President Boyd K. Packer on the opportunities of youth

President Boyd K. Packer (1924-2015) served as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve (a position that no longer exists) from 1961 to 1970, when he was called to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  He served as president of that Quorum from 1994 until his death in 2015 at age 90.

"Teenagers also sometimes think, 'What’s the use? The world will soon be blown all apart and come to an end.' That feeling comes from fear, not from faith. No one knows the hour or the day (see D&C 49:7), but the end cannot come until all of the purposes of the Lord are fulfilled. Everything that I have learned from the revelations and from life convinces me that there is time and to spare for you to carefully prepare for a long life....

"There may be more justice in who we are and what we have or do not have than we ever suppose.

"You are a child of God!

"What a wonderful time to be young. You will see events in your lifetime that will test your courage and extend your faith. If you will face the sunlight of truth, the shadows of discouragement and sin and error will fall behind you. You must never give up! It is never too late! There is no knight in black armor with such power as you may have if you live righteously."

- Boyd K. Packer, "To Young Women and Men," General Conference April 1989
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It's been 30 years since President Packer addressed these remarks to the youth of the Church in his conference address. He spoke to the youth at that time who were worried about the conditions of the world and what they viewed as a potential end of the world. But he reassured them that based on his knowledge of the Gospel plan, there was much still to be accomplished in the Lord's purposes and they would have adequate time to prepare.

We might ask ourselves how we believe the world's situation, and the state of completeness of the Lord's work, stand today, after 30 years have passed? Regardless, a great key to peace and happiness for each of us is to never forget that we each are a child of God, and He will care for us as we turn to Him.

This is a declaration of faith and hope. Though events will come during life that "test our courage and extend our faith," as long as we face the light of truth, we know the "shadows of discouragement and sin" will never block our view but will fall behind.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2019)