[Teachldsseminary] OT: Losing Our Youth

[Laura Clayton]

Popping in... Haven't been reading mail because there is no time right now, but I'd like to get your input on something... There is a young woman in our stake who we have been concerned about, and then something happened yesterday to get me thinking more deeply on this...

A friend and I went down to the Church Office Building yesterday because they needed about 30 people to sit in the audience while they filmed a YM/YW leadership training segment for the upcoming leadership training broadcast. (It's for the North America units, and goes all the way up to members at the North Pole!)

Anyway, I'm not serving in the YW's program right now, but it was an interesting experience. One of the sisters in the YW's presidency... I think it was a Sister Beck?... asked us, "Why do you think we are losing so many youth?" It was quiet, and no one seemed to be saying anything, so I raised my hand, and was immediately handed a microphone (yikes!)... and I said something along the lines that the youth don't have a deep enough testimony of who they really are as children of our Heavenly Father. They know it in their heads, but that testimony hasn't reached their hearts... once it reaches their hearts they will have an easier time making correct choices. Also, I said that the youth do not have a deep enough understanding of the power of the Atonement.

Well, after I made my comment, others started raising their hands. One woman said that she felt extra-curricular activities at school were becoming too much of a priority for our youth. While these things are fine and good, they (and many times their parents) were not prioritizing spiritual activities (YM/YW nights and activities) to come first in their lives. There were a few other comments, which I don't remember as well.

My question to you is the same as Sister Beck's(?)... Why are we losing so many of our youth?

Shalom u'vracha! 
("peace and blessings!") 

¸..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))            hugs,
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ -:¦:-      Laura
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* 
      ¸...¸ __/ /\____ ____
,·´º o`·,/__/ _/\_ //____/\
```)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | || |l±±±± | 
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-. :º°
As for me and my house, 
  we will serve the Lord.

Laura Clayton (aka Cherish) (SLC, UT) proud mama to:
Skyler; (21; RM - CA, LA Mission (Aug 2004-2006)
Kaylie (19; sports enthusiast & major crack-up!); 
Cami (17; talented performer & major drama queen!);
Josh (11; special needs, boxer, & beautiful example)
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