The Secret Sauce of the Gospel and Church

     The teenage years or as Elder Hales calls it the "decade of decision" can be a very self centered time of life. Here are just some of the legitimate aspects of life that our young men have to consider between the ages of 11 and 21:

• Personal testimony (Is the church true?)
• Personal conversion (Has my heart changed because of what I know?)
• Grades at school
• Priesthood advancement
• Rank advancement in Scouts
• Standards (alcohol, drugs, pornography, dating, entertainment, etc.)
• Sports
• Girls, girls, girls (interested in, too interested in, afraid of, intimidated, etc)
• Friends (Growing closer, farther apart, not enough, not good, etc.)
• Self worth (am I good looking, smart, fun, interesting enough)
• Body issues
• Should I serve a mission?
• Where to go to college?
• How to pay for college?
• How to get along with parents? Siblings?
• Where to work? How much to work? What to do with the money I make?

     These are  just some of the considerations our Priests and other young men are dealing with. While each of the above bullets deserve their own in-depth discussion, I invite everyone to consider how the power of looking outside oneself and looking towards the needs of others can provide the clarity, confidence and peace we need to safely navigate tour own personal concerns. This is the secret sauce of the Gospel. Don't just exist or be present for yourself. Show up for others. If that means attending an activity you personally aren't interested in, show up. If that means waking up early and going to seminary, show up. If that means including someone, who you don't naturally get along with, then show up. If you are scared of serving a mission then talk with others who are also afraid and encourage them, show up. As you look outside yourself you will find yourself. Being motivated solely by what makes you happy or what you want is fools gold. It seems shiny and nice but ultimately is of little worth. True happiness and joy comes when our purpose is something beyond our own self.

"He that findeth his life shall lose it: 
and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

                                                                                                                     Mathew 10: 39 

     I challenge all the Young Men during their next activity to be there for someone else. Make it your purpose to make sure someone else has a good time or learns something. If you do this you will not only be helping a brother, but you may just enjoy yourself and learn something along the way.

Please forgive any grammar or spelling mistakes.