Modern-day Joshuas
By C.S. Bezas

Anciently, Joshua was one of the Lord’s valiant servants. No servant, of course, is perfect. Joshua himself was commanded by the Lord to keep the commandments, to remember courage, and to study and ponder often the laws of God. But in those counsels, Joshua chose to hearken and obey.

He went on to provide remarkable service to God's children. It was not easy. No doubt there were times of discouragement. But Joshua followed through with what he was given to do. As a result, God's children successfully crossed the Jordan and eventually entered Canaan. Joshua's leadership was potent and essential, as was the leadership manifested by those who hearkened to him during those events.

Our youth can be modern-day Joshuas. Not only can they be, but we need them to be similar to Joshua — valiant servants who keep the commandments, who remember courage, who study and ponder often the laws of God.

Can our youth do this on their own? Possibly. But all need strengthening, all need guidance, all need correction at some point along the way. Each individual also needs good friends to encourage and solidify worthwhile goals. Joshua had this, also.

In the Church today, we obviously do not issue the death penalty. But we do need to speak up when we see concerns amongst our youth, if they begin to stray (see Joshua 7). The battle today is every bit as grave as it was for the children of God back then. And the promises are equally as glorious.

Stunning Promises

When Moses died, the Lord issued an edict that Joshua and his people were to go over the river Jordan and enter into the land prepared for them. It would not be easy, but along with this edict, the Lord also gave Joshua great promises, such as:

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Joshua 1:5)

What a stunning promise! What a priceless statement and commitment on the part of the Lord. The Lord gives our youth a similar promise today. In the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet, our young men and women are told:

When you do these things, the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your trials and challenges. You will find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel their love for you.

Joshua could have chosen to ignore the commitments and the pending promises waiting for him in the Promised Land; our youth could do the same. They can choose to ignore those promises, reject the commitments, and insist on doing things their own way. This is when trouble begins and one might wonder what we as seminary teachers, if anything, can do.

We do not want our youth to miss out on the stunning promises the Lord holds out for them. Yet there are scriptural examples to help us in our efforts for these youth. One of these examples can be found in the admonishments Joshua received from the Lord.

Joshua's Admonishment

Note how many times below that Joshua is admonished to be strong and of good cheer. He also is admonished to meditate day and night on the Lord's commandments and to live by all of them as he began the journey to obtain the promised land:

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:6-9)

The Lord's promises waiting for Joshua and his people in the land of Canaan were intrinsically linked to several expectations. I believe these same promises apply to our young men and young women. If they are to receive their modern "promised lands" of health, safety, and eventual eternal life, it is urgent they understand God's laws and expectations for them during their formative years. This way, if lived, these same principles inherently will become a part of their adult years.

The prophets have foreseen this time for more than a few millennia; so much of what has been prophesied for hundreds of years lies in wait for our youth. The Lord will require much of them during this important phase of the world's history. He also holds many blessings in store for them as a result, if they are willing to hearken to the call to come to their own promised lands by being strong, being of good courage, and by meditating/living God's laws.

Be Thou Strong

The children of God in Joshua's time were about to receive the land of Canaan and thereabout. The instructions given to them through Joshua were significant. Joshua's instructions are just as eternally significant in our kids' lives today as they were for God's children at that time of the world's history.

We read in Joshua 1:6 of the initial admonishment given to Joshua prior to moving his people forward in the journey. He was admonished to "be strong." Just what does it mean to "be strong"? Many responses could apply, and of course it is impossible to know fully the personal significance of that statement for Joshua's situation. We can only extrapolate.

His men, due to go in to obtain the land promised, obviously needed physical strength. So too do our youth need physical strength to be able to receive all that the Lord has ready for them; they also need physical strength just to withstand the stressors of the day. They need the ability to endure and to walk without being weary — whether physically or emotionally — every day they live. Indeed, these young women and men live during prophetic times, times that require of them both physical and emotional resiliency.

Reading from the Joseph Smith Translation for Luke 21:24-25:

And then his disciples asked him, saying, Master, tell us concerning thy coming?

And he answered them, and said, In the generation in which the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled, there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, like the sea and the waves roaring. The earth also shall be troubled, and the waters of the great deep;

The end result of such tumult is found in the next verse:

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. (Luke 21:26)

Indeed, physical and emotional strength are required to do well in these latter-days. That strength was promised to Joshua; it is promised to our youth today as they are obedient to God's laws.

I propose that no truly great task on earth can be achieved without the Lord's assistance — whether entering a promised land or otherwise. The obstacles are too great — Satan's intentions are too strong. To "be strong" does not need to refer only to physical strength; as mentioned before, it also denotes spiritual strength.

