. 3, 2022, 5:30 p.m.

Gone is the prohibition on tattoos or extra piercings and the condemnation of bare shoulders or midriffs. The ban on “passionate kissing” is no longer there nor is the shaming of those with same-sex attraction.

(Video) Why Do We Need A New For Strength of Youth Guide?

This is the new and updated “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices,” a printed and digital pamphlet aimed at young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“The best guide you can possibly have for making choices is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the strength of youth,” apostle Dieter F. Uchtdorf said in Saturday morning’s General Conference session. “So the purpose of the [pamphlet] is to point you to him.

“...I suppose the guide could give you long lists of clothes you shouldn’t wear, words you shouldn’t say, and movies you shouldn’t watch,” he said. “But would that really be helpful in a global church? Would such an approach truly prepare you for a lifetime of Christlike living?”

Instead, the new “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices” stresses the “values, principles and doctrine” young Latter-day Saints can use to make decisions for themselves.

(Video) Mormon Church Revises For the Strength of Youth

Instead of specific behavior, the new version provides general principles, Uchtdorf said, which could help young members “make righteous choices based on those eternal truths.”

Here are excerpts from a few of the revised statements:

• On bodies — “As you make decisions about your clothing, hairstyle, and appearance, ask yourself, ‘Am I honoring my body as a sacred gift from God?’ … Avoid styles that emphasize or draw inappropriate attention to your physical body instead of who you are as a child of God with an eternal future.”

• On dress, grooming, tattoos and piercings — “The Lord’s standard is for you to honor the sacredness of your body, even when that means being different from the world. Let this truth and the Spirit be your guide as you make decisions — especially decisions that have lasting effects on your body.”

• On sexual purity — “Outside of marriage between a man and a woman, it is wrong to touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body even if clothed. In your choices about what you do, look at, read, listen to, think about, post, or text, avoid anything that purposely arouses lustful emotions in others or yourself. This includes pornography in any form.”

(Video) Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth | Dieter F. Uchtdorf | October 2022 General Conference

• On same-gender attraction — “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. You are a beloved child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ. Remember that the Savior understands everything you experience. Through your covenant connection with him, you will find strength to obey God’s commandments and receive the blessings he promises.”

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) A aerial view of a For the Strength of Youth conference in Brazil in 2016.

FAQs

What is the new strength of youth lds 2022? ›

The new “For the Strength of Youth” guide released during October 2022 general conference — like other recent initiatives and efforts by the Church — is designed to help youth focus on the Savior Jesus Christ and seek personal revelation in making decisions.

What are the biggest changes to the new For the Strength of Youth booklet? ›

Focus on Jesus Christ and the Temple

The new booklet has an entire chapter titled “Jesus Christ will help you,” and it focuses on how Jesus Christ's Atonement can strengthen youth and help them repent and change.

What is the new strength for the youth LDS? ›

The new “For the Strength of Youth” guide, announced October 1 during the opening session of general conference, encourages youth to deepen their conversion by learning correct principles and the blessings that result from living those principles, and to act on the spiritual promptings they receive as they study the ...

What are the 4 goals for LDS youth? ›

The new Children and Youth program invites participants to make and complete goals in four different categories: spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual.

Is LDS membership declining? ›

In recent years, the global faith of 16.8 million has grown by less than 1% annually and, in fact, is shrinking in a number of regions. In the United States over the past two years, for instance, 21 states saw Latter-day Saint membership decline.

Why are so many Millenials leaving the LDS Church? ›

They have complicated relationships with the church, and in some cases, they're believing without belonging.” Ogletree said millennials leaving the LDS Church is part of the broader generational trend away from religion and toward a more secular culture — the trend that sparked Riess' study.

What is the new Mormon pamphlet? ›

Muslims and Latter-day Saints: Beliefs, Values, and Lifestyles” is a new 35-page pamphlet that was released Jan. 19, 2022, and previewed by Elders David A. Bednar and Gerrit W. Gong at an October 2021 BYU conference.

