Are LDS teens remarkable?
Absolutely! But sometimes they don’t feel like they are. And I understand 100%.
When I was a teenager I often heard quotes saying that my generation was “marked” or “chosen”.
And it sounded really cool.
But I didn’t feel marked or chosen.
I felt really self conscious, and prone to acne, and like I needed more friends. I honestly didn’t believe that I was one of the “marked” or “chosen” ones.
But even though I couldn’t feel it, it was still true.
And it’s true about you even more than it was for me.
You are an absolute hero.
You were saved for the last days on purpose.
You were chosen to come to earth at this time because you are a valiant son or daughter of God.
But what does that really mean for you as an LDS teen?
And what if you don’t feel all that “chosen” or “heroic”? Does it mean you’re not included when prophets talk about the greatness of your generation?
Today we’re going to talk about why teenagers today (even the ones who feel the least chosen and heroic!) are absolutely remarkable with REMARKABLE things to do.
We’re going to get to the proof, but first I want to talk about the problem… not feeling like a part of this heroic generation.
Can a Hot Mess Like Me Be a Hero?
Because here’s the thing- we all have pretty lofty goals for ourselves that we regularly fail to meet. Basically, this happens to me every day.
It’s kind of like Nephi feels in 2 Nephi, he said:
Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
2 Nephi 4:16
Do you ever feel like that? Maybe you’ve read a really great scripture verse, or attended an awesome fireside, or listened to Elder Holland speak on literally any subject in the world… and you’re just on fire! You love the gospel, you delight in it, and you want to keep that feeling forever!!
But then you get home and find your little brother using your makeup for his warrior face paint, or your mom nags you to do your chores for the millionth time, or you get a text from a frenemy that makes you feel about an inch tall.
Even Heroes Feel Unheroic
In moments like these, you can probably relate to Nephi when he said:
Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord… my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man [or girl] that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins.
2 Nephi 4:17-19
Personally, I feel that way on a daily basis.
I want to be so good, I want to feel chosen and heroic, but I’m just so very… mortal.
And quite honestly, it can be hard to feel like you’re part of a marked or chosen generation when you’re chasing your brother down the hall, or murmuring under your breath because you have to do chores, or crying yourself to sleep because people are so mean.
Those all feel like very un-heroic emotions, right?
But the key to your peace and your power is the same as Nephi’s. After bemoaning all his weaknesses he said:
Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
Agh! Don’t you love that?!
You are not a chosen generation because you can make it on your own. You weren’t saved for the last days because you are the one and only generation that doesn’t need Jesus.
You are chosen because you have the ability to do great things with Christ- greater than any other generation has done!
Don’t believe me?
Well let’s get to the proof.
**And if you’d love a good self confidence boost, check out our free Self Confidence Cheat Sheet for LDS Girls
Proof That You’re Remarkable
First I have to point something out- God doesn’t lie.
And because God doesn’t lie, His prophet doesn’t either.
D&C 1:38 reminds us that when the prophet speaks under the power of heaven, it is the same as God speaking to us himself.
So when I read this next quote from President Nelson I want you to remember that his words are gospel truth. He said:
A prophet of God (speaking for God) says that you’re a hero. That should be enough. But let’s keep going.
One of my very favorite quotes that is a reminder of who you and I are, comes from the amazing Sheri Dew.
Read her beautiful, spiritual, and totally logical explanation of why you are absolutely remarkable.
We know that these are the last days. Our Church’s name says it all! This is “the generation that must be prepared to meet their God.”
And God knows it.
He has always known it.
And so, as part of His perfect plan, He held onto you!
Despite millions of generations of spirits being sent to earth over thousands and thousands of years, He did not send you.
He saved you for the last days, because He knew He could count on you.
Don’t Get Comfortable on that Couch
Now, this all sounds very nice- you can go to bed tonight with a smile on your face because God can count on you.
But what all this means is that when you get up in the morning, you better get to work.
You were saved for the last days not just because God knew you could survive them- but because he knew you could make an impact!
I love these words from President Hinckley:
You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others…
You cannot simply sit in your laboratory or your library and let the world drift along in its aimless way. It needs your strength, your courage, your voice in speaking up for those values which can save it.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, BYU Devotional, Sept 17, 1996 (emphasis added)
Unlike previous generations, it is not enough to beat Satan on your own terms. You need to get out and help others beat him too- in whatever way that looks for you.
It is your job to add light to a darkening world, and not just in your own home, but among everyone you meet.
No, Really! You!
And if you think there are others who are better equipped to do that work, you are mistaken.
This quote teach that powerfully:
There is an urgency as never before about what needs to be done; and be sure of this, what needs to be done will be done on schedule, we hope by those initially foreordained to the task. But just as surely as night follows the day, if we choose not to accept our station, or if we grow weary along the way, placing less important things first, there will be substitutes raised to take our place, that the Lord’s time-plan and ultimate purposes will not be thwarted.
Youth of Zion, stand up and be counted, have the courage of your convictions, and whatever you do, don’t allow someone else to be a substitute for you in the kingdom of your Heavenly Father.
Elder Robert L. Simpson, “Youth of Zion, Stand Up and Be Counted!” Improvement Era, December 1963, p. 1101
Did you catch that?
God has a work for you to do- a specific divine mission for you and your life. Actually, throughout your life He will have many specific divine missions for you to fulfill.
And whether or not you’re ready for them, those missions will be fulfilled– if not by you, then by a substitute who cannot do it as well as you.
There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well as you. If you do not prepare to do them, they will not be done. Your mission is unique and distinctive for you. Please don’t make another have to take your place. He or she can’t do it as well as you can.
Elder H. Burke Peterson
You were prepared in heaven and in this life for your personal missions- don’t let all that preparation go to waste!
Your Challenge
So, does it feel cool to be part of this heroic and chosen generation?
Sure does!
You can go to bed with the reassurance that God can count on you.
But tomorrow and every day after you, as an LDS teen, need to work to show God that His trust was not misplaced.
**If you enjoyed this article and would like even more of a self confidence boost, grab the free Self Confidence Cheat Sheet for Latter-day Saint Girls at www.rubygirl.org/selfconfidence and share the article using the social links below!
