Fifty years and more than 2.5 million miles of worldwide travel later, President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve still has an ever-deepening interest in the seminary and institute programs of the Church, and more particularly in the youth of the Church.
“We invest in our youth,” President Packer said during the seminary centennial broadcast held in the Conference Center on Jan. 22. “We know of your worth and potential. I speak as one who has seen the past and would prepare you for the future.”
The broadcast — which was transmitted to seminaries worldwide — gathered students, parents and teachers to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the seminary program and was presided over by President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors in the First Presidency, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
“You are growing up in enemy territory,” President Packer said. “When you become mature spiritually, you will understand how the adversary has infiltrated the world around you. He is in homes, entertainment, the media, language — everything around you. In most cases, his presence is undetected. Pornography is just one example.”
Directing his remarks to the seminary students of the Church, President Packer spoke of the things that are the most desirable and of the most worth that youth can do to stay strong, even in enemy territory.
“For young men and young women the process is the same,” he said. “Discovering how the Holy Ghost operates in your life is the quest of a lifetime. Once you have made that discovery for yourself, you can live in enemy territory and will not be deceived or destroyed. No member of this Church — and that means each of you — will ever make a serious mistake without first being warned by the promptings of the Holy Ghost.”
It is through using the Holy Ghost as a guide and protective influence that individuals are able to do good and stay away from harm.
“You can quickly learn to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost,” he said. “This power of revelation from the gift of the Holy Ghost operates on principles of righteousness.”
President Packer spoke of the important role righteousness is in keeping the lines of communication with the Spirit open.
“You cannot lie or cheat or steal or act immorally and have those channels remain free from disruption,” he said. “Do not go where the environment resists spiritual communication. You must learn to seek the power and direction that is available to you, and then follow that course no matter what.”
Sharing a “to do” list with the youth, President Packer spoke of things individuals can do in their lives to have the direction of the Spirit.
Prayer. “Most of the time, your prayers will be silent,” he said. “You can think a prayer.”
Parents and teachers are oftentimes concerned about the day that their children or youth are left on their own. It is through understanding that the influence of a Heavenly Parent is always there, that youth are able to have extra strength in their lives.
“Sometimes it is hard for young people to confide in their parents,” he said. “You can always have a direct line of communication with your Father in Heaven. Do not allow the adversary to convince you that no one is listening on the other end. Your prayers are always heard. You are never alone!”
Be clean, he counseled. Part of being clean is following the Word of Wisdom and taking care of one's own body, President Packer said.
“The Word of Wisdom does not promise perfect health but that the spiritual receptors within you might be strengthened,” he said. “Stay away from tattoos and similar things which deface your body. Do not do that which would dishonor yourself, your parents, or your Father in Heaven. Your body was created in His image.”
Unworthy people can be uncomfortable in the presence of someone who is virtuous, President Packer said. He counseled the youth that they must not be embarrassed by the teasing they might get from others around them because, in the end, many will understand and respect them for their values.
Another important topic President Packer shared with the youth is that gender is set in the pre-mortal world.
“This matter of gender is of great concern to the Brethren, as are all matters of morality,” he said. “A few of you may have felt or been told that you were born with troubling feelings and that you are not guilty if you act on those temptations. Doctrinally we know that if that were true your agency would have been erased, and that cannot happen. You always have a choice to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost and live a morally pure and chaste life, one filled with virtue.”
Quoting from President Gordon B. Hinckley, President Packer said: “We want to help … strengthen [those who consider themselves gays and lesbians], to assist them with their problems and to help them with their difficulties. But we cannot stand idle if they indulge in immoral activity, if they try to uphold and defend and live in a so-called same-sex marriage situation. To permit such would be to make light of the very serious and sacred foundation of God-sanctioned marriage and its very purpose, the rearing of families.”
Just as Adam and Eve had the ability to choose for themselves, so do individuals today.
