Brad Wilcox, husband, father, and leader-servant, discusses his General Conference address "Worthiness is not Flawlessness", the Church's youth programs, the importance of missionary service, and the impact of COVID. He gives hope and strength to young men and fathers everywhere.
Repentance and change are important for personal growth and reaching our full potential.
The Children and Youth Program promotes collaboration, gospel learning, service, personal development, and combined efforts of young men and young women.
Strong relationships between leaders and youth, mentorship, and regular engagement are essential in supporting and empowering young individuals on their spiritual journeys.
Deep dives
Importance of Repentance and Change
The podcast highlights the importance of repentance and change in our lives. It emphasizes that while God loves us, he also wants us to improve and reach our full potential. This message is inspired by a talk called 'Worthiness is not Flawlessness' from the October 2021 General Conference. The talk resonated with various audiences, including youth, young single adults, and leaders. The podcast shares personal experiences and feedback from individuals who found validation and new ideas for breaking bad habits.
Reimagining the Youth Program
The podcast discusses the evolution of the youth program within the Church. It mentions the development of separate programs for young women and scouting in the past but explains the need for a program that allows young men and young women to work together. The current program, called the Children and Youth Program, aims to promote collaboration, teamwork, and combined efforts. Additionally, the podcast talks about the three main components of the program: gospel learning, service, and activities, and personal development through goal setting and personal revelation.
Building Relationships and Mentorship
The podcast encourages leaders to build strong relationships with youth, highlighting the role of bishops and other male leaders in the program. It emphasizes the importance of mentors who can guide and support young individuals. The podcast suggests that leaders should step away from the 'ambulance at the bottom of the hill' mindset and focus on providing guidance, mentoring, and fostering meaningful connections with the youth. It also promotes regular meetings, consistent engagement, and the sharing of personal experiences as key ways to support and empower young men and women on their spiritual journeys.
The Power of the New Youth Program
The podcast episode discusses the impact of the new youth program in helping young people develop a relationship with God and find their true worth. The program, F.S.Y. (For the Strength of Youth), is a revamped version of E.F.Y. (Especially for Youth) and aims to provide a spiritual focus for youth activities. It has been successful in creating positive experiences for teenagers, helping them recognize the Spirit, study the scriptures, interact socially, and make new friends. The program's affordability and availability, thanks to church subsidies and fundraising opportunities, have opened it up to more young people. The positive impact of F.S.Y. on youth is expected to spread through word of mouth and have a powerful influence on both the youth and their parents.
The Role of Fathers and Spirit-to-Spirit Communication
The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of fathers in the lives of their children, highlighting their presence and care as crucial factors in a child's development. The impact of a father, even if not perfect, has far-reaching effects, including higher college graduation rates and reducing the likelihood of criminal behavior. The episode encourages fathers to recognize their significance and not be discouraged by their imperfections, emphasizing that the efforts they make count and that they are part of the solution. Additionally, the episode discusses the power of spirit-to-spirit communication and the role of the Spirit in breaking down walls and making meaningful connections. It shares a story of an encounter between the host and a troubled youth named Jack, where the Spirit was able to touch his heart and inspire change. The episode concludes with a call for fathers and youth to seek Christ's grace and strive to become better.
Brad Wilcox is a husband, father, grandfather and leader-servant. He is an expert teacher and counselor and currently serves in the Young Men's General Presidency for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We discuss his General Conference address "Worthiness is not Flawlessness" from October 2021 as well as his book "The Continuous Conversion. He highlights the recent changes to the Church's youth programs, the importance of missionary service, and the impact of COVID on the Church.
Brother Wilcox is well-known for his charisma and charity and gives hope and strength to young men and fathers everywhere.
Listen to his Conference address here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/35wilcox?lang=eng
Check out his book, "the Continuous Conversion" here: https://deseretbook.com/p/continuous-conversion-brad-wilcox-87416?variant_id=8861-hardcover
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