"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
The LDS Church first published "For the Strength of Youth" in 1965.[1] Subsequent editions were published in 1966, two in 1968, 1969, 1972, 1990, 2001, 2011, and most recently in 2022 (10th edition).[2][1]
The first edition of the pamphlet had 16 pages, while the ninth edition had 44 pages.[3] 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."[4] The covers evolved from a depiction of a family in the first five editions to depictions of youth in the 1972 and 1990 versions,[5] which were replaced with images of the Salt Lake Temple in some editions, a reflection of what was called an "additional emphasis ... on living worthy to attend the temple" in the youth guidelines, while then returning to images of youth in the most recent version, released in 2022.[6] The 10th edition also added a subtitle with it, called "For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices."[7]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.[8]
Cover art showing the transition to a focus on standards for attending the temple
Contents
The current (10th) edition (2022) contains the follow sections:
The 1990 edition of the "For The Strength of Youth" pamphlet called homosexual activity an abomination.[9]: 3
The first explicit mention of homosexuality was contained in the 1990 seventh version of the pamphlet[10] 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 clarified that “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
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]
^Bingham, Ronald D.; Potts, Richard W. (1 April 1993). "Homosexuality: An LDS Perspective". Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy. 19 (1). Retrieved 21 June 2017.
^For the Strength of Youth (7 ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1990.
^For the Strength of Youth (8 ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. p. 26. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^For the Strength of Youth(PDF) (9 ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fall 2011. p. 36. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
^For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (10th ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 2022. pp. 27–28.
