While facing the trials of young adulthood and making eternally important decisions, we must look up to Heavenly Father for help, peace, and direction.
Photo by Olia Gozha
The faith of many millennials has been tested as they have seen peers stray from God’s path. Elder Robert D. Hales speaks to young adults in his general conference talk “Meeting the Challenges of Today’s World,” noting that many millennials “resist organized religion. Many are in debt and unemployed. A majority like the idea of marriage, but many are reluctant to take that step. . . . Without the gospel and inspired guidance, many are wandering in strange paths and losing their way.”
To avoid these pitfalls, Elder Hales counsels young adults to pursue an education, avoid debt, and date with the intent to marry. He also counsels, “Be careful about taking advice from your peers. If you want more than you now have, reach up, not across!” While we certainly should reach up to parents, grandparents, priesthood leaders, and others, there is someone else who is supremely “up.” Our Father above will never lead us astray. By consistently reaching up to him, millennials will be able to rise above the hardships and temptations of the world.
Heavenly Father wants to bless us with guidance regarding spiritual matters as well as provide us with knowledge, secular guidance, comfort, and happiness. Elder Hales reminds us: “Remember, no one can reach upward on your behalf. Only your faith and prayers will cause you to lift yourself and have the mighty change of heart. Only your resolve to be obedient can change your life.”
Read Elder Hales’s full talk, “Meeting the Challenges of Today’s World,” to learn what else millennials have the power to accomplish with the Lord on their side.
Source: LDS General Conference
—Brett Peper Ruff, Mormon Insights
feature image by nathan mcbride
Find more insights
Check out “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth,” by President Gordon B. Hinckley, to learn about what Heavenly Father wants for you
Watch or read President Russell M. Nelson‘s devotional address “Becoming True Millennials” to learn how to fulfill your premortal mission.