As parents, we are well aware of and often amazed by the strength, goodness and potential of our children. Yet, even as we recognize their power, possibilities and opportunities, we share a deep concern for their spiritual well being. Even the most valiant of them face ever-increasing spiritual dangers. President James E. Faust of the First Presidency said recently, "Much of what comes from the devil is alluring and enticing. . . . I also believe that in the future the opposition from Satan will be both more subtle and more open." (April Conference 2003.)

Amanuel Hailemiriam Manafiria, right, his wife, Mebrah Kassa Iyele, and their children, from left, Wondiwusem, Dani and Fitsum, are members in Awassa, Ethiopia.

Photo by Scott G. Winterton

Scott and Penny Morrison of the Sandy Utah Mount Jordan Stake enjoy playing a board game with their children, from left, Kim, Holly, Jeff and Steven. Such times together strengthen families and provide teaching moments.

How can we protect, strengthen and encourage our children and send them into the future with faith and hope?

As Lehi and his family prepared for their journey they were given the Liahona, "a round ball of curious workmanship; . . . And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go into the wilderness." (1 Nephi 16:10.)

Among those things provided us by the Lord and His prophets to point our way through spiritual wilderness is the "For the Strength of Youth" booklet. This booklet is directed specifically to our youth who ". . . are choice spirits who have come forth in this day when the responsibilities and opportunities, as well as the temptations, are the greatest."

Some of the most important guidelines and gospel principles taught by the prophets are found in this pamphlet. In the introduction the First Presidency has stated, "We testify that these principles are true."

Joseph Smith, when asked how he governed his people so well, responded "I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves." (Messages of the First Presidency, Vol. 3 , p. 154.)

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve explained, "Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances." (Conference Report, October 1993 p. 117.)

As parents we have the responsibility to teach our children correct principles like those in the "For the Strength of Youth" booklet and to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4.) They can then apply these principles with confidence in what is often a confusing world with many seductive voices vying for their attention.

The "Strength of Youth" pamphlet is a wonderful teaching resource for Family Home Evening lessons, informal gospel-centered discussions at the dinner table or quiet one-on-one moments with individual children. "For the Strength of Youth" deals candidly with a variety of topics important for all Latter-day Saint youth, such as family and friends, entertainment and the media, sexual purity, education, service and going forward with faith.

The temple on the cover reminds us of eternal goals and aspirations. The picture of the Savior on the first page reminds us that we have taken His name upon us. The First Presidency introduction speaks with great love and wisdom to our youth. Each section of the pamphlet has wonderful counsel based on the doctrines and principles of the gospel. These principles are stated clearly and are accompanied with enough specific examples to help guide the youth to appropriate application in their own lives.

As we teach from this pamphlet there are a few key things to keep in mind: the crucial role of example, the ability to ask good questions, and the power of the Holy Ghost especially as it is manifest in the sharing of personal experiences and testimony.

Example continues to be one of the great keys to good teaching. If we expect our youth to truly understand the principles and standards found in "For the Strength of Youth" and to use them to govern their day-to-day actions we, as parents, should understand and live according to the principles found in the booklet. Nephi discovered that the pointers in the Liahona worked according "to the faith and diligence and heed" (1 Nephi 16:28) which they gave to them. So it is with the principles found in the "Strength of Youth" booklet. Our degree of faith, diligence and heed will greatly influence the faith, heed and diligence of our children.

Another key to good teaching is the ability to ask good questions. This is a skill we can learn. Questions are more likely to stimulate thinking and foster heart-felt responses when they lead those being taught to search for information, help them clarify and understand what they are studying, and encourage them to apply what they have learned in their own lives.

Good questions often begin with words such as what, how, and why. "Yes" and "no" questions rarely stir the heart and mind. Questions that cause others to think and feel about things of the Spirit will invite the Holy Ghost more quickly than those focusing solely on facts.

A good thoughtful question deserves a thoughtful response. We should give our children time to think about their answer instead of rushing them or feeling like we have to provide an answer if our question is met with a few moments of silence. Questions or discussion of real life situations followed by time to search the pamphlet for answers can give our children time to respond more thoughtfully and feel more deeply.

Often encouraging our youth to write down an answer gives them the time and opportunity they need to respond thoughtfully. Writing can be used in a number of ways to help clarify thoughts and feelings and to plant them more deeply in the memory.

Sharing personal experiences as illustrations of a principle from the "Strength of Youth" can also help us teach our children. Wisdom and inspiration should dictate what is shared but, often, experiences that have helped us understand or apply a correct principle from the pamphlet can be an example to our children when they are faced with similar decisions or temptations. Such experiences will generally be more helpful when they illustrate a principle rather than dictating a specific course of action.

In almost all teaching situations the teacher learns more than the students. We should invite our youth to prepare lessons or parts of lessons from the "Strength of Youth" booklet. During their preparation and presentation of the material their understanding and commitment to live according to the standards and keep the commandments will be increased and reinforced.

Sharing testimonies with one another is another key to deepening commitment. Elder Boyd K. Packer (then of the Quorum of the Twelve) has taught, "It is one thing to receive a witness from what you have read or what another has said; and that is a necessary beginning. It is quite another to have the Spirit confirm to you in your bosom that what you have testified is true." (Ensign January 1983, pp. 54-55.)

The bearing of testimony does not always start by saying, "I'd like to bear my testimony." It can simply be a sincere expression of what we know to be true, or how we feel about a principle or application from the "Strength of Youth" and its importance in our life. Bearing testimony and encouraging our children to do so, invites, in a powerful way, the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Nephi taught, ". . . when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." (2 Nephi 33:1.)

In this time of great opportunity and great challenge for our children the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet contains page after page of true principles that can "divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the [youth] of Christ in a strait and narrow course. . . . And land their souls . . . at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven." (Helaman 3:29.)

Randall L. Hall, president of the Orem Utah Park Stake, is an assistant administrator with the Church Educational System. He and his wife, Lloya Frey Hall, are the parents of 11 children.