Savior's influence

I believe the key to helping youth seek appropriate social activities is teaching them to identify the difference between the Savior's influence and Satan's role. The Savior promises freedom by making correct choices. Satan's role is to make everyone captive. If children recognize behavior that makes them a captive they will avoid it. If we show our youth that following the crowd will take away their freedoms, they will make correct choices. There is no singular time to teach this principle. This is a principle that must be demonstrated day in and day out. If parents and leaders set the right example, most children will follow. — Jay Martin, Palmdale, Calif.

'For the Strength of Youth'

We are parents of four, three still in their teens. When they are planning an activity, our children know they are always welcome to entertain their friends in our home. They have become very familiar with the First Presidency's "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet. This pamphlet covers it all: dating, dress and appearance, friendship, honesty, language, media, health (mental and physical), music, dancing, purity, etc.

We have encouraged our children to use this pamphlet as a guide to help determine if the activity planned is in accordance to what choices we should be making. As they leave our home, the last thing our children see are the words "Return with Honor" attached to the door. This serves as a quick reminder not to do anything they would be ashamed of while they are away from home. My husband and I have always told our children, "If you don't feel good about what you're doing, don't do it." And don't be afraid of saying it to your friends; there is probably someone else who feels the same way.

And always make sure your children have change in their pocket so they can call home, if necessary. — Stephen and Deby Howland, Sandy, Utah

Concerned parents

My youngest daughter just graduated and, thankfully, had a positive choice to be with her friends at a Parent-Network-sponsored post-grad party at the local YMCA. One hundred sixty-eight of her classmates attended and had a great time with basketball, volleyball, swimming, virtual fishing, an auction, karaoke, dancing and lots of food — all without drugs or alcohol of any type.

What made the difference? Parent-Network is a group of concerned parents who formed an organization to encourage wholesome activities for our youth by chaperoning parties, communicating with other parents to ensure that private parties were properly supervised without alcohol or drugs, supporting a curfew, and actually providing places to go after games and other school events.

It is a tremendous success in this area and is supported by the community. What a difference it has made to our peace of mind and also in our opportunity to spread the word that kids can have fun without the need for drugs and alcohol. — Julie Biolo, Green Bay, Wis.

Serves the youth

A year has passed since I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have received many blessings. One of them is the opportunity that the Church gives me to help the youth seek appropriate social activities against many dangerous activities in our society.

I'm a physical educator and my specialty is table tennis. Our meetinghouse in my city, Chosica, is well placed, and in summer 100 children and youth participate in table tennis games. Thanks to the Church this activity receives a good acceptance among the children of my city, and it is an open activity for all the youth. In addition, they have the opportunity to get to know our Church.

Now some schools are interested in this kind of sport, and I'm very happy. The Church gives me the opportunity to be useful to my society, to my city and to my country. — Luis Vera Moyoli, Lima, Peru

Safe environment

During the summer before my youngest child entered high school, she was invited to a party at the home of another LDS youth her age. His wise parents had encouraged him to invite a group of youth he knew from various wards in town. This gave the youth the opportunity to socialize as a group in a safe environment. There were games, music and food, which everyone brought, and the parents remained visible throughout the evening.

That was the beginning of a wholesome social life, as many other parents took turns providing the same kind of easy-to-give parties for the next several years. These friendships continued all through high school and beyond. — Anne Kirby