We are blessed to live in a day that makes searching for something so easy! We can buy items from across the world with the click of a button. We can research anything from any time and any place from the comfort of our homes instead of trekking to the library and spending hours looking through books. When I was a kid, we didn’t have internet. It’s difficult to remember what life was like without it.

Decreasing Values

In a world with decreasing values, having good role models is important. It feels like they are getting harder to find with the many questionable shows on television. Many popular programs portray adults like they are inferior to children. This attitude takes away from the divine callings and responsibilities from both mother and father, often setting the child against the parents. What a poor example for our families! Where then can we look for good examples for our children or for ourselves?

We can start by looking at what you or your children are interested in! I have a dear friend whose children are half Polynesian. They embrace their culture and are involved in all kinds of events to share their love for their heritage with others. They became interested in Alex Boyé, realizing that he was celebrating and embracing his culture in everything he did. He became a role model to them and her kids have even been able to get to know him on a personal level. I can only imagine what this means to young men in this day to have someone to look up to and communicate with.

What else can you look for? Musicians, actors or actresses, comedians, authors, artists, athletes, historians, scientists, etc. You can find them! A few magic strokes on the keyboard of a computer will bring up a plethora of information. One of my favorite attributes in people is a crazy sense of humor. I recently found out that another BYU-H alumnus, Steve Soehlberg, is a rising stand-up comedian! I was able to watch some videos on his work and he was fantastic. Studio C through BYU TV brings us a whole group of good role models today.

Faithful LDS Singers

If you love music, we have so many faithful people already out there doing it! Lindsey Stirling, David Archuleta, Alex Boyé, Hilary Weeks, Gladys Knight, Brandon Flowers, Dan Reynolds and many more!

If you have an aspiring athlete, take a look at BYU and watch if any of them get drafted onto professional teams. Alan Ashby, Steve Young, Gary Cooper, Bobby Crosby, etc. There are LDS Olympians who demonstrate how to work hard and work towards their goals as well. There is even a dedicated website to these individuals at https://mormonolympians.org/

If you or someone you love is into math and science, the following website listed these as well. http://www.adherents.com/largecom/fam_lds_scientists.html

Role Models of Faith

You can find all kinds of role models who live our faith. All it takes is a few minutes. Don’t forget also that some of the greatest role models are found within your own ward or stake boundaries! Elder Monte J. Brough said in his conference address in 1995, “We need not look beyond our own family to find wonderful role models whose high standards are more than adequate in our search for our own personal identity.” 1

In our home, we work with the missionaries often. These are some of the best role models for our children. Elders and sisters come from around the world, bringing their talents and gifts and their love for the Lord. I think I love these opportunities most of all.

When it comes down to it, each of us has a divine role model. President Nelson once said, “As our great Exemplar, Jesus taught us how to live, to love, and to learn. He taught us how to pray, to forgive, and endure to the end. He taught us how to care about others more than we care about ourselves. He taught us about mercy and kindness—making real changes in our lives through His power. He taught us how to find peace of heart and mind.” 2

No matter what we are interested in, we will be able to look around the world we live in and find worthy examples of others who are already forging the path but our supreme Exemplar, our greatest role model, is only a prayer away.

1. “Search for Identity”, Elder Monte J. Brough, General Conference, April 1995
2. “The Sacred Responsibilities of the Lord,” Elder Russell M. Nelson, New Era, December 2014