What is the Mormon dress code female 2022? ›

Women should wear "professional suits, skirts, blouses, jackets, sweaters, and dresses." Jeans or pants are only acceptable during certain activities, like exercise. Shirts with "cap sleeves" can't be worn alone.

What is the new LDS stance on tattoos? ›

| Updated: Oct. 3, 2022, 10:30 a.m. Gone is the prohibition on tattoos or extra piercings and the condemnation of bare shoulders or midriffs. The ban on “passionate kissing” is no longer there nor is the shaming of those with same-sex attraction.

What is the new youth theme for 2022 LDS? ›

Proverbs 3:5–6

All rights reserved. The Young Women and Young Men general presidencies have announced that the 2022 Youth Theme is “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

How can I make my youth stronger in church? ›

How To Engage the Youth In Your Church
  1. Be Sincere. All church or youth leaders are capable of providing the one thing youth long for the most—sincerity. ...
  2. Involve Younger Members. ...
  3. Create an Inviting Culture. ...
  4. Communicate the Way Young Members Want You to Communicate. ...
  5. Update Your Programming.
Jul 7, 2020

What are the strengths of the youth? ›

Discussion
Resiliency; can withstand a lot, enduranceSense of humour/funnyArtistic
CourageousSmartLove animals
Positive attitude/ responsibleGivingCreative
Forgiving, easy going, can rise above a situationCan work through barriers; problem solversAccepting of others & open minded
1 more row

What are the goals of youth development? ›

Youth development is a process that prepares a young person to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood and achieve his or her full potential. Youth development is promoted through activities and experiences that help youth develop social, ethical, emotional, physical, and cognitive competencies.

What are the goals of youth empowerment? ›

Specifically, the YEP promotes novel and creative ideas designed to reduce high-risk behaviors, strengthen youth resiliency, improve protective factors, develop fundamental life skills, and establish a pattern of behaviors that lead to healthy choices and ultimately success in life.

What is the 2023 youth theme LDS? ›

The Young Women and Young Men General Presidencies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have announced that the 2023 Youth Theme is “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

What percent of Mormon marriages end in divorce? ›

According to research cited in a 2000 article in the Los Angeles Times, “in an era of divorce, Latter-day Saint temple weddings are built to last,” with only a 6 percent divorce rate.

What percentage of Mormon missionaries leave the church? ›

While an estimated 40 percent of returned missionaries become inactive sometime after completing their mission, only 2 percent become apostates, meaning that they request to have their names removed from church rolls, or are formally excommunicated.

Is Julie Hanks a member of the LDS Church? ›

Julie Hanks is at Wasatch Family Therapy. As a life-long member of the LDS Church I've been involved in and have witnessed many casual conversations in foyers, cultural halls, classroom, and in a variety of social situations.

What percent of Mormons leave the faith? ›

Some can also become apatheist. A Pew Research report corroborated this, finding in 2015 that 36% of those born Mormon left the religion, with 21% of born Mormons (58% of ex-Mormons) now unaffiliated, 6% evangelical Protestant, and 9% converting to other Protestant, Catholic, or a non-Christian faith.

Why do LDS members go inactive? ›

Reasons for disengagement can include lifestyle issues and problems with social integration. The LDS Church does not release statistics on church activity, but it is likely that about 60 percent of its members in the United States and 70 percent worldwide are less active or inactive.

Has LDS apostle ever been excommunicated? ›

Richard Roswell Lyman (November 23, 1870 – December 31, 1963) was an American engineer and religious leader who was an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1918 to 1943. Lyman is often noted as the most recent LDS Church apostle to have been excommunicated.

What is the most repeated word in the Book of Mormon? ›

Did you know “it came to pass” appears in the Book of Mormon a whopping 1,353 times?

Are LDS garments changing? ›

The changes are for the ceremonial robes worn only in the temple, and not for the everyday “garments” that temple-endowed members wear both inside and outside the temple. They are designed to make temple clothing easier to “put on, care for, and afford.”

