Hales - Fulfilling our Duty to God - October 2001

Elder Hales speaks about the new program that the church launched for Young Men called the Duty to God program.  Although changes will come to the program over the coming years, he speaks about the purpose of the program is to help prepare Young Men to receive the higher priesthood and prepare for a mission, temple marriage, and eternity.  He speaks of the challenges that face our youth and the need for things in their lives that help them take on these challenges.

• There has never been a time in these latter days like today, when the message is being brought forward so strongly by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to have parents along with bishops and priesthood and auxiliary leaders make sure you young men understand who you are and what you can become—not only here in mortality but for the eternities that will follow.
  
• The Duty to God Award will assist young men to meet the future challenges of life and to achieve the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood.
  

He outlines the program and what you will accomplish in each area.

• As you earn the Duty to God Award, you will complete goals in the following areas:
  
  • Be faithful in your priesthood duties and standards
    
  • Be involved in family activities
    
  • Participate in quorum activities
    
  • Complete a Duty to God service project
    
  • Accomplish personal goals in each of four categories, the center being priesthood duties: spiritual development; physical development; educational, personal, and career development; and citizenship and social development.

He offers a promise to us that if we obtain the Duty to God award, we will be ready for future challenges and our testimonies will be strengthened.

• If you will fulfill the requirements for these priesthood duties and personal attributes, you will prepare yourselves for the Melchizedek Priesthood responsibilities and future challenges in your life. I promise you that your achievement of the Duty to God Award will provide you with a living testimony that will sustain you throughout your life.
  
• Some of the great blessings of these programs that have been developed are that as the youth of the Church, you will have a clear understanding of who you are, you will be accountable for your actions, you will take responsibility for the conduct of your life, and you will be able to set goals so that you might achieve what you were sent to earth to achieve. Our plea is that you strive to do your very best.
  

He counsels the Young Men to rely on the Spirit and to make and keep sacred covenants.  By doing so, we will be prepared for the trials of our lives and know the source of our true, eternal happiness.

• Young men, get on your knees each day and express to God the desires of your heart. He is the source of all wisdom and will give you answers to your prayers. Be humble and willing to listen to the whisperings of the Spirit. Read the scriptures daily. Strengthen your testimony. Pay tithes and fast offerings. Remember and keep the covenants you made when you were baptized, and renew those covenants each week when you partake of the sacrament. Keeping your baptismal covenants now will help you prepare for the temple covenants you will make in the future.

I have had the opportunity to work with various Young Men on obtaining their Duty to God awards.  I have seen great changes come over them as they seek to find their place in God's plan for them.  I am grateful for an inspired program of growth and strength.  It truly provides guidance on how to grow in the gospel and how to grow closer to God.  Although the program is for Young Men of the church, it can help each of us to set personal goals, strengthen our understanding of gospel principles, and grow our personal testimonies of the Savior.  If you are looking for something to help you grow spiritually closer to Christ, this would be a good program to review.