Youth celebrate strength, courage
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
Wanting to capture the enthusiasm that accompanies a brand new year, general auxiliary leaders in the Church have created a DVD that they hope will inspire LDS teens to live on a higher level.
The message of the DVD — "A Brand New Year: 2010 Youth Celebration" — is simple, said Sister Elaine S. Dalton. "This is a brand new year. You can change and you can be better than you have ever been before. ... When a new year begins we are all more open to change."
Sister Dalton, Young Women general president, and Brother David L. Beck, Young Men general president, recently met with the Church News to discuss the DVD, as well as the 2010 Mutual theme for Latter-day Saint teens.
"I think they need to be reminded of who they are," said Sister Dalton. "They need to know their identity. They are not ordinary, they are not common. They are sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven."
The world wants Latter-day Saint teens to be average, she said. "Our message is to live on a higher level."
The Brand New Year program began last year with the release of a DVD that was filmed with more than 45,000 teens in the Conference Center. The 2010 film follows the same pattern but was filmed in locations throughout the world.
"A Brand New Year: 2010 Youth Celebration" is divided into 10 segments. Each segment is designed to help Latter-day Saint teens worldwide strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and live the standards found in "For the Strength of Youth."
The video highlights youth worldwide encouraging one another and sharing personal experiences. In addition to the testimonies of youth, the DVD also features messages from general youth leaders and an address from Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Set at This Is the Place Heritage Park on the east side of the Salt Lake Valley, Elder Ballard's remarks offer hope and direction. "We know you have made the world better through your striving to live the gospel of Jesus Christ," he said. "In many ways you are like the pioneers ... except in your journey you face new and challenging circumstances.
"Each of you has your own personal challenges and each of you is on the pioneer trail toward eternal life. You must always remember you are not alone. All over the world the youth of the Church are walking the gospel path with you."
This concept is illustrated in one moving scene on the DVD, when LDS teens from various areas of the world are shown singing the 2010 theme song "Be Strong" in different languages.
The DVD was mailed to all stakes, districts, wards and branches in the Church and has been produced in 11 languages: Cantonese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
Sister Dalton and Brother Beck asked that local priesthood leaders review the DVD and use it to introduce the annual Mutual theme in a New Year's Eve activity or other events. The DVD can also be used throughout the year for bishop's firesides, youth conferences, and special lessons.
Sister Dalton said President Thomas S. Monson wants the youth to gather together and strengthen one another. "'A Brand New Year' DVD can be used for that purpose," she said.
The 2010 theme — "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (Joshua 1:9)" — is intended to help teens maneuver through a challenging world, said Brother Beck. "Courage is an essential attribute for our youth," he said.
He and Sister Dalton want the youth to know they are not alone. "The Lord is with these youth," she said. "The Lord knows who they are. He trusts them. We trust them. We have great confidence in them."
Brother Beck said it is very inspiring to see youth stand strong in international areas where they may be one of just a few Church members. "We feel like there is strength in numbers. But many [LDS teens] are teaching us you can be strong if you are one and your heart is where it should be and you trust in the Lord."
And as those youth in isolated areas of the world watch the DVD, they will understand that they are really not alone, that there are other LDS teens in the world like them, he said.
She said the 2010 theme is part of a continued emphasis to help youth everywhere live standards.
"There is power in being worthy and living the standards. That comes through priesthood power and the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Sister Dalton and Brother Beck said the messages of the DVD can be used in flexible ways. In addition to youth auxiliary leaders, they said bishops and parents will find the resource helpful.
Brother Beck said there is a real international feel to the DVD, which features youth from numerous countries. "We have peers encouraging peers," he said. Their message: "You can do amazing things if you are worthy."
He noted that as he has traveled and met with youth worldwide, he has met many who don't know the yearly theme, which can unify and strengthen them. He hopes leaders will seize this opportunity of the DVD to teach the youth. "We have an opportunity to do a lot more," he said. "The youth, they are worth it. This is the rising generation. They are teachable and receptive and sensitive to the Spirit. This is a great resource to help teach them."
Sister Dalton said living standards for youth today is absolutely critical.
Her hope is to not only connect the youth together, but also to "connect them with the prophet of God, and to connect them with the very powers of heaven, to help them increase their faith and their testimony of Jesus Christ."
Brother Beck said they also need hope, which the DVD offers. "'You can do it.' That is a strong message on the DVD," he said.
For more information about "A Brand New Year: 2010 Youth Celebration" go to lds.org/abny2010/leaders. Sheet music for the 2010 theme song "Be Strong," as well as an MP3 recording of the selection and cell phone ring tones, will be available on the site Jan. 1.
