For the Strength of Youth is a piece of writing 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." "For the Strength of Youth" is available on the internet, in a printed pamphlet, and on a small card that the Church encourages the youth to keep with them at all times, usually in their wallets.

History

The LDS Church first published "For the Strength of Youth" in 1965. Subsequent editions were published in 1966, two in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, and 1990. The most recent and ninth edition was published in 2001.

Sections

"For the Strength of Youth" is divided into sections, each corresponding to the standards it pertains to. Before the sections containing the actual standards, there are two short sections called "Message from the First Presidency" and "Why Standards?".

The Message from the First Presidency is a message written specifically to the youth by the First Presidency

First Presidency (LDS Church)

The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...

 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The message counsels the youth to follow the standards outlined in "For the Strength of Youth" and gives their witness to the truth of what is taught by it.

The Why Standards section is a short explanation of why the standards given in "For the Strength of Youth" should be adhered to.

After the main sections containing the standards there are two more short sections, "Conclusion: Worthiness and Service" and Standards Summary.

The sections found in the internet version of "For the Strength of Youth" and the standards listed in the "Standards Summary" are:

Relationships with others

Dating

• Prepare now for temple
  Temple (LDS Church)
  In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a temple is a building dedicated to be a House of the Lord, and they are considered by Church members to be the most sacred structures on earth. Upon completion, temples are usually open to the public for a short period of time...
  
   marriage
• Begin dating only after you are sixteen
• When you begin dating, go in groups or double date
• Date only those with high moral standards
• Avoid temptation

Friends

• Choose good friends with whom you can share common high standards
• Go out of your way to help shy friends
• Treat everyone with kindness and dignity
• Invite your nonmember friends to Church activities
• Choose your friends wisely
• Invite your friends to church activities
• Share the Gospel with nonmember friends

Personal integrity

Dress and appearance

• Dress modestly to show respect for God and yourself
• Avoid extremes in your clothing and appearance
• Dress appropriately for all Church meetings and activities
• Dress how the Lord will want you to dress
• Dress to show people who are not from the gospel that you are a daughter/son of Heavenly Father

Honesty

• Be honest with yourself
• Be honest with others
• Be honest with the Lord

Language

• Use language to build up and inspire others
• Do not use profane, vulgar, or crude language
• Never take the name of Deity in vain
• Do not gossip

Sexual purity

• Treat your date with respect and expect respect in return
• Abstain from premarital sex, petting, necking, sex perversion, and preoccupation with sex in thought, speech, and action
• Do not participate in passionate kissing
• Do not lie on top of another person
• Do not touch private, sacred parts of another persons body, with or without clothing
• Do not allow anyone to do that to you
• Do not arouse those emotions in your own body
• Reserve sexual intimacy for marriage
• Refrain from homosexual activities
• Seek help and counseling if you become a victim of rape, incest, or other sexual abuse

Sabbath day observance

• Use the sabbath
  Sabbath
  Sabbath in Christianity is a weekly day of rest or religious observance, derived from the Biblical Sabbath.Seventh-day Sabbath observance, i.e. resting from labor from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, is practiced by seventh-day Sabbatarians...
  
   to worship the Lord, strengthen family relationships, help others, and draw close to the Lord
• Avoid seeking entertainment and spending money on the Sabbath
• When possible, avoid working on the Sabbath

Spiritual help

• You are never alone. Rely on the Holy Ghost. Knowing what is right and wrong is always possible.

Education

• An education will help you better provide for your family and those in need. Get a good education. Maintain an enthusiasm for learning.

Repentance

• If you have made mistakes, you can be forgiven through proper repentance
• Show your friend there is a way back to Heavenly Father's kingdom though repentance and forgiveness.

Mental and Physical Health

• Keep your mind, body, and spirit healthy
• Do not use drugs, alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco products
• Remember your body is a temple of God where the Holy Spirit can dwell

Media and entertainment

Media

• Use only good media that will uplift and inspire yourself and others
• Avoid pornography in all forms
• Do not see vulgar movies or videos
• Leave or change any immoral or suggestive situation

Music and dancing

• Use good music to help you draw closer to Heavenly Father
• Do not listen to music that encourages immorality, uses offensive language, or drives the Spirit away
• When dancing, avoid full body contact or intimate positions with your partner
• Plan and attend dances where the Spirit of the Lord may be present

See also

• Articles of Faith (Mormonism)
  Articles of Faith (Mormonism)
  Within the Latter Day Saint movement, the Articles of Faith are a creed composed by Joseph Smith, Jr. as part of an 1842 letter sent to "Long" John Wentworth, editor of the Chicago Democrat, and first published in the Latter Day Saint newspaper Times and Seasons. It is a concise listing of thirteen...
  
  
• Especially for Youth
  Especially for Youth
  Especially For Youth is a week long youth-oriented seminar focused on fellowship and teaching the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
  
  
• Family Home Evening
  Family Home Evening
  Family Home Evening or Family Night, in the context of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, refers to one evening per week, usually Monday, that families are encouraged to spend together in study, prayer and other wholesome activities...
  
  
• Fast Sunday
  Fast Sunday
  In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fast Sunday is a Sunday set aside for fasting.- Overview :...
  
  

External links

• LDS.org Library - The internet version of "For the Strength of Youth."
• PDF - Direct link to the PDF version of "For the Strength of Youth."
• Companion Website - The official companion website to "For the Strength of Youth."