April 9, 2025, 10:06am MDT
“Are you vaping in the words of wisdom?” a curious young man asked at Aaron’s Priesthood quorum meeting.
“That’s a good question,” the quorum advisor said. “What do you think?”
Similar discussions are likely taking place all over the world, and the young men and leaders who inspired these conferences probably reached the same conclusion.
This particular conversation unfolded as follows:
The young man said, “Some people say (vaping) isn’t that bad.”
“Do you vaping the occasional white smoke I’m looking at coming out of the car window?” said another young man, taking part in the conversation.
“Yes,” the advisor said. “Vaping inhales a flavorful liquid that is heated to water vapor. This liquid is mostly covered in nicotine, the same addictive drug as cigarettes. To blunt, vapor is another way to put addictive medicine into your body.
The first young man said, “But why don’t you say anything about vaping in “for the strength of the young man”? “I said.
The leader said: “It doesn’t use that word, but when you look at the principles it speaks clearly about it. Look under the headings “Youth Strength: A Guide to Choice” and “Your Body is Sacred.” ”
In that part, under the “Invitation”, “Do what to strengthen your body. You will not hurt or damage it. I appreciate the many good things God has provided. But remember that alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, tea, and other harmful drugs and substances are not your body or mind.
The advisor revealed: “It’s bad for you, so vaping is clearly contained there. But perhaps there is another principle involved. Satan has tried to destroy the human agency (on earth, he tries to do the same thing. He tries to do the same thing. To save and protect the agency, or to choose.”
The leader reminded the young man of the title of freedom and the way Captain Moroni wrote on his coat “in memory of our God, our religion, our freedom” (Alma 46:12).
The advisor emphasized the third term of “freedom.” He explained that some may say, “You guys can’t do anything in your church,” but Captain Moroni reminds us that the opposition is true. God is all about freedom. Satan, on the other hand, is about addiction, bondage and control. Jesus promised that when a man knew the truth, the truth would free them (see John 8:32).
Making good choices will free you from many things, including pretty bad results.
After all, the young man asked again, “So you oppose the words of wisdom?”
The advisor patiently replied, “Here is another question: what poison opposes the words of wisdom? I don’t say that.”
He explained how someone once asked Church President Gordon B. Hinckley why he wasn’t asked why certain things were not explicitly included in the words of wisdom.
“No mention of the dangers of jumping into an empty pool or jumping over an elevated highway,” President Hinckley said.
Finally, the young man scored points.
We are not commanded on everything. We are supposed to use common sense too.
The advisor reminded the young man that “for the strength of young people” guides are not so much of a rule book, but rather a book of reasons. The attitude we read as “for the strength of the youth” should never be “What will God forgive?” Rather, “What does God like?”
Instead of looking for a minimum of action, we look for the doctrine of our disciples, adjust our choices accordingly, and approach Jesus Christ, the strength of the youth.
– John G. Bysheway is a member of the Young Men General Advisory Council.
