Brother John G. Bytheway: The need for mentors in guiding young men

Today’s young men need mentors and examples of true manhood of their lives. While being a “good example” is vital, intentional mentoring is way more vital in a world of shifting values and confusing social media. The Book of Mormon accommodates a lot of examples of fathers mentoring sons and mature men mentoring younger men. 

We can discover mentoring principles by studying Alma’s counsel to his three sons, Helaman’s inspiring words to the stripling warriors before battle, and the tender words of Mormon to his son Moroni as they witnessed the decline of the Nephite civilization. We can keep in mind that Mormon was only a baby when he was approached by Ammaron:

“And in regards to the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he got here unto me.” (Mormon 1:2).

“He got here unto me” is somewhat phrase with lots of power. Ammaron should have known about young Mormon, and his progress in learning the doctrine of Christ. At some point “he got here unto” Mormon — note that Ammaron sought out Mormon, not the opposite way around. Young men won’t search out mentors, but mentors can search out young men.

On one occasion, I used to be away on business while my son was participating in a vital sporting event. How wonderful it was to get text message updates and even a video clip from a mentoring bishop who was aware of my son, who knew what he was doing, and who showed up where he was. Mentors make a difference.

“And Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to look at;” (Mormon 1:2).

How did Ammaron know a lot about 10-year-old Mormon? Perhaps Ammaron, a historian himself, was also “quick to look at.” He knew that someday, another person would need to take custody of the records and complete the history of the Nephites. Ammaron knew enough to receive inspiration and revelation a couple of child in his midst who could accomplish the work.

Ammaron, a respected adult, shared details about Mormon’s gifts and skills that young Mormon was probably not aware of in himself. By articulating these traits for Mormon, Ammaron was also giving the young man something to live as much as. Elder Neal A. Maxwell observed:

“Each of us, every so often, is mentored and has probabilities to mentor. In my experience, truthful and caring one-liners that occur inside such nurturing relationships have an extended shelf life! You can probably recount three or 4 examples of how people have said something — probably a sentence or clause — and also you remember it still. It moves and touches you continue to. Such has been the case with me” (“Jesus, the Perfect Mentor,” Ensign, February 2001).

My mission president, one other essential mentor in my life, used to say, “A very good leader trains leaders as he leads.” The record doesn’t say very much in regards to the continuing relationship between Ammaron and Mormon, but Ammaron might be seen as a mentor and trainer to Mormon to assist him further develop those traits of getting a “sober mind” and being “quick to look at.”

“Therefore, when ye are about twenty and 4 years old I might that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and … go to the land Antum” (Mormon 1:3).

A very good mentor does greater than just tell someone what they’re good at. He gives them a path, a project and a purpose. He challenges them to turn out to be a “man of Christ” as Mormon himself would later call it (see Helaman 3:29).

The Aaronic Priesthood quorum theme mentions three essential mileposts along the covenant path. “I’ll prepare to turn out to be a diligent missionary, loyal husband, and loving father.” Mentors can speak from experience as they themselves have navigated this path and may share with a young man the blessings and rewards and temptations that lay ahead. 

The principles inside Ammaron’s mentoring of Mormon might be summarized like this:

• Inspired adult mentors are aware of their youth, they know them by name, and so they meet them where they’re.
• Inspired adult mentors perceive and share with the youth character traits and gifts they might not have discovered in themselves.  
• Inspired adult mentors encourage their youth by a path and a purpose — something to do, and a reason and motivation to do it.

What is the last word goal behind all this mentoring? To create lifelong disciples of Christ.

Perhaps due to Ammaron, and since of Mormon’s willingness to receive spiritual tutoring, we read this thrilling testimony a couple of verses later:

“And I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, subsequently I used to be visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus” (Mormon 1:15).

Being an excellent example is all the time an exquisite thing, but today, we want more. Our young men need more. They need inspired mentors who see more in them than they see in themselves. They need men of Christ who also know of the goodness of Jesus. They need you.