Local youth receive wise counsel at fireside, part 1 of 2

fotopedia - Jean-Marie Hullot

Youth of the Fort Collins stake attended a fireside last Sunday presented by the stake presidency and other youth leaders.

President Joe Goodell, second counselor in the stake presidency, made a presentation entitled "Keep your guards with you, but always stay on top of the mount." This presentation referred to Alma 47, an account of the wicked Amalickiah, who finally persuaded Lehonti to come down from the safety of a mountain. When Lehonti finally descended, he was poisoned 'by degrees' by Amalickiah's servant, and he died.

President Goodell asked the young men and women, "What are your guards today?" His answer: diligent scripture study, prayers, church attendance, and temple activity.

Satan's plan is to poison us 'by degrees', or just a little bit at a time, using poison such as drugs, cigarettes, internet pornography, and passionate kissing. President Goodell cautioned youth to not be so open-minded that they allow trash to be thrown into their minds.

President Robert Morain, first counselor in the stake presidency, told the youth that our Heavenly Father recognizes, and even planned for, our weaknesses. He knew that we would not do everything right. That's why we must draw near unto our Savior who was prepared from the beginning.

"We may fail in our works, but where is our heart? Where is our real desire? What do we really want? That is the real test of our earth life, for what we truly desire is what we ultimately will have. In the end, it's not what commandments we keep, but what commandments we want to keep," he said.

President Morain told the young women and young men that a loving God, knowing we would make mistakes, prepared a way for us to return to Him through repentance. "Repentance is not a fearful, frightful thing. We make all sorts of mistakes, but if we're humble, we seek out and listen to the voice of our Heavenly Father."

If you would like to know more about the LDS faith, you can visit Mormon.org or call the local full-time missionaries in Fort Collins at (970) 631-2311.