Five Personal Objectives

            Families, communities, and nations are strengthened when adults and the rising generation share high standards. Mothers and fathers, grandparents and teachers should live good principles themselves and then teach the youth to set and maintain these same high values. Living a life of principle and value will bring joy and success to anyone who does so.

            I set a goal to read the seventy General Conference addresses given by Russell M. Nelson between the time that he was called as an Apostle and when he was sustained as the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am about halfway through my quest. In a recent study session I found the following quote that I felt prompted to send to my teenage grandchildren.

            I am sharing the quote on my blog for the good of others. I know that blessings will come to anyone who achieves the five personal objectives set by then-Elder Nelson. Those blessings will extend to strengthening their families, communities, and nations.

To magnify your callings in the Aaronic Priesthood, you young men [young women also] should shape your personal efforts toward five personal objectives to:

    . Gain a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    . Be worthy of missionary service.

    . Keep yourself morally clean and qualified to enter the holy temple.

    . Pursue your personal education.

    . Uphold Church standards and be worthy of your future companion.

How can you remember those five objectives? It’s easy. Look at your hand. Let your pointer finger point to the scriptures. From them gain a better knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then live in accord with His teachings. Let your middle finger remind you to be worthy of missionary service. Let your ring finger remind you of marriage, endowment, sealing, and blessings of the temple. Let your end finger remind you that pursuit of an education is a religious responsibility. Let your thumb go up, reminding you to uphold the standards of the Church and be worthy of your eternal companion. The realization of these five objectives will bless your lives.

(Russell M. Nelson, “Personal Priesthood Responsibility,” October 2003)