Chapter 31—Problems of Youth
Youth Are Receptive and Hopeful—The youth are receptive,
fresh, ardent, hopeful. When once they have tasted the blessedness of
self-sacrifice, they will not be satisfied unless they are constantly learn-
ing of the Great Teacher. The Lord will open ways before those who
will respond to His call.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:471
(1900).
Youth Must Choose Life Destiny—By the thoughts and feelings
cherished in early years every youth is determining his own life history.
Correct, virtuous, manly habits formed in youth will become a part of
the character and will usually mark the course of the individual through
life. The youth may become vicious or virtuous, as they choose. They
may as well be distinguished for true and noble deeds as for great
crime and wickedness.—
The Signs of the Times, October 11, 1910
.
(
Child Guidance, 196
.)
Training That Produces Mental and Moral Weakness—The
severe training of youth—without properly directing them to think
and act for themselves as their own capacity and turn of mind will
allow, that by this means they may have growth of thought, feelings
of self-respect, and confidence in their own ability to perform— will
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ever produce a class who are weak in mental and moral power. And
when they stand in the world to act for themselves, they will reveal the
fact that they were trained like the animals, and not educated. Their
wills, instead of being guided, were forced into subjection by the
harsh discipline of parents and teachers.—
Testimonies for the Church
3:133
(1872).
The Mind to Be Educated to Rule the Life—Children have an
intelligent will, which should be directed to control all their powers.
Dumb animals need to be trained, for they have not reason and intellect.
But the human mind must be taught self-control. It must be educated
to rule the human being, while animals are controlled by a master and
are trained to be submissive to him. The master is mind, judgment,
and will for his beast. A child may be so trained as to have, like the
beast, no will of his own. Even his individuality may be merged in the
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