“You have that same agency,” President Packer said. “Use it wisely to deny acting on any impure impulse or unholy temptation that may come into your mind. Just do not go there, and if you are already there, come back out of it. ‘Deny yourselves of all ungodliness.’
“Do not tamper with the life-giving powers in your body alone or with members of either gender. That is the standard of the Church, and it will not change. As you mature, there is a temptation to experiment or explore immoral activities. Do not do that!
President Packer spoke of the importance of doing all in one's power to overcome immoral conduct, however difficult that may be.
“The key word is discipline — self discipline,” he said. “The word 'discipline' comes from the word 'disciple' or follower. Be a disciple/follower of the Savior, and you will be safe.”
To those who are guilty of serious mistakes, President Packer reminded them that it is “never too late,” and that they “have been taught at home and in seminary about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
“The Atonement is like an eraser. It can wipe away guilt and the effect of whatever it is that is causing you to feel guilty,” he said. “Guilt is spiritual pain. Do not suffer from chronic pain. Get rid of it. Be done with it. Repent, and, if necessary, repent again and again and again until you — not the enemy — are in charge of you.”
Because life is a succession of trials and errors, President Packer said that it is important for all to repent often.
“This will bring you lasting peace that cannot be purchased at any earthly price,” he said. “Understanding the Atonement may be the one most important truth that you can learn in your youth.
“If you are associating with others who drag you down instead of building you up, stop and change company. You may be alone and lonely at times. The important question may be asked then, ‘When you are alone, are you in good company?’ If you are doing something that you know is wrong, stop it. Stop it now.
“Unwinding a habit that you have allowed to entangle you can be difficult. But the power is in you. Do not despair.”
It is through choosing to repent that individuals are able to receive a testimony and know that the gospel is true, President Packer said.
“You are not ordinary. You have a very special life. You are exceptional,” he said. “How do I know that? I know that because you were born at a time and in a place where the gospel of Jesus Christ can come into your life through the teachings and activities of you home and of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
It is through doing what one knows to be right that individuals will bless their own lives, as well as their posterity, he said.
“Do not squander these years of seminary instruction. Take advantage of the great blessings you have to learn the doctrines of the Church and the teachings of the prophets. Learn that which is of most worth. It will bless you and your posterity for many generations.”
President Packer also warned the youth about entitlement.
“They expect that everything will be freely provided for them,” he said. “If that pattern is in your thinking, get rid of it. If you want to be happy, you must pay the price through obedience. The restraints that you face against wrongdoing are an enormous protection for you.”
Once individuals have self-control in their lives, they will not need to be told what to do all of the time, and will find their way and know where they fit in, President Packer said.
“Some of you are floundering about and struggling to find what you will do,” he said. “It does not really matter what you choose to do for a living. What matters most is what and who you will be. You have the guidelines to know that. Remember, the Spirit is always with you to teach you. …
“Do not fear the future,” President Packer said. “Do not fear what is ahead. Go forward with hope and faith. Remember that supernal gift of the Holy Ghost. Learn to be taught by it. Learn to seek it. Learn to live by it. Learn to pray always in the name of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of the Lord will attend you, and you will be blessed. We have deep and profound faith in you.”
In addition to President Packer's remarks, the broadcast included a short video showing the growth of the seminary program and President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, speaking to the youth about the importance of seminary. President Eyring’s mother was one of the members of the first seminary class held in 1912. Elder Paul V. Johnson, of the Seventy and commissioner of the Church Education System also spoke. Brother Chad H. Webb, administrator of seminaries and institutes of religion for the Church conducted.
“The most important ‘great things’ that have resulted from that humble beginning 100 years ago aren’t the size of the program or the numbers of buildings and teachers, but, most important are the great things that have happened in the lives of millions of students over the years as they have been willing to do some small things,” Elder Johnson said. “Small things like attending class and studying the scriptures daily and then living the principles of the gospel in their daily lives. As they have done these small things, great things have been brought to pass in their lives.”