We need physical resiliency; we need spiritual strength. Yet how many seminary students understand the significant urgency of obtaining this dual kind of strength in the Lord? How many of our students lightly blow off the rigors of gospel discipleship as nothing but overkill? "Oh, lighten up, life isn't that serious," one might almost hear some kids say. The pressing urgent tone of prophets, both modern and ancient, would tell otherwise.

In fact, physical strength in many ways comes by abiding by the counsel found in the Word of Wisdom (as does spiritual strength — see D&C 89:18-21). The prophets have spoken of this for years; scientific research now points to the same. Many of our youth abide by these teachings, but do we idly stand by and ignore those who don't?

I hear through various letters or communications from different teachers who are rightly concerned when they learn of seminary kids drinking coffee or participating in other harmful substances for their bodies. Just what are our seminary kids not getting about the significance of the Word of Wisdom? Are we not teaching it clearly enough? If we are, what drives the rebellion against that counsel? And what is the appropriate path for a seminary teacher to follow in this scenario?

Some are "getting it" and are seeking the strength that Joshua obtained. But how is a seminary teacher to light the fire, so to speak, under the feet of those students who sleep — metaphorically or literally — in class? Do we idly stand by and ignore those who just don't "get it" (whether regarding the Word of Wisdom or otherwise)? My heart aches for these kinds of kids. What impedes their ability or desire to look to the Lord in all things?

What about those who throw off all concern for things spiritual? What about a third group, a "middle" group? These who stand straddling the fence, wanting to be accepted by the world and yet recognize their parents' teachings do have weight or meaning. Where do they find the strength to reconcile their desire to be popular with wanting to embrace what they know is true?

In seminary we memorize a portion of Psalms 24 as one of our beloved scripture mastery verses. I will quote a slightly larger portion than what is typically memorized:

The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This is the generation of them that seek him (Psalms 24:1-6)

The Lord stands ready to give all, but can our students honestly say they have done all things asked? When the Lord offers this "promised land" for our students, why would they allow the lowest common denominators to exist within their lives or within their seminary classroom interactions? They need the strength the Lord stands ready to give them.

The world certainly isn't going to ask the youth to lift their sights, their standards, and their actions to a higher plane, to a greater strength. But the Lord does and He asks our youth to do the same.

The pressing question is: those who followed Joshua eventually arrived at their Canaan; will our students? The Lord needs us as seminary teachers to lift high the standards He sets so that our students see them and He needs them to increase their stride. As they increase in strength, they will become the sons and daughters of God He desires of them.

To successfully arrive at their promised lands, our students must "be strong" — both physically and spiritually. If they hearken to the Lord's teachings, they will be. Then the next step becomes that of obtaining "good courage."

Be of Good Courage

A big job awaited those who were ready to follow Joshua. Those who were to go in and obtain the Promised Land had a great deal of effort ahead of them. The attitudes of Joshua's chosen leaders were astounding in their sincerity of heart and goodness of mind. All that Joshua commanded, they promised to do. Oh, how we pray for our seminary students to live to that level of courage. Can you imagine? All that the Lord commands, these students choose to do.

Most of today's youth have been given help and counsel from their parents. They've been given counsel from their Young Women and Young Men leaders. They've been given counsel from their bishoprics and from us, their seminary teachers. They even receive counsel from the General Authorities through general conference and other meetings. These are all individuals who earnestly seek to lead these bright and fine young people.

The question for the day is, will our students hearken and obey in the same earnest fashion as that of Joshua's men? The first admonishment Joshua received was to be strong; the second was to be of good courage.

Just as Joshua was counseled to take courage and just as Joshua's leaders evinced that courage, so too our youth need courage in today's world.

Read these inspiring words:

And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou coummandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. (Joshua 1:16)

It seems to me that to live after this fashion, one's heart must be placed upon the Lord, as close to all things as possible. Courage springs from just such a heart. When our kids care more about what God thinks, they care less about what others think. When they care less about what others think, they see things more rationally. In that clear state of mind, they are better able to make eternally-life-giving choices in their day-to-day affairs.

If our youth aren't getting this, why aren't they? Some do, but I fear some are being left behind. When I hear from some of you about one youth's cruelty toward another, my heart yearns for some resolution to the matter.

Only the Lord knows what the needed resolution might be in individual cases, but are we doing enough ourselves to merit His intervention in behalf of our students? Do we teach clearly enough? Do we set the standards of appropriate living or do we cave in to pressure? Are we ourselves so concerned with being viewed as a well-liked teacher that we close our mouths when we should be speaking up to curtail behavior that never would lead toward any "promised land" of eternal life?

Joshua was taught by the Lord to be courageous. Our students (and ourselves) need to learn courage for the Lord and His teachings. When they (and we) manifest courage for the things of God, the Lord will be willing to lead His youth to the promised land, just as He did for Joshua's people. He will fight our youth's battles for them — or by their sides as needed — if our youth place their allegiances upon Him, if they choose to "be of good courage."

