[0:01]My dear extraordinary youth, you were sent to earth at this precise time, the most crucial time in the history of the world to help gather Israel. There is nothing happening on this earth right now that is more important than that. There is nothing of greater consequence, absolutely nothing. This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to Earth. So my question to you is, are you willing to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel? Please think about it. Don't answer just yet. Let's return to other questions Sister Nelson and I asked our young friends. We asked, if the prophet invited every 12 to 18-year-old person in the Church to help and list to gather Israel, what would you be willing to do? The youth responded with inspiring comments such as, if the prophet invited us to enlist to help gather Israel, I absolutely would take part in it. Another said, I would drop everything I'm doing and help. Another, I would go and do whatever he asked me to do because the prophet is a preacher from God. Their answers also included, I would be willing to do more family history work. I would be more open and make a greater effort to talk with others about the gospel. I would be a good example in showing Christ-like attributes.
[1:54]I would do more baptisms for the dead, change aspects of how I live my life and the choices I make, travel anywhere he needs me to go, learn a new language, meet new people, lend my copy of the Book of Mormon to those who've never read it. And I would be the very kindest person I can be. We also asked these youth what they would be willing to sacrifice so they could help gather Israel. Again, the youth thrilled us.
[2:29]They responded, I would spend less time in sports so I could help a person in need of truth. I would sacrifice hanging out with friends and instead invite them to come to the temple. I'd definitely cut down on time on my phone. I'd give up some screen time. I'd even be willing to sacrifice Sunday afternoon naps. We asked, if you wanted to enlist to help gather Israel, what would you want to start doing or stop doing? They responded with such answers as, I would study the scriptures more and more intently so I could answer questions people might ask me. I would spend less time on social media, be more engaged in doing simple acts of member missionary work, including daily acts of service. I would spend less time on my phone and when I am on my phone, I would post scriptures or other spiritual messages on social media. I would study general conference talks because they are super important. I would eat healthy foods so I could stay fit. I would stop thinking everything is about me.
[4:00]Thank you, young brothers and sisters, for your answers to our questions. Think of this, my dear brothers and sisters. Right now, I am preparing for the day when I will be required to give an accounting to the prophet Joseph Smith. To President Brigham Young and the others and ultimately to the Lord about my stewardship as God's prophet upon the Earth today. I do not want to be asked, Brother Nelson, why were you not more clear with the youth about their part in gathering Israel? Why were you not more bold in enlisting them to participate? So now I am inviting every young woman and every young man between the ages of 12 and 18 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel. What will help you? As you continue to read daily from the Book of Mormon, you will learn the doctrine of the gathering, truth about Jesus Christ, His atonement, and the fullness of his gospel not found in the Bible. The Book of Mormon is central to the gathering of Israel. In fact, if there were no Book of Mormon, the promised gathering of Israel would not occur. And now I invite you to prepare yourself by doing five more things, five things that will change you and help you change the world. First, disengage from a constant reliance on social media in order to decrease its worldly influence upon you. So my first invitation to you today is to disengage from a constant reliance on social media by holding a seven-day fast from social media. My second invitation is to make a weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord for three weeks in a row to let him know that you want to be part of his youth battalion more than you want anything else. For three weeks, give up something you like to do and use that time to help gather Israel. My third invitation is for you to do a thorough life assessment with the Lord and perhaps with your parents or your bishop to ensure that your feet are firmly planted on the covenant path. My fourth invitation is for you to pray daily that all of God's children might receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. You and I are living to see and will continue to see Israel gathered with great power and you can be part of the power behind that gathering. My fifth invitation is for you to stand out, be different from the world. You and I know that you are to be a light to the world. Therefore, the Lord needs you to look like, sound like, act like, and dress like a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Now, let me summarize by reviewing my five invitations for you to enlist in the Lord's youth battalion to help gather Israel. One, hold a seven-day fast from social media. Two, make a weekly sacrifice of time to the Lord for three weeks. Three, keep on the covenant path.
[8:14]If you are off, repent and get back on the path. Four, pray daily that all of God's children might receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Five, stand out, be different, be a light. Give to a friend one copy of the booklet for the strength of youth.
[8:41]My beloved younger brothers and sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation. From the depths of my soul, I testify that this is the work of Almighty God. He lives. Jesus is the Christ. This is his Church, restored to accomplish his divine destiny, including the promised gathering of Israel. You are the hope of Israel, children of the promise day. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
