For The Strength of Youth
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| Author | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
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| Publisher | Intellectual Reserve, Inc. |
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Publication date
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1965 (1st ed.) 2011 (9th, current ed.) |
| OCLC | 23198861 |
"For the Strength of Youth" is a pamphlet distributed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) that "summarizes standards from scripture and from the writings and teachings of Church leaders." The pamphlet's target audience is young men and young women of the LDS Church, although its principles are applicable to all age groups and non-church-members alike. It is available on the Internet and in print form. The pamphlet was first published in 1965, and its 9th and most recent edition was released in 2011. The pamphlet was meant to be put "in the hands of every young person in each ward".
The LDS Church first published "For the Strength of Youth" in 1965. Subsequent editions were published in 1966, two in 1968, 1969, 1972, 1990, 2001, and most recently in 2011 (9th edition). The first edition of the pamphlet had 16 pages, while the ninth edition has 44 pages. Regarding the latest updated, Young Women general president Elaine S. Dalton said, "The standards have not changed, but times have changed.... For the Strength of Youth has been revised to address the issues youth face today—to teach them the doctrine behind the standards and the promised blessings of obedience." The covers evolved from a depiction of a family in the first five editions to depictions of youth in the 1972 and 1990 versions which were replaced with images of the Salt Lake Temple in the most recent editions, a reflection of what was called an "additional emphasis ... on living worthy to attend the temple" in the youth guidelines.
The current edition of the pamphlet discusses a variety of subjects, including dating, appearance, music and dancing, health, and sexual purity. The 1990 edition states that the "Lord specifically forbids ... masturbation" with the later two editions alluding to it with statements forbidding anything that "arouses" any sexual feelings or emotions in one's "own body".
The first explicit mention of homosexuality was contained in the 1990 seventh version of the pamphlet where it says, "the Lord specifically forbids ... sex perversion such as homosexuality". It continues "homosexual and lesbian activities are sinful and an abomination to the Lord" and "unnatural affections ... toward persons of the same gender are counter to God's eternal plan".
The 2001 eighth version removes any mention of "unnatural affections" and "abomination" and only states, "homosexual activity is a serious sin. If you find your-self struggling with same-gender attraction, seek counsel from your parents and bishop. They will help you."
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