Mormons believe in prophets, and prophets head the Mormon Church (officially The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Joseph Smith was the first prophet and Thomas S. Monson is the current prophet. Prophets receive revelation from God for the sake of the Church and their counsel to us is received as scripture.
Following are a number of talks and articles by Mormon leaders which are intended for youth. We hope that you will find them useful and inspiring.
Real Confidence – Talks from the Young Women and Young Men general presidencies.
The general presidencies discuss how we can find confidence by remembering who we are (children of God) and by keeping God’s commandments.
To the Rising Generation – President Ezra Taft Benson
Ezra Taft Benson, late President of the Mormon Church, gives counsel to youth about the importance of being morally clean and close to their families. The teenage years are a time to stretch your wings; just be wise about what direction you stretch them in.
You Are Different – Elder David B. Haight
Being different can be difficult, but standing as an example for people who have less direction in their lives and who do not believe in the gospel of Christ makes being different an honor.
A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth – President Gordon B. Hinckley
Be grateful. Be smart. Be clean. Be true. Be humble. Be prayerful.
Blessed are the Pure in Heart – President Gordon B. Hinckley
The pure in heart, those who follow the Lord, are blessed even when times are very difficult.
For the Strength of Youth – Elder Earl C. Tingey
Standards are important to have. They make us stronger. In a world that would remove standards, having a clear idea what you will or won’t do is comforting.
Searching for the One You Will Marry – Elder LeGrand R. Curtis
Dating is important. It’s hard to know who we want to marry without going through this process, and we do tend to marry the kinds of people we like to be with (at least, so we hope). Elder Curtis gives us some helpful advice on how to date.
That We May Touch Heaven – Elder Thomas S. Monson
Christ is the path to salvation and we are much happier when we live clean, honest, and repentant lives. We all sin and we all offend each other, but we can always repent and we can always do better.
How to Discourage Discouragement – Elder Gene R. Cook
It’s easy to become discouraged, to think the world is dark and that we will never be good enough to overcome it. But the Lord wants us to be happy, and the path to happiness is through Him.
Dating versus Hanging Out – Elder Dallin H. Oaks
In a talk given to college students, Elder Oaks talks about moving beyond casual, hang-out dating to more serious dating. This is useful information for people at the age where they should begin to think about marriage. The transition isn’t always easy.
Ye are the Temple of God – President Boyd K. Packer
The body is holy and should be well taken care of. Tattoos and sex outside of marriage are both harmful to our bodies. We shouldn’t deface our bodies physically or spiritually. They are gifts of God. But those who’ve come to harm or were born with disabilities will be resurrected whole.