We live in a world filled with loud, confused and contentious voices. Some are even telling young people that being religious is holding them back. Parents and leaders are left to wonder how to encourage their children to live in a Christ-centered way.
Jaren Strader, a Latter-day Saint husband and father of three children from Spanish Fork, Utah, says he was one of those parents.
“However, recently I realized that I don’t need to cross my fingers and hope my kids turn out OK,” Strader said. “I believe that intentionally celebrating spiritual milestones will help my children be more motivated to stay strong and focused on what matters most.”
The Young Women and Young Men general presidencies agree. When youth are not excited to receive a temple recommend or the priesthood, we might be too quick to label them apathetic. Perhaps we are simply not celebrating these events enough.
“In the past, young people were celebrated when they received an Eagle award or a Young Women medallion. Even if the youth did not fully grasp the importance of what they had done, they clearly saw that it was a big deal,” Strader said. “The answer is not to return to a strong focus on external rewards, but to celebrate other events along the covenant path with similar enthusiasm.”
Rejoicing along the covenant path
When asked, “What’s the new Eagle?” Young Men General President Steven J. Lund said, “It’s called a temple recommend.”
Strader agreed. “That really rings true for me,” he said. “Being worthy of entering the Lord’s house is what is most important. That is really what I want for my children, so why haven’t I been celebrating that more? Of course, someone’s worthiness or lack thereof doesn’t have to be made public. I can celebrate one-on-one with my child or with grandparents.”
Throughout the scriptures, there is a theme of Heavenly Father celebrating or “rejoicing” when people stay on or return to the covenant path (see Luke 15:7 and Doctrine and Covenants 18:13). In Luke 15, the Savior teaches the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost prodigal son. In each case, when the lost was found, there was a celebration. The shepherd, the woman and the father all rejoiced and celebrated.
When Strader was ordained a teacher at age 14, he said the bishopric member seemed pressed for time. His ordination was brief with no conversation before or after. He is sure his parents were pleased, but they seemed more worried about getting home to get dinner on the table. All he was told about his new responsibility was that he would occasionally be assigned to bring a loaf of bread to Church for the sacrament.
“I’m sure everyone involved had good intentions, but the experience of becoming a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood was anticlimactic, to say the least,” Strader said. “Unfortunately, if there is no extra effort to highlight positive spiritual milestones, our children might not internalize how important they are.”
We can do better. Such a moment is a wonderful chance to rejoice — to share our testimonies and instruction with passion and conviction. Such moments allow us to show young people that we see them and are grateful for their positive choices and direction. Such celebrations can inspire youth to continue faithfully on the covenant path. If we wait to recognize good choices until mission calls are received and missionaries are set apart, we are waiting too long.
Ideas for intentional rejoicing
January is a great time to look ahead. As we make plans with class and quorum presidencies, other youth and parents, let’s include in those plans some intentional rejoicing. Here are some suggestions to consider:
- Parents can take their 8-year-old child out for a special dinner to honor his or her choice to be baptized. Youth could volunteer to babysit other siblings so the child can be alone with Mom and Dad.
- When possible, walk young people around the temple grounds when they get their first recommend. Talk about the importance of Jesus Christ in our lives and the covenants we make ourselves and vicariously for others in His house. If it is not on a Sunday, get some ice cream on the way home.
- Have a series of discussions with an individual child or small group focusing on preparing to enter the house of the Lord. These could be early morning for families or after Church or on Sunday evenings for youth in wards or branches. Point out the temple recommend questions found throughout the For the Strength of Youth guide.
- Have a father/son campout and discuss the restoration of the priesthood and the responsibilities of those who are ordained to its various offices.
- Have a mother/daughter outing to discuss the importance of patriarchal blessings and when you can know it is the right time to receive one.
- As you create your annual calendar, plan an evening toward the end of the year when parents and even extended family members can be invited as leaders highlight accomplishments of youth in quorum, class or ward groups.
