While most youths rang in 2007 at New Year's Eve parties Sunday, thousands of young Latter-day Saint faithful filled the seats of the LDS Conference Center and lined the pews in church buildings across America, to hear prominent church leaders encourage youths to make wise choices.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve and Young Women's President Susan W. Tanner counseled youths during the Sunday night fireside to "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly," which is the Mutual theme for 2007.
"You are somewhere between 12 and 18, and the future is before you. Don't spoil that future. Don't make the kinds of mistakes that will bring regret. You can be wise and happy or stupid and miserable," the jovial President Hinckley said to a laughing audience. "The choice is yours."
President Hinckley offered four suggestions to "bring rich and wonderful blessings all of your days" — Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Clean and Be Prayerful.
The 96-year-old leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said youths should make a habit of saying thank you, obtain an education, avoid bad language, not fall into the trend of tattoos and stay away from pornography and drugs.
"May I suggest to you that prayer can become like the Polar Star in your life. In a changing and sometimes misleading and discouraging world, it can become a constant," President Hinckley said. "None of us can do it alone. Without help, you cannot enjoy the success for which you dream."
New inventions and advances in technology, medicine, communication and science have made this "the most glorious age the world has ever known," said Elder Holland. "This evening I wish to give you hope and encouragement for the new year and for the rest of your lives," he added. "There are plenty of troubles in the world, but there have always been troubles in every age and era. Don't be preoccupied with them and don't be discouraged by them. You stand at the threshold of a marvelous New Year."
Elder Holland said he was saddened to read an article that said teens and even people in their 20s suffer most from low self-esteem and a lack of confidence in themselves.
Youths should resolve to have confidence this new year, he said.
Sister Tanner also encouraged youths to make New Year's resolutions but to reinforce them through the principle of repentance.
She played a video of her two granddaughters, Jane and Eliza, singing the Primary song "When I am baptized." Sister Tanner repeated the lyrics: "I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain. I want to be the best I can and live with God again."
"Each of us can start afresh through the Savior. We can let virtue again garnish our thoughts and regain confidence in the presence of God," she said. "You can change! Tomorrow can truly be a new beginning!"
The fireside also included 10 musical numbers by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, selected youths from LDS seminary classes across the Salt Lake Valley and special soloists Peter Breinholt, William Joseph and Ryan Tani.
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