Speaking to the young folks of the Church, Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve asked: "As a young man or woman of this generation, what are you doing to realize your extraordinary potential?"

Elder Richard G. Scott

He challenged the youth to discover who they really are.

"I invite you to look beyond the daily routine of life," Elder Scott said. "I urge you to discern through the Spirit your divinely given capacities. I exhort you to prayerfully make worthy choices that will lead you to realize your full potential."

The trials of full-time missionary work can bring about growth, he added. Missions are challenging, yet Elder Scott said he wouldn't change a thing, "because there are those golden moments of success that make all of the hardships worthwhile."

Great rewards come when the Spirit, through the missionaries, touches a heart for good.

"To share truth in difficult circumstances is to treasure it more," Elder Scott said. "When you push against the boundaries of experience into the twilight of the unknown, the Lord will strengthen you."

Elder Scott added that the Lord needs more capable, better prepared missionaries because the challenges are greater than ever.

"He needs those who are clean and pure so that they can be guided by the Spirit and can testify with converting power. Qualify to be one of those exceptional missionaries. It will not be easy. But when was anything really worthwhile easy?"

Personal worthiness is essential to meet the high standards of missionary service.

"You are a singular generation with exceptional potential," Elder Scott said. "No wonder Satan wants to cripple that potential by tempting you to violate the laws of God. He knows that he has no power over a righteous individual. Yet he is a master at making sin appealing to the undecided."

Preparation for a mission and meaningful life begins at home, he said. Parents should nurture each child's spiritual capacity and teach and champion the gospel.

"That foundation will equip a child to resist evil in the world. Encourage every son that is physically and emotionally able to prepare to serve worthily a full-time mission," Elder Scott counseled.

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders, he added, should also strengthen the spiritual capacity of the Church's youth. Young men and women should actively participate in Church, seminary and institute activities and gain a testimony of Joseph Smith's first vision.

"Try reading the Book of Mormon because you want to, not because you have to," Elder Scott encouraged. "Discover for yourself that it is true."

Young people can follow Moroni's counsel to ask God, with real intent, if the teachings of the Book of Mormon are true. "I know that you can receive a spiritual confirmation that it is true. You will then know that Jesus Christ lives, that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His Church. You will confirm that the Savior guides His Church through a living prophet. These truths will become a foundation for a productive life."

A worthy, full-time mission is the greatest "growth and strengthening" experience a young man can have if he is able, Elder Scott declared.

"All that I treasure most in life began to mature in the mission field. You can also earn such blessings."