A Teenager’s Commitment To Stand in Holy Places

Apr 2011 Issue

By Brailey Ellis, age 14
Stand and be Counted Jesus said, “I know my sheep, and they are numbered” (3 Nephi 18:31). I know that Jesus knows each of us. My goal in life is to know Him and live His teachings so I can be counted among His followers. I will stand up for truth and righteousness so I can be an example; so people can see His light through me.

Every week we recite the Young Women’s Theme. It states that we will “stand as a witness of God at all times and all things and in all places.” What does that statement mean? Margaret D. Nadauld, Young Women General President, explained:

“In standing as a witness at all times, we promise to love the Lord, to honor Him all the time—daytime and nighttime, summer and winter, good times and bad times—love the Lord and let that love show by the way we live. We also take time to thank Him, take time to ask for help, take time to seek guidance, and then take time to listen. Take time for that still, small voice which will whisper to us, help us, and give
us courage” (“Stand as a Witness”, Ensign, May 2000).

Stand as an Example

I am an example even when I don’t know it. People watch me to see what I do. I must be cautious with what I do and say, because people’s opinions of the Church are shaped by what they see me do. When I was baptized, I made a sacred covenant and took upon myself the name of Christ, and covenanted to always remember Him. Now my actions must reflect my beliefs.

My friends are a big influence on me, so I must choose good ones. The For the
Strength of Youth pamphlet says, “They will greatly influence how you think and act, and even help determine the person you will become.” By having good friends I can live up to my standards and be the best I can be. Most importantly, I must be kind to myself, for the times when I stand alone.

Stand in Holy Places

Sharon G. Larson taught, “Standing in holy places is all about being in good company, whether you are alone or with others” (“Standing in Holy Places,” Liahona, July 2002). We need to be aware of the places we go. Our surroundings can affect who we are. What we listen to, read, or watch will have an impact on our life. We need to choose our surroundings carefully and determine if that impact is a good or bad thing. Satan can influence and tempt us. If we keep ourselves in holy places, we can more easily remember the Lord and we will be stronger when tempted.

Stand for What is Right

As a teenager, language can be a big struggle. Keeping our words clean can say a lot about who we are. We can lead by example and start a habit of asking people not to swear in front of us. In my life, I have found it hard to ask people to watch their language around me. I do it anyway, and in the end, I’m proud of myself. You will find great relief and peace from watching your language and being around people with the same standards.

The For the Strength of Youth pamphlet states, “Your body is a sacred creation. Respect it as a gift from God, and do not defile it in any way.” Our bodies are a gift from God and how we dress shows who we are inside. People should be able to tell who we are by how we dress. Recently my mom helped me fix my church dresses. We added about 5 inches to the length to make them long enough to be modest. We went to Deseret Industries and bought a few dresses to fix at home. I have been blessed in several ways as I learned a new sewing skill, bought dresses to work on, and received help to make them modest.

Stand and Remember

What can we do to remind us to stand for what is right? We can keep a picture of Christ in our binder, iPod, or phone. We can have a picture of the temple in our bedrooms. We can read our scriptures every day. We can pray always.

Every day we are faced with challenges and temptations. We need to know what we believe and be firm in the faith all the time. Strengthening our testimonies provides a firm foundation for us to grow. As it says in For the Strength of Youth, “Go Forward with Faith.” I will read it and ponder the scriptures daily. The power of prayer is true and gives us light in the darkest of places. Throughout our lives, whether we are young or old, we need to be witnesses of God by standing and being counted.