Work and Self-Reliance: For the Strength of Youth

Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent.

Work is honorable.

Developing the capacity to work will help you contribute to the world in which you live. It will bring you an increased sense of self-worth. It will bless you and your family, both now and in the future.

Learning to work begins in the home. Help your family by willingly participating in the work necessary to maintain a home.

Learn early to handle your money wisely and live within your means. Follow the teachings of the prophets by paying your tithing, avoiding debt, and saving for the future.

Set high goals for yourself, and be willing to work hard to achieve them.

Develop self-discipline, and be dependable.

Do your best in your Church callings, schoolwork, employment, and other worthwhile pursuits.

Young men should be willing to do what is needed to be prepared to serve a full-time mission.

Heavenly Father has given you gifts and talents and knows what you are capable of achieving. Seek His help and guidance as you work to achieve your goals.

The Lord has commanded us not to be idle. Idleness can lead to inappropriate behavior, damaged relationships, and sin. One form of idleness is spending excessive amounts of time in activities that keep you from productive work, such as using the Internet, playing video games, and watching television.

Do not waste your time and money in gambling. Gambling is wrong and should not be used as a form of entertainment. It is addictive and can lead to lost opportunities, ruined lives, and broken families. It is false to believe that you can get something for nothing.

One of the blessings of work is developing self-reliance. When you are self-reliant, you use the blessings and abilities God has given you to care for yourself and your family and to find solutions for your own problems. Self-reliance does not mean that you must be able to do all things on your own. To be truly self-reliant, you must learn how to work with others and turn to the Lord for His help and strength.