Beginning the first Sunday in September, the lessons in Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women meetings will focus on truths in the updated edition of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices.
This updated guide is available digitally now and will be available soon in print. The updated edition contains 12 chapters, with one chapter designated for study each month. The For the Strength of Youth magazine will offer additional resources to support each monthly theme.
Youth are invited to read the entire guide before September 6, becoming familiar with its teachings and learning how to use it as a lifelong resource for discipleship and decision-making.
To prepare youth and their families for the new curriculum, the Church has designated Sunday, August 30, 2026, the fifth Sunday of that month, as a worldwide discussion day for youth. On this Sunday, youth, their parents, youth leaders, and Primary children who will turn 12 in 2027 are invited to gather in their wards and branches to watch instructional videos provided by the Church and conclude with a local discussion. This special fifth-Sunday meeting will introduce the new curriculum, demonstrate how to use the guide effectively, and offer practical instruction on how youth can participate fully in weekly classes beginning September 6.
Overview of the Guide
For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices is designed to help young people build a solid foundation for making inspired choices that keep them on the path toward eternal life. Rather than providing a list of “yes” or “no” answers for every possible scenario, the guide invites youth to live in a higher and holier way by focusing on eternal truths revealed by Jesus Christ and His prophets. It serves as a resource to help youth prepare for sacred temple covenants, serve missions, and find lasting joy by making the Savior their rock-solid foundation.
The guide was written because the First Presidency has great confidence in the youth of the Church, viewing them as choice spirits sent to earth for important purposes. It aims to teach them that Jesus Christ is their strength and that by relying on Him, they can fulfill God’s purposes for them. By using these truths as a guide, youth can make choices that bless them now and throughout eternity, helping them to be an influence for good and prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Savior.
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: God’s plan is for you
This chapter outlines the plan of salvation, teaching that every person is a beloved spirit child of heavenly parents with a divine potential to become like God. It emphasizes that Jesus Christ was chosen as the Savior to help us progress through life’s difficulties and return to our Father in Heaven. The chapter teaches that marriage and family are essential to this plan and invites youth to keep an eternal perspective in all their choices.
Chapter 2: God wants to communicate with you
This chapter focuses on the principle of personal revelation, explaining that God speaks to His children through the Holy Ghost and living prophets. It teaches that the Spirit communicates through inspired thoughts in the mind and uplifting feelings in the heart, such as peace and joy. Youth are invited to seek God through daily prayer and scripture study—particularly the Book of Mormon—to better recognize and act on spiritual impressions.
Chapter 3: You can help with God’s work
God’s work is to bring about the “immortality and eternal life” of His children, and He invites youth to participate in this mission. The chapter outlines four key ways to help: living the gospel, caring for those in need, inviting others to receive the gospel, and uniting families through temple and family history work. It promises that as youth humbly offer their time and heart, they will be filled with joy and receive God’s help in their efforts.
Chapter 4: Jesus Christ will help you
This chapter teaches that Jesus Christ is our strength and that His Atonement makes it possible for everyone to repent and progress after making mistakes. Repentance is described not as a punishment, but as a joyful, ongoing process of turning toward God to receive forgiveness and a change of heart. The chapter encourages youth to make Christ their focus, seek the help of their bishop when needed, and trust that the Savior’s grace is sufficient to help them improve.
Chapter 5: Walk in God’s light
This chapter emphasizes that the Holy Ghost is a heavenly source of light that helps youth see the difference between right and wrong. It teaches that choices regarding media, technology, and social media profoundly affect their ability to feel the Spirit. Youth are invited to seek that which is uplifting and to have the courage to turn away from anything harmful or immoral, such as pornography or substance abuse.
Chapter 6: Love God, love your neighbor
Focusing on the two greatest commandments, this chapter teaches that love should be the primary motivation for obeying God. It encourages youth to treat everyone as a child of God, regardless of differences, and to use language that uplifts rather than hurts. The chapter also provides guidance on building wholesome friendships, showing love within the family, and following the law of tithing to support God’s work.
Chapter 7: Ordinances and covenants give you access to God’s blessings
This chapter explains that priesthood ordinances like baptism and the sacrament are sacred ceremonies that teach about Jesus Christ and connect us to God. Through these ordinances, individuals make covenants (sacred promises) that provide greater access to God’s power and the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Keeping these covenants allows youth to be clean, forgiven, and supported by a community of fellow covenant-keepers.
Chapter 8: Temple ordinances and covenants give you greater access to God’s blessings
The temple is presented as a holy place where youth receive the highest ordinances of the gospel: the endowment and sealing. These ordinances involve making deeper promises to God, such as obeying the law of chastity and consecrating one’s life to His work, in exchange for greater knowledge and protection. The chapter invites youth to always hold a temple recommend and attend the temple often to be “armed with God’s power.”
Chapter 9: You are blessed by priesthood keys and authority
This chapter teaches that all priesthood authority comes from Jesus Christ and is governed by keys held by prophets and local leaders. These keys authorize ordinances and empower both men and women to serve in callings and assignments within the Church. Youth are invited to faithfully fulfill their responsibilities and sustain their leaders, which helps them become instruments in the Lord’s hands.
Chapter 10: Your body is sacred
The body is described as a “holy temple” and a gift from God, created in His own image. This chapter teaches the Word of Wisdom as a principle for physical and spiritual health and the law of chastity as God’s standard for sexual purity. Youth are encouraged to dress modestly, avoid harmful substances, and treat their bodies with respect to increase their confidence and ability to receive personal revelation.
Chapter 11: Truth will make you free
This chapter emphasizes that God is the source of all truth and that seeking education, both temporal and spiritual, is an eternal goal. It teaches the importance of integrity, which means doing what is right because it is right, and being honest in all settings. Youth are invited to learn about the Savior, share gospel truths with others, and stay faithful to what they know even when they have unanswered questions.
Chapter 12: Jesus Christ brings joy
The final chapter teaches that the very purpose of life and God’s plan is for His children to have lasting joy. It clarifies that true joy is not just the absence of sorrow but is the presence of Christ in one’s life. Youth are invited to choose joy daily, bring happiness to others through service, and find peace through their faith in Jesus Christ, even during difficult times.
Appendix
The appendix contains a list of the temple recommend interview questions for youth, the Young Women Theme, the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme, and the Ten Commandments.
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