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On June 3, 2018, President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson addressed the youth of the Church in a worldwide devotional. Their entire addresses were published as supplements to the August New Era and Ensign magazines.

The talks were fabulous for youth—and their parents to hear. Here are a few excerpts:

Now I plead with each of you to do as the teenaged Joseph did. Take your questions directly to your Heavenly Father in prayer. Ask Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, to guide you. You can learn for yourself—right now at your age—how to receive personal revelation. And nothing will make a bigger difference in your life than that!

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I promise you that if you will sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you will have all the direction you will ever need in your life. You will be given answers to your questions in the Lord’s own way and in His own time.

When you know your life is being directed by God, regardless of the challenges and disappointments that may and will come, you will feel joy and peace.

…it’s time to stop comparing ourselves with others. It’s time to put away those erroneous views of ourselves and others. The truth is that we are not as hopelessly flawed as we may think, and others are not as perfect as they may appear—all except, of course, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

What were you born to do? How I wish you could watch a 10-minute video of your premortal life on YouTube…. I believe if you could see yourself living with your Heavenly Parents and with Jesus Christ; if you could observe what you did premortally and see yourself making commitments—even covenants—with others, including your mentors and teachers; if you could see yourself courageously responding to attacks on truth and valiantly standing up for Jesus Christ, I believe that every one of you would have the increased power, increased commitment, and eternal perspective to help you overcome any and all of your confusion, doubts, struggles, and problems. All of them!

Would you like to be a big part of the greatest challenge, the greatest cause, and the greatest work on earth today? Would you like to help gather Israel during these precious latter days? Would you, who are the elect, be willing to help find the elect who have not heard the message of the restored gospel? Would you like to be among those “swift messengers” of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke?

Our Heavenly Father has reserved many of His most noble spirits—perhaps, I might say, His finest team—for this final phase. Those noble spirits—those finest players, those heroes—are you!

President Nelson invited all the youth to enlist in the youth battalion of the Lord to help gather Israel. He then explained what that meant and he gave them five challenges to get them ready for it.

Download the address “Hope of Israel,” by President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Wendy W. Nelson, Worldwide Youth Devotional, June 3, 2018.

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