Arise and Shine Forth:
Lunch Table Lesson

By Christina Lyon Kline

By the end of lunch, my entire table had been fed on the standards of the Church.

“What’s this for?” Jolene asked.

“Oh, that’s just something from church,” I answered as unenthusiastically as I could. The last thing I wanted was to have a huge church discussion.

We had been having one of those examine-each-other’s-wallets sessions at my lunch table. Jolene had been looking at the contents of my wallet when she found my For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. I didn’t want to attract attention, so I did my best to make it sound as boring as possible.

Undaunted, she began to read the pamphlet to herself. The rest of the table grew curious and asked her to read it aloud. She began with the preface from the First Presidency and continued to read about standards, dating, and language. Then she paused and asked if this was why I acted differently than others at school. I looked at my friends who were all waiting for an explanation. I was worried that mocking and jokes about the Church would come next.

I replied, “Yeah, these are some guidelines the leaders of our church gave us to help us do what is right.”

Jolene finished reading the booklet to everyone. By the end of lunch, my entire table had received a lesson on the standards of the Church. Many of them asked if they could have a copy of their own.

I had thought that only a perfect member of the Church could be a missionary, and here I had been one by accident. Now, I always make sure wherever I go I have a For the Strength of Youth with me, plus two more to give away whenever I get the chance.

Illustrated by Steve Kropp