3 Nephi 1:29
Stand Out
Stand Out. Peer
pressure making you feel boxed in? Stand out by standing up for
what’s right. (See 1 Timothy 4:12.) Nov. 2003
12 Let
no man despise thy
youth; but be thou an example of
the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit,
in faith, in purity.
What
29 And
there was also a cause of much sorrow among the Lamanites; for
behold, they had many children who did grow up and began to wax
strong in years, that they became for themselves, and were aled
away by
some who were bZoramites,
by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those Gadianton
robbers.
The children were lead away from Christ. This resulted in some very
sad families and church members.
Why
Children” become for themselves”
means to me that they want to do their own thing and not follow their
parents. They rebel against the teachings they have been given. They
are easily lead astray at this point. Peer influence plays a big part
of it.
Pattern
Ex.
23:2
2
¶Thou shalt
not follow a
multitude to do evil;
neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to
wrest judgment:
Ex.
23:2
2
¶Thou shalt
not follow a
multitude to do evil;
neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to
wrest judgment:
Matt.
14:9
9
And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them
which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be
given her.
[even
John the baptist lost his life because of peer influence]
1
Tim. 4:12
12 Let
no man despise thy
youth; but be thou an example of
the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit,
in faith, in purity.
Pilate
did the same thing when he ordered Jesus to be crucified. He knew
what was right but followed the people's wills.
Christ
the
children were lead away from Christ.
Conference
Richard
G. Scott Of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Answer: You
can’t please God without upsetting Satan, so you will get pressure
from those he tempts to do wrong. Individuals who do wrong want you
to join them because they feel more comfortable in what they are
doing when others do it also. They may also want to take advantage of
you. It is natural to want to be accepted by peers, to be part of a
group—some even join gangs because of that desire to belong, but
they lose their freedom, and some lose their lives. One of the
hardest things for you to recognize is how truly strong you already
are and how others silently respect you. We have great confidence in
you. You don’t need to compromise your standards to be accepted by
good friends. The more obedient you are, the more you stand for true
principles, the more the Lord can help you overcome temptation.2 You
can also help others because they will feel your strength. Let them
know about your standards by consistently living them. Answer
questions about your principles when you are asked, but avoid being
preachy. I know from personal experience that works.
No
one intends to make serious mistakes. They come when you compromise
your standards to be more accepted by others. You be the strong one.
You be the leader. Choose good friends and resist peer pressure
together.
APRIL
2005 | Be
Thou an Example
Thomas
S. Monson First
Counselor in the First Presidency
Today,
permissiveness, immorality, pornography, and the power of peer
pressure cause many to be tossed on a sea of sin and crushed on the
jagged reefs of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and
shattered dreams.
Precious
young women, and you mothers, Young Women leaders, and
advisers, may I leave with you a code of conduct to guide your
footsteps safely through mortality and to the celestial kingdom of
our Heavenly Father. I have divided my code of conduct into four
parts:
First,
you have a heritage; honor it. There come thundering to our ears the
words from Mount Sinai: “Honour thy father and thy mother.”2
Essential
to your success and happiness is the advice “Choose your friends
with caution.” We tend to become like those whom we admire, and
they are usually our friends. We should associate with those who,
like us, are planning not for temporary convenience, shallow goals,
or narrow ambition—but rather with those who value the things that
matter most, even eternal objectives.
Maintain
an eternal perspective. Let there be a temple marriage in your
future. There is no scene so sweet, no time so sacred as that very
special day of your marriage. Then and there you glimpse celestial
joy. Be alert; do not permit temptation to rob you of this blessing.
Apply
Stay
grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ through study, prayer and
keeping covenants. Be a good example to others. Serve Him.
Strengthen those around you.
Hymns
239-Choose
The Right-
Children
158-
Dare To Do Right
160-Choose
the right Way
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