Stake Standards Night Saturday 29th March at 6pm at Hyde Park Chapel.
All baptised members of the Church need to live the standards as stated in 'For the Strength of Youth' no matter how old they are. However, we know the difficulties you may face in your youth. A simple example is dressing modestly. I love clothes but even now I cringe when my husband states that we have to go to a work event. I know trying to find a modest evening dress will be a nightmare, well, if I don't want to look frumpy! It takes some serious shopping to ever find anything I can wear! (I really need to learn to sew and design my own clothes...good PP project!)
My enjoyment of clothes goes way back to when I was at school. Like most teenage girls I loved clothes and make-up, but even then finding 'cool' but modest clothing could be a bit of a challenge.
After much experimentation in the world of teenage fashion, I managed to find a style of my own. My hairstyles, that can only be described now as, 'creative', at best, allowed me some further self expression! But the point is, I was able to state some individuality without being immodest or compromising any standards...(Looking back at photos I realise I was a youth during a very unflattering decade of fashion! If ever you're feeling bad about how you look, ask to see them, you'll feel instantly better about yourself !)
This is a small example of one standard, but I'm grateful for all the Standards I had as a guide for me through my youth. They were and still are a protection to me. I know by being obedient I can ensure I maintain the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord in my life.
President Ezra Taft Benson once told the youth:
Beloved youth, you will have your trials and temptations through which you must pass, but there are great moments of eternity which lie ahead...Be a light unto the world, a standard to others. You can live in the world and not partake of the sins of the world. You can live life joyously, beautifully, unmarred by the ugliness of sin. This is our confidence in you.
I really enjoyed my youth and keeping the standards certainly did not prevent me from having fun or making friends, quite the opposite. Maintaining your standards can most certainly lead you to 'live your life joyously and beautifully'....and that's got to be a great way to live!
