(teeny tiny picture, but you get the drift)
Last night we did a Stake YM/YW Standards Night with guest speaker Brad Wilcox. For those unfamiliar with him, Brad Wilcox is involved in Especially for Youths and BYU Education Week, teaches at BYU, directed the institute program in New Zealand, was a mission president in Chile, and has this huge personality and a way of saying things that just makes you listen. In fact, he was my first seminary devotional speaker decades ago in 9th grade (really, decades?) and made a huge impression on my young testimony. A few years ago I went to a women's conference class of his about teaching your kids maturation and he has an excellent book on it called "Growing Up" that I highly recommend.
Anyway, his topic last night was all about why it's so great to be a member of the church in the way only Brad Wilcox can do it. He is loud and funny and blunt--and totally captivating to youth, parents, and leaders alike. Brayden thought he was awesome and came home to tell Maddie all about it--the things that made him laugh, other things that made him think. It got us excited to send him to EFY in a couple of years where he can get a whole week of this stuff.
A couple of great Brad Wilcox analogies we took home with us: He said sometimes he feels like he's in a lifeboat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the teenagers are jumping out to swim back to the Titanic. (Why? That ship is sinking!? This lifeboat isn't! But that boat has music!? But that boat is SINKING!) He talked about how easy it is to forget that we're already in the lifeboat and why would we want to give up our spot? He spoke of the things that are tough for teens to always be saying no to--smoking, alcohol, sex--and how it probably feels like they're missing out on so much, but then taught what they're really "missing" (gaining) by having standards in these areas. So much. He told it like it is which is exactly what youth today need to hear.
He gave another analogy that happened while his family was serving in New Zealand. One day his son came to him, thrilled that New Zealand was where bungee jumping was invented and how he obviously HAD to bungee jump in New Zealand, right? So they go to the bungee place (more a raging gorge of death by Brother Wilcox's definition) and his son gets strapped into his harness. Before jumping, his son tells him "I think they strapped my harness too tight!" and naturally he replied "NO, it is definitely NOT too tight! Our goal here is to live." Sure enough, his son jumped, was safe and returned to do it again--free because of the slight discomfort of his harness, not inspite of it. He managed to teach that even though it feels like we get bogged down by the rules of the gospel, having those standards are what truly make us happy. And not just happy, but happy with longer, better quality lives. If all we see are the rules, we are missing the whole point.
It was excellent and I loved listening to the youth afterward who were so excited! It was unanimous that he was awesome and that we've got to invite him back in a couple of years. I'd have to agree. It was a great opportunity and we left feeling pretty awesome about the blessing of the gospel in our lives! The "perks" we receive are not just normal everyday life, they are incredible blessings.
Now...I think I'll go download some of his stuff and just happen to have it playing in the car for middle school carpool. The thing is, the kids will love it.
5 comments:
That sounds wonderful. Wish we could have been there! I listen to him every chance I get. And I have "Growing Up" too. He was the EFY program director (along with John Bytheway) the summer I was a counselor and I have been a fan ever since. Where do you download his talks?
What a great post - love reading about your awesome experiences.
Kids really need people like him to look up to and make them feel like making good choices is a really cool thing!!!!When someday they will realize that making those good choices really actually was the cool and good thing to do. I have been very fearful lately about the idea of being stuck here in an area that is sooooooo youth unfriendly. There are soo many temptations and not a really good outlet at church for them to bond with other youth and such. I grew up with soo many other youth around. We helped encourage each other to make good choices. Here everyone is on the fence and not supper strong. Its scary. I just hope and pray that I can teach my kids to be that supper strong despite the ridicule some of them get.
Oh, the perks of living in UTAH.
This sounds like an awesome talk. I have heard that he is a great speaker. I'm glad the night turned out so well.
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