Teenage members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have some helpful new resources available to them as they strive to live the standards of their faith.
The Church has created lds.org/youth, a new Web site that uses multimedia and social networking to provide young Latter-day Saints with answers to their questions about faith and morality in today’s world.
The Web site includes detailed information from For the Strength of Youth , a pamphlet for teenage Latter-day Saints outlining standards rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Another section of the site offers regularly-updated messages from Church leaders about the issues youth face. Visitors will also find uplifting videos and as stories about other youth from all over the world. Youth are encouraged to share the site with friends and family members.
A core part of lds.org/youth is the “A Brand New Year” presentation. First launched in 2009, a “A Brand New Year” is produced and distributed to Church leaders worldwide on DVD. The presentation combines original music with instruction and personal vignettes to explore the impact of Church teachings in the everyday lives of teenagers.
“Each of you has your own personal challenges and each of you is on the pioneer trail toward eternal life,” Elder M. Russell Ballard, a senior leader of the Church, says in the DVD presentation. “You must always remember you are not alone. All over the world the youth of the Church are walking the gospel path with you.”
The DVD shares experiences from more than 1,200 youth in 25 different countries and speaking 17 different languages. Such worldwide distribution gives a broad international feel to the DVD.
“We have peers encouraging peers,” says David L. Beck, president of the Church’s organization for young men. “We feel like there is strength in numbers, but many LDS teens are teaching us that you can be strong if you are one, and your heart is where it should be. And as those youth in isolated areas of the world watch the DVD, they will understand that they are not really alone, that there are other LDS teens in the world like them.”
This new media outreach has potential to reach many young people from all over the world. Nearly 33,000 DVDs of “A Brand New Year: 2010 Youth Celebration” were produced to be distributed to leaders throughout the world. The productions were translated into 11 languages.