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This devotional address entitled, for When I Am Weak, Then Am I Strong, was given on December 3rd

of 2013 by Gerald Kose, then first counselor in the presiding bishopric of the Church

of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

My dear brothers and sisters, it's a joy and a blessing to address you this morning. You are such a remarkable generation in the history of gospel dispensations.

Recently, I participated in a dinner honoring the ambassador of a European nation.

He had just finished a full day of visiting church sites in Utah.

I asked him what had impressed him the most.

His face suddenly changed, and he responded with a voice charged with emotion.

What touched me most was the visit of the BYU campus

and the Missionary Training Center.

What beautiful youth you have.

Last year, when the Lord decided to hasten his work,

it was to the youth of the church that he made the call. Following the announcement

by President Thomas Esmondson that the ages for serving missions had been lowered,

a wonderful wave of enthusiasm came across the church. Tens of thousands of your generation

are responding to the call of the Prophet.

Perhaps the change in Mission Age was a surprise for many people, especially those outside of the Church.

Some probably wondered, why would the Church put so much responsibility in the hands of inexperienced young people who are barely out of high school.

I remember asking the following question of several mission presidents.

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