Elder John B. Dickson: Commit now to live the Lord's pattern
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To the youth of the Church, Elder John B. Dickson promised, "As you commit now to do the will of the Lord, He will help and strengthen you."
Further, he promised, "Your faith, trust and desire to follow Him will be your greatest key to success."
Speaking Saturday morning, Elder Dickson of the Seventy told the youth that committing now to live by the pattern the Lord has set will give them great strength.
"You have come into this world at a time that has been anticipated from the beginning — a time prior to the Second Coming of the Lord, in which, on one hand, the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness and, on the other, there is great turmoil, confusion and wickedness. The proving ground that you were born into is wonderful, affording great opportunities, but at the same time there is danger in abundance, even danger to one's very soul. Now is the time to commit yourself to the Lord as to what you will become during this mortal probation."
Elder Dickson counseled the youth to study the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. "Great happiness will come to you in this life and eternally if you decide now to live after the pattern that is set forth in its pages," he said.
Recounting the experience of a Church leader who made the decision to never use alcohol or tobacco, Elder Dickson said the pattern of making early commitments is beneficial. "The adversary will have very little power to tempt you with things that you have never touched," he said.
Members of the Church have been baptized and have made a covenant to take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ and keep God's commandments, he continued. "If mistakes are made, the gospel allows us to sincerely repent and be forgiven. Your commitment can begin from where you are presently, whether young or old, including repenting and forsaking sin where mistakes have already been made."
He counseled the youth to decide now to follow the Word of Wisdom, never cheat, pay tithing, have integrity, use clean language, dress modestly, have absolute moral cleanliness and sexual purity, observe the Sabbath, prepare for the temple and partake of the sacrament worthily.
"Success will come to you as you earnestly, prayerfully and humbly approach the Lord."
