Believe

Discipleship is an adventure

You are not the first to set off on this amazing journey of discipleship. Others have gone before. Think of Peter. He thought he was just an ordinary fisherman. You may have thoughts like that too. But the Lord saw something more—a disciple. Peter’s story reminds us that choosing to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ is filled with adventure:

• Peter’s fishing nets were filled to bursting (see Luke 5:1–7).

• He walked on water (see Matthew 14:22–32).

• He was fearless in sharing his testimony of Jesus Christ (see Acts 4:18–20).

Peter did things he never imagined he could, in places he never thought he would be.

• Why do you think Peter stepped out of the boat? (See Matthew 14:28–29.)

• When have you accepted an invitation from the Lord, even if it was hard? How did He bless you?

Over time, Peter discovered that he had a great work to do.

So do you!

In fact, prophets have declared that you have been sent here now because “God needs strong and courageous sons and daughters on earth now.” You are not here to fail. You are here “to succeed—and to help others succeed. As you follow Jesus Christ, you will have all the strength and courage you need.”

Disciples believe

If you want to increase your belief in Jesus Christ, start by learning of Him and accepting simple invitations to follow Him. This is what it means to be His disciple.

Builders of Faith, Messengers of Hope, deacons, and teachers will accept one invitation from the FSY guide each month.

Every fast Sunday you will study a chapter from the FSY guide with your quorum or Young Women class. In the last few minutes of the lesson, you will choose an invitation to work on at home throughout the month. You can choose an invitation from the FSY guide, or you can create one of your own.

Your invitations might help you with:

• 

  Strengthening relationships.

• 

  Spiritual growth.

• 

  Education.

• 

  Health and fitness.

• 

  Service in the community.

• 

  Temple and family history work.

• 

  Mission preparation.

• 

  Other interests.

Your invitation should be fun and interesting to you, increase your love for Jesus Christ, and help you discover your divine purpose and potential. Be creative—choose something that will help you grow.

At the end of each month, talk with your parents or a leader about your experiences accomplishing your invitation. Write your experience in the Gospel Library app or in a journal, and record how accepting this invitation is helping you live as a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.

Gatherers of Light and priests will lead, teach, and encourage other youth, continue to accept invitations, live as lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ, and prepare for future opportunities for growth (see page T24 or T28 for more information).

Emblems

Emblem of Discipleship

Crystal Christus

• Given to all youth as they enter the youth program, at the Brand New Year event.

• Serves as a reminder of living as a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ.

Emblem of Achievement

Medallion for Young Women or Oil Vial for Young Men

You receive the medallion or oil vial as you begin your first year as a Gatherer of Light or priest. It signifies that:

• You are growing as a lifelong disciple of Christ by acting on invitations from the FSY guide. This is done over a period of time at the discretion of the local bishop or branch president.

• You are ready to lead, teach, and encourage other young women or Aaronic Priesthood holders.

• You are entering a sacred season of preparation to become a woman or man of righteous influence. This includes preparing to be ordained an elder (for young men), preparing to receive your temple endowment, serving a mission (if desired, for young women), and preparing for an eternal family.

• You have faith in Jesus Christ, you love God and your neighbor, and you draw upon the enabling strength of Christ as you make and keep covenants with Him.

• You have read or listened to the Book of Mormon as a young woman or Aaronic Priesthood holder. The Book of Mormon study plan in the Gospel Library app can help you track your progress.

Your bishop will interview you before your first year as a Gatherer of Light or priest to review your progress and ask about your experiences with invitations from the FSY guide. He will invite you to lead, teach, and encourage the Builders of Faith and Messengers of Hope or deacons and teachers. He will help you begin preparing for what is ahead. For young men: This interview is not the same as an interview to be ordained a priest, and worthiness for that ordination is not dependent on participation in the FSY guide program.

The medallion or oil vial is given by the bishop at the Brand New Year event.

Do What Works Best

The guiding principles outlined here are adaptable. If you are new to the Church or started actively attending the youth program after turning 12, begin the program where others your age are. Do what works best for you, your family, your class or quorum, and your ward.

Counsel with family and leaders to make modifications, such as the type and frequency of activities and experiences. You do not need to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to participate.

Gatherers of Light and priests work with adult leaders to plan the events described below. The planning sheet on page T12 can help you.

Brand New Year Event

At the beginning of each year, youth get to participate in a Brand New Year event. Parents are invited. In this event, you welcome friends who are new to the program and celebrate those moving to the next age-group or priesthood quorum.

You will also learn more about who you are becoming—including your divine identity, purpose, and potential.

New youth entering the program will receive an emblem of discipleship—a Christus statue as a reminder to become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ (see page T6).

The bishop presents Gatherers of Light with the medallion at this event. He also presents priests with an oil vial.

Celebration of Lifelong Discipleship

The Celebration of Lifelong Discipleship celebrates you! It is usually held the last quarter of the year. At this event, you display or share with family, leaders, and friends:

• The invitations you accepted.

• Your experiences at activities, camps, conferences, and other events.

• What you’ve done to encourage and support one another.

What does daily discipleship look like?

Love and serve others	Jesus said your love is the way people will know you are His disciple (see John 13:35).
Pray	You can talk to God, and He will answer you.
Study the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon	The scriptures will help you come to know and love Jesus Christ and learn how to live more like Him. As you read the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better choices every day.
Keep the commandments	God gives you commandments to guide you, protect you, and help you grow.
Repent	Turn to Christ for strength to overcome. He will forgive and heal you and help you become more like Him.
Learn	Education will bless your life and empower you to bless others.
Worship at church	At church you will strengthen your covenant relationship with God and find belonging with other disciples.
Take the sacrament	Taking the sacrament and keeping your covenant will allow you to draw upon God’s blessings and have His Spirit with you always.
Donate tithing	Tithing helps build God’s kingdom. As you donate tithing with gratitude, God will pour down blessings, increase your faith, guide you, and answer your prayers.
Live the Word of Wisdom and the law of chastity	Obeying these laws will give you greater strength and will help protect you and your future family.
Discover your family history	This will help protect you against the increasing influence of the adversary, and it will strengthen your love for your family.
Perform ordinances in the temple, where possible	When you do, God arms you with His power, puts His name upon you, surrounds you with His glory, and sends His angels to watch over you (see Doctrine and Covenants 109:22).

How to prepare a talk

• What is your topic? How does it connect to Jesus Christ? How will you help people love, trust, and follow Him?

• What scriptures will you use? What other gospel resources might help, such as general conference quotes?

• What personal experience or story could help people understand the truth you are teaching?

• How will you bear testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and the truth you are teaching?

• How will you invite others to live the truth you are teaching? How will you help them recognize promised blessings that come from this truth?

Note

1. Russell M. Nelson, “Connect to Christ’s Power,” For the Strength of Youth, June 2024 (digital-only article), Gospel Library.