The next step is to "observe to do all, according to the law."

Observe to Do All, According to the Law

Joshua was admonished to observe to do all, according to the law. Obedience is an interesting thing. Of course it is optional — when we don't care about the results. But if we care about the results, obedience is the only path to obtain all that God has for us.

In this case, then, obedience becomes essential. That is why picking and choosing which gospel tenets to live by never is a healthy thing, nor does it engender the fullest blessings God desires to bestow. For example, let's imagine the following thoughts of a youth as they privately read through the "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet:

Ok, let me see. Sure, I'll obtain an education, but as for the next chapter here — nope, why should I have to be nice to my sister? She's a pain. Forget it.

Ugh, this next chapter? I like my really tight shirts, cuz they make me look cool, so I'm still wearing those. And as for movies — hey, wait a minute! You mean, don't watch movies with any violence or immorality? Yeah, right. Like, what movies remain? I'd have to give up my movies! As for dances, oh, yeah, I can do that. I mean, have you seen the school dances? They're gross.

But forget that chapter on Language. So, I swear a little. What harm can that do? And you know what, I'm sure the Lord won't be mean about it. He loves me and all, so I don't get what's the big deal.

What is essential for these young men and women to understand is that although the Lord does love all His children, the scriptures are full of statements that He favors those who seek to live the commandments. Yes, obedience to God's laws requires sacrifice. It requires desire. And with desire, we can accomplish almost anything over time.

True, we are not able to live the commandments all at once perfectly. But over time with consistent effort, we become more and more true children of God. As we do so, the blessings bestowed increase in exponential fashion. The Lord sees our efforts and rewards us accordingly. Do our youth get this? I think if they did, most would be excited to live such lives.

Joshua was counseled to meditate day and night on God's words, God's laws. Strength and good courage are just a few of the resultant blessings for those who do this. If it was essential for him and all he faced, it is certainly essential for our youth.

Society does not teach this. Some members of the Church even choose to ignore the principles contained in another important verse in scripture: 1 Nephi 17:35. That verse speaks of many important facts. Additionally it illustrates that we can reject the word of God on many different levels — through outright disobedience or through simple apathy. But the Lord holds the choicest of blessings for those who live by every word that proceedeth forth from Him. We read,

And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.

For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. (D&C 84:43-44)

So many of God's blessings are predicated upon obedience to those words. How will our students learn of this if they are not studying and pondering upon them first? The instruction in D&C 84:43-44 above is so strikingly similar to that which Joshua received, wherein he was told regarding the book of law to "mediate ... day and night, ... to observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then shalt thou have good success." (Joshua 1:8)

Of course, we have moral agency given to us; our students also are free to make their choices. Even in the times of Enoch, this same moral choice existed for that society. In Moses 7:32-33 we read:

The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;

And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood.

Not all will walk after the Lord's pattern or His given commandments. But it does not mean we give up if those we care about travel in opposite direction from their promised lands. How urgent it is that they receive the message that Nephi so diligently and consistently shared in his record. In just one of many instances, Nephi writes:

Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God ... he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked. And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes ... he loveth those who will have him to be their God." (1 Nephi 17:35-38, 40)

Thus, questions such as, "How do these principles fit in God's plan for me?" or "How does this law help my life?" are essential for our seminary kids to explore, both in class and privately. They are growing up in an iPod generation, where there is rarely time for quiet pondering.

Do we take time as seminary teachers do more than just teach the laws of God? Do we teach the value of pondering on those laws? Do we take time to help our students learn the value of meditating upon the law both night and day?

Are our youth getting any of this? Will they, while they still have time? What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you. Please write me at seminarymom@gmail.com and share what has worked for you in your classrooms and the progress you've seen with your young men and women in the areas of strength, courage, and how studying/pondering the Lord's laws impacts their strength and courage.

The Lord needs each seminary teacher. He needs you for your goodness, your willingness to serve and to love his precious youth — especially those who struggle. They need the standards; they need Him. May He richly come to your aid as you work to love these kids and to teach them of the Savior and all that awaits them in their own personal promised lands.

Summary

No servant, of course, is perfect. But Joshua in this instance chose to hearken. He went on to provide remarkable service to God's children by aiding their entrance to their promised land. It was not easy. No doubt there were times of discouragement. But Joshua followed through and as a result, God's children were blessed.

Our youth can be modern-day Joshuas. Not only can they be, but we need them to be similar to Joshua — valiant servants who are strong, who remember courage, and who study and ponder often the laws of God. Then and only then will the Lord be able to favor them as He so greatly desires. Then and only then will they be able to enter in and to receive their waiting and most delightfully promised lands. Now that will be a glorious day indeed!