Elder Yoon Hwan Choi: Leaders, Church meetings soften 'loud young men'
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"I would like to tell you about a group of loud young men who came into my life when I was a young bishop in Seoul, Korea, many years ago," said Elder Yoon Hwan Choi of the Seventy during the priesthood session.
Most not members of the Church, the boys would gather at the meetinghouse on weekdays and Saturdays and were rowdy and loud, he said. Eventually, with the help of a missionary with musical talent, the loud boys were organized into a singing group.
They were welcome at the Choi home where they were taught the principles of the gospel, how to apply it in their lives, and were given a vision of their future lives.
Elder Choi continued, "Over time, nine of the boys who were not members were baptized. They changed from loud, rowdy boys into 'valiant stripling warriors' (Alma 53:20-22)."
They served missions and married in the temple and are now leaders in their wards and stakes. Elder Choi said those nine loud boys have become, with their wives and children, 45 active members of the Church.
"There are two basic principles that helped these young men become like the sons of Helaman," Elder Choi said. "Even though their mothers were not members of the Church and did not understand the words of the Lord, priesthood leaders became like their fathers and leaders' wives became like their mothers. …
"They also learned that attending their Church meetings was very important. … As they attended their Church meetings regularly, the boys felt the great love of the Lord and learned how to apply the doctrines and principles of the Church in their own daily lives. They also learned how to participate in meetings with great joy and happiness."
Elder Choi counseled, "Dear brethren, let us love our boys although some of them are loud boys. Let us teach them to change their lives."
He added, "Dear young men, let us obey the leaders of the Church. … And please faithfully attend your Church meetings."
