A shop in downtown Salt Lake City targeting the youth market displays a T-shirt that bears the slogan: "I can't; I'm Mormon."

In a milieu pervaded by Latter-day Saint faith and culture, the message is intended to amuse — perhaps even lampoon. It draws attention to the comparatively strict standards by which Latter-day Saints govern their conduct pertaining to such matters as the Word of Wisdom, chastity and Sabbath day observance.

Viewed from a gospel perspective, however, the message might be expressed more appropriately in these words: "I won't; I'm Mormon."

Instead of a repressive code, the altered wording reflects an affirmative choice, borne of moral agency and a confident and clear understanding of one's own eternal nature and divine potential.

Faithful Latter-day Saints, young and old, intuitively understand the great scriptural concept that, by virtue of the atonement of Christ, they are free to act for themselves rather than being "acted upon" (See 2 Nephi 2:26).

Moses, after being shown a glorious vision of God and all His creations, was confronted by Satan, who "came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me.

"And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory that I should worship thee?

"Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not; for God said unto me; Thou art after the similitude of mine Only Begotten" (Moses 1:12-13; 16).

When young people learn their divine nature and potential, it has the effect of mitigating or nullifying Satan's influence. When confronted with temptation, they are thus fortified and in a position, in effect, to say, "Get thee hence, Satan."

In another context, the words on the above mentioned T-shirt might be revised yet again to say, "I will; I'm Mormon." Far beyond avoiding ungodly behaviors, gospel standards involve doing works of righteousness: drawing close to Heavenly Father through prayer, worship, scripture study and service to others.

The "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet, highlighted in this special edition of the Church News, features a photograph of the Salt Lake Temple on its cover. It is an apt illustration because, by following the 18 standards outlined in the pamphlet, Latter-day Saint youth prepare themselves to enter the temple one day, where they will make covenants pertaining to everlasting life, exaltation and eternal increase. Being "Mormon" involves lofty aspirations indeed.

Driving home from a school leadership conference, a group of high school students were involved in a serious car crash. One of the young men, a senior class officer and member of the football team, died from his injuries a few days later.

The surviving students and the grieving father consoled one another. The father shared with the young people the comfort he had felt when, while cleaning out his son's room, he had found the boy's scriptures, the missionary journal of his mother who had passed away a year earlier, some member-missionary "pass-along cards," some Articles of Faith cards, a copy of the New Era magazine and a compact disc recording of an inspirational talk. The items were not stacked together on a shelf, but were strewn about in the manner one might see in a teenager who included them in the natural course of day-to-day living.

Taking his friends aside, one of the surviving young men imparted this thought: How much more difficult the tragedy would have been had the father discovered illegal drugs or pornography in his son's room.

If, through our godly conduct, we would bring credit to mortal parents, how much greater it is to honor and please our eternal Father, who desires to give us all that He has!

Ultimately, the strength of youth is and will be their knowledge and conviction of that divine relationship.