What happened to the lost 116 pages of the Book of Mormon? ›

These pages, which had not been copied, were lost by Smith's scribe, Martin Harris, during the summer of 1828 and are presumed to have been destroyed. Smith completed the Book of Mormon without retranslating the Book of Lehi, replacing it with what he said was an abridgment taken from the Plates of Nephi.

Can Mormon girls wear pants? ›

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints updated its dress code for missionaries. Women are still supposed to wear skirts and dresses to worship. But women at more than 400 missions worldwide may wear dress slacks at other times. It's seen as a way to ward off mosquitoes.

Can a Mormon wear a cross? ›

We may wonder why we Latter-day Saints don't place a cross on our churches or wear a cross to show that we are Christians, thereby making it easier for others to identify in whom we believe. Is the cross important to our faith? The answer is an unequivocal yes!

What are the Mormon rules for kissing? ›

Kissing. Church leaders have stated that outside of marriage "passionate kisses", defined as "more intense and last[ing] longer than a brief kiss", and "prolonged kisses that involve the tongue and excite the passions" are "off limits".

Do Mormons do cremation? ›

That said, the Mormon faith does not prohibit cremation, it simply discourages it, and cremation is not seen as a hindrance to the ultimate resurrection of the body. Mormons who have been cremated can still receive a Mormon funeral service as well.

Can Mormons donate sperm? ›

While sperm and egg donations from anyone other than the husband and wife are still discouraged, the decision is “ultimately left to the judgment and prayerful consideration of the potential donor.”

Can Mormons have beards? ›

“Thankfully, the LDS Handbook and church newsroom have no negative guidelines regarding facial hair,” it states. “Leaders have long known that becoming a global church involves multiple cultures, realizing that a beard holds different meanings around the world.”

What is the primary theme for 2022? ›

We are so excited to release this year's Primary MEGA PACK for your Primaries! The main question we ask ourselves when creating these big packets each year is how to make sure the children in your Primary can feel their Savior's love for them.

What is the new youth theme? ›

The 2023 youth theme comes from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ.” As youth and youth leaders kick off a new year of activities, camps, devotionals and For the Strength of Youth conferences, the Young Women and Young Men general presidencies offered some insights on the 2023 youth theme.

What is the theme for the year 2022? ›

Changing Course, Transforming Education

What attracts youth to church? ›

Churches who show sincerity in their faith and intentions are more likely to attract teenagers and reduce church dropouts. Ensure your congregation has a good reputation for being genuine and loving. Encourage congregational members to show love and respect towards younger generations.

What is an encouraging verse for the youth? ›

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1Timothy 4:12. “Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. '” Matthew 22:37.

How can you encourage youth to grow spiritually? ›

Five Ways to Help Youth Have Spiritual Experiences
  • Give Youth Opportunities to Serve. ...
  • Connect Youth with the Word of God. ...
  • Be Consistent. ...
  • Tap into Existing Opportunities to Teach and Listen. ...
  • Work Together toward a Common Goal.

What are the 5 characteristics of positive youth development? ›

Lerner (2009) described PYD as a process that promotes the “5Cs”: competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring. Lerner (2009) also described thriving young people as individuals who actively nurture, cultivate, and develop positive qualities.

What are the five importance of youth empowerment? ›

Improved social skills, improved behaviour, increased academic accomplishment, increased self-esteem, and increased self-efficacy are all results of youth empowerment programs.

What are the 3 C's of youth empowerment? ›

[Google Scholar]), we proposed a theoretical framework of positive youth programming development (PYPD) with three components: programming Confidence, programming Connection, and programming Contribution.

What are the 6 C's of positive youth development? ›

MENTORS INFLUENCE YOUTH OUTCOMES

These skills are the 6 C's – Curiosity, Character, Connection, Caring, Competency, Confidence.

