A few years ago my husband Dave took a challenge from president Munson to use the word of God to answer questions and problems in our interactions with others.  He spent many weeks studying out reasons WHY he chose to follow the standards and principles of the gospel from the scriptures and other words of God  (eg.why do I choose not to swear? Or drink alcohol?).

A week or two after completing this assignment, he had an encounter with a woman at work who earned the  nickname “swearing sailor,” due to her exceptionally foul language. She had noticed Dave didn’t swear, and asked him why. Because he had just spent time studying this, he was  prepared to answer using words from the scriptures. He shared teachings from James in the Bible to explain why he chose not to use foul language, and the woman’s heart was touched. The word of God has power, and the reasons made sense to her and felt right. She decided to try to make changes to her own life. Over the next weeks and months she slowly changed her heart and her language. 

The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet is also the word of God, and like the scriptures, it has power to  change lives.  As we study and understand it for ourselves and in our families, we will understand the “why” of our decisions, and be better prepared to make inspired choices, and to help others to do the same.