AV Geeks 4-28-2025

[Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Every year lots of people make mistakes. mistakes that get them in trouble in the water. Most of these people hadn't planned on going in the water. And like Craig here, most of them were all alone when the accident [Music] happened. What could Craig have done to avoid this accident? What can he do now? What did this boy do to get himself in trouble? What can he do now? [Music] She made the same two mistakes our last friend made. [Music] swimming alone and trusting a flotation device to take her farther than she could swim safely. I won. Yeah, you won. All right, but you had a head start. I bet I could beat you across the river. Yeah, you haven't got a chance. Well, let's find out. Let me check my breath. Oh, you're just afraid I'll beat you. I'm not. Come on then. Okay. On your mark, get set, go. [Music] Wait a minute. I've got a cramp. [Music] [Music] [Music] What did they do that got them into this trouble. [Music] I miss [Music] you. What caused this accident? What can the others do to help him? This could be you in the water with all your clothes on and no life preserver. Still, there's no reason to panic if you know what to do. If you've prepared yourself to be safe in the water first. If you want to be safe in the water, you should learn to swim. You can learn at your city pool or at the YMCA. You can also learn special ways of floating that can keep you safe even when you're very tired. Survival floating will keep you afloat for a long time with little energy. Here's how it's done. Breathe deeply, hold the breath, push down with your arms, exhale, and take another breath. It looks easy, but it's better to learn the proper technique before you end up in a situation where you need to use it. a situation like this. The water that Craig fell into is cold. In just a few seconds, cold water can wear you out. But Craig knows survival floating. So, he can work his way to the shore with little effort. Even if you fall in the water with heavy clothing on, you can still float. If you keep calm, blowing air into your coat will help you to float even better. If you had to, you could float for a long time this way. And time can be important. Another way of avoiding trouble is to always swim with a buddy. Never swim alone, but don't try to be a showoff. Don't swim when you're tired or cold. And don't swim too far from shore. Rescuing a drowning victim is a job for a lifeguard. But if you must help someone in trouble, do it in a way that won't get you in trouble, too. Give me a tool. The right way to help someone is to give them something to hold on to and go for help. Keeping something between you and the drowning victim is important. It keeps them from grabbing you and getting you in trouble, too. No matter where an accident happens, there are right and wrong ways of trying to help. Here are some of the right ways of helping. Knowing how to prevent accidents and knowing what to do if an accident does happen is important, but too many people don't know anything about it. How about you? What should you know about water safety? [Music] [Music] Are you okay, Dad? Heat. Heat. [Music] Boating is a great American summer pastime and it's a lot of fun, but there are a lot of no fun things that can happen out there on the water. Going out in a boat without knowing anything about it is like jumping into deep water before learning to swim. But you say your friend who owns the boat knows what he's doing. He takes off in his boat every weekend, has for years. You just want to relax. Well, don't get too comfortable. What if he falls overboard or gets sick? You should know the basics of how to run the boat, how to use emergency equipment, what to do in case of trouble. A skipper is usually proud of his boat and will tell you about it at the drop of a nautical term. He wants you to know how it works. He should insist on it. Modern power boats have two basic types of motors. This one is called an outboard. If it doesn't have an engine hanging on the transom, it is an inboard or inboard outboard. Sometimes called a stern drive. These two types have the engine inside the boat in a closed compartment. Electric start boats of this size are operated much like an automobile, but the throttle and the gear shift are combined into this single lever control. Mounted there also are the choke, the key starter, and a fast warm-up lever. If it's an outboard, when this handle is straight up, the gears are in neutral. You squeeze a release lock under the grip to move the lever forward or backward. It is simpler than shifting a car because there are only three gear positions: forward, neutral, and reverse. When you push the lever forward, the gear engages and the boat moves forward. Since it is also the throttle, the farther you push it, the faster the boat goes. When you pull it back, the reverse gear engages and the boat starts to move backward. But don't back up too fast. The square stern will push water up over the back of the boat. Most controls have an interlock so that the engine will not start except in neutral, straight up. To start the engine, turn the key switch like you do in your car. If the boat has been sitting a while and the engine is cold, it may be necessary to use the warm-up lever and the choke. The choke is generally a button or a toggle switch located on the control. Operate the choke while turning the key until the engine starts. Then release both the button and the key. They will return automatically to their normal positions. You're now ready to drive the boat. The boat has a steering wheel and a seat like a car, but there are no pedals on the floor, no brake, for example. The main thing to remember is that a boat is steered from the back rather than the front. On an outboard or stern drive, the propeller thrusts the back end of the boat around to turn the boat in the direction you want to go. The steering difference between a boat and an auto is not too noticeable except in docking. in getting underway and at low speeds. If the boat is an inboard or stern drive, locate and operate the engine compartment blower switch before starting the engine. This exhausts any fumes that might have collected and reduces the explosion hazard. Other things to locate before starting out are the personal flotation devices called PFDs. There must be a wearable PFD for each person aboard a boat 16 ft or longer. In addition, there must be at least one throwable device, such as a cushion. It is a good idea to wear a PFD at all times. In an emergency, there often isn't time to put one on. Locate the fire extinguisher and know how to use it. Make sure there's a throw line such as a ski tow rope, a first aid kit. These should be on every boat along with a paddle and an [Music] anchor. Now that this group has been properly briefed, let's not forget the two fishermen we saw at the beginning of this film. Here, lay down on the bottom of the boat. What's the matter, Dad? I don't know. Feel like I'm going to fight. What do you want me to do? We better try and get back to shore and see if we can find a doctor's. Oh, wait a minute. We got to get the anchor up here. Maybe I can No, you lay still. I'll get it. Now wait now. Now don't stand up when you start the motor. Small powered boats generally have a small motor similar to this one with a rope start about like a home lawnmower. Never stand to pull the rope. If the motor has been left in gear or the expected compression isn't there, you can lose your balance and fall overboard. The gear shift lever is on the housing. Be sure it's in neutral gear. the middle position about straight up before attempting to start the motor. Most of the other controls are on the tiller, the handle used to steer the boat. At the end of the handle, there is a twist grip. Turn this grip until it is in the position marked start. Then pull on the rope starter cord. If it doesn't start readily, use the choke and continue to pull the rope. When the motor is running, look around to see which direction you want to go and move the tiller in the opposite direction. Then turn the throttle back to shift. Put it in gear by moving the handle forward or backward and gently twist the throttle to start moving. The farther you turn it, the faster the boat goes. But in an emergