Face-to-face with President Monson about young men

Recently, the "Church News" sat down with President Thomas S. Monson and talked about the Aaronic Priesthood of the Church.

A lifelong champion of Scouting and the Church's Young Men program, President Monson spoke enthusiastically about the worth of each boy in the Church. The Church president said it's vital that every young man develop confidence, prepare wisely and enjoy the support of dutiful parents and leaders.

He expressed his own faith in the young men of the Church, worldwide. He's optimistic about their future.

Indeed, there are tens of thousands of Aaronic Priesthood-age young men in the Church today. It would be impossible for President Monson to interview each individually. But if the Church president could speak to every young man face-to-face, he would likely share with each boy the same counsel he offered to his missionaries decades ago when he was a mission president in Canada.

"I'd tell them to be their very best," President Monson said. "Be the best of which you are capable in all things."

A Good Education

During his exit interviews with departing missionaries, President Monson stressed the importance of acquiring a quality education. That timeless direction to "seek learning" remains especially relevant in today's competitive, high-tech world.

"You want to be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way. If you're not prepared, you're in difficulty," he said, before quoting the scripture, "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." (See Doctrine and Covenants 38:30.)

It isn't enough to simply get an education, added President Monson. Young men should plan to study something that they enjoy and will allow them to earn a living. A person may possess a fondness for, say, Egyptian pottery — but the job opportunities in such a field may be limited.

"Study something you like to do and something that will enable you to have a family and sustain your family," he said.

The Lord's Tenth and Temple Marriage

President Monson said that during his exit interviews with missionaries, he also spoke of the safety found in satisfying one's financial obligation to the Lord. "Pay your tithing," he said, "that's the big divider between those who stay fully active in the Church and those who do not. Tithing is the first law (some) slip on, then there is slippage all the way through."