What are the 5 types of youth empowerment? ›

They include skill, educational, business, moral, financial youth empowerment and others.

What are the three 3 main objectives of empowerment? ›

1 argue that there are three dimensions of empowerment: self- empowerment through individual action, mutual empowerment that is interpersonal, and social empowerment in the outcomes of social action.

What are 3 examples of empowerment? ›

Employee empowerment examples for big businesses
  • Involve employees in company decisions. ...
  • Provide training courses for managers. ...
  • Use employee recognition awards. ...
  • Allow autonomy in decision making.
Sep 12, 2021

What are the six importance of youth empowerment? ›

BENEFITS OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Production of skilled manpower. Development of the attitude of self-reliance. Creation of job opportunities. Reduction of social miscreants in society.

What is the theme of 2023 Scripture? ›

According to a notice sent to local leaders on Sept. 6, the youth theme chosen for 2023 is “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

What is the new LDS youth theme? ›

The 2023 youth theme is a brief 10 words from the Apostle Paul's epistle in the New Testament to the Saints in Philippi — “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

When was For the Strength of Youth last updated? ›

The LDS Church first published "For the Strength of Youth" in 1965. Subsequent editions were published in 1966, two in 1968, 1969, 1972, 1990, 2001, 2011, and most recently in 2022 (10th edition).

What is the new LDS youth theme for 2023? ›

The Young Women and Young Men General Presidencies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have announced that the 2023 Youth Theme is “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

What should I preach to youth about? ›

5 Best Preaching Topics for Youth
  • Mental Health. Young people lead more difficult lives than we would think; they're under pressure at school, with their friends, and even at home. ...
  • Peer Pressure. ...
  • The Internet. ...
  • Bullying. ...
  • Empowering the Oppressed.
Apr 26, 2021

What should I preach on youth Service? ›

SERMONS ON YOUTH
  • The Days Of Thy Youth. ...
  • Let No Man Despise Thy Youth. ...
  • Refuge for the Loneliness of Youth (7 of 29) ...
  • Remember Your Creator in the Days of Your Youth (7 of 14) ...
  • The Youth Pastor's Vital Resource: Living In And Under The Powerful Anointing Of The Holy Spirit. ...
  • Remember to Rejoice in Your Youth (14 of 15)

What is the 2023 lds youth theme on etsy? ›

2023 LDS Youth Theme I Can Do All Things Through Christ - Etsy.

What are the themes for youth empowerment? ›

Dominant Themes
  • Youth Employability, Livelihoods, and Entrepreneurship.
  • Youth Development, Focusing Heavily on Formal Education.
  • Youth and HIV/AIDS.
  • Youth and Participation.

What is the theme of responsibility of youth? ›

Answer: Youth is responsible to build the nation, to make the society good and noble. Youth can improve the community and culture of society. If youth understands his responsibility, a large number of crimes may reduce within one day.

What are the three themes found in the wife of his youth? ›

“The Wife of His Youth” explores themes of identity, migration, and dislocation from one's past and heritage through the protagonist of Mr.

What does new For the Strength of Youth mean? ›

The Church's redesigned “For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices” is meant to teach gospel principles and invite youth to make decisions for themselves supported by personal revelation. Elder Dieter F.

What does the LDS Church say about tattoos? ›

Latter-day prophets strongly discourage the tattooing of the body. Those who disregard this counsel show a lack of respect for themselves and for God.

Videos

1. Let God Guide You: From Weakness to Strength
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
2. Discussing "Jesus Christ is the Strength of Youth" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf
(General Conference Conversations)
3. Updated For the Strength of Youth Booklet Loosens Mormon Moral Standards!!!
(Travis Wayne Goodsell)
4. Responding to 1960’s Mormon Document!
(Saints Unscripted)
5. 006: New For the Strength of Youth Guide Part 1 - Women's Panel Discussion
(Our Truth Be Told)
6. I Can Do All Things Through Christ: 2023 Youth Theme – Official Music Video
(Strive to Be)
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