About This Issue

This Month’s Theme: Developing Self-Reliance

Dear readers,

We struggled a bit with the term self-reliance as we planned this section.

On one hand, we want you to have the tools to build a good, fulfilling life and provide for yourselves and your current or future families. We hope you know that you don’t have to rely on anyone else for your testimonies. We want you to be capable, prepared, and, well, self-reliant.

On the other hand, we don’t want to send the message that being capable means having to do everything on your own. Because, paradoxically, the most capable and self-sufficient people have strong connections—with the Savior and with the people around them.

So our definition of self-reliance isn’t relying solely on yourself; it’s having the skills to build a stable and meaningful life. And we don’t just mean temporal skills like cooking a healthy meal or changing a tire—self-reliance applies to spiritual, emotional, and social abilities as well.

With that in mind, here are a few stories to encourage you in your learning:

• How getting a patriarchal blessing helped Elder Morrison of the Seventy find direction and purpose in his life

• The long struggle of a young adult in India to pay off debt and serve a mission

• What motivated a young adult in the Philippines to keep pursuing her education, even when she felt lonely and afraid

• How a young adult from Peru learned to develop holier habits when she moved away from home

We also have stories that are part of our ongoing series:

• Featured Devotional: Counsel from Elder Boom of the Seventy about balancing priorities

• Life Skills: Skills to help you succeed in your job search

• Applying the Doctrine and Covenants to Your Life: Support for your Come, Follow Me study about seeking learning outside of a formal education

• Especially for Newlyweds: How a young husband and father is dealing with the anxiety he feels about providing for his family

Whatever skills you’re working to develop, we hope you’ll rely most of all on Jesus Christ. If the economy seems daunting, if you worry your mental health isn’t up to the challenge of everyday living, or if you’re struggling with your gospel habits, know that He is there to strengthen you. He believes in you.

Don’t underestimate your ability to be a competent, compassionate disciple of Christ who can build His Church and bless His children.

We’re rooting for you,

Alison Wood, YA Weekly Copyeditor

Submitting to YA Weekly

Please send stories to [e-mail].

As part of our ongoing series, we are always accepting stories on the following topics:

• Stories by and for missionaries

• Tips and narratives to strengthen mothers of young children

• Practical self-reliance strategies and advice

• Articles for newlyweds adjusting to marriage

• Stories that help young adults turn to Christ if they are struggling with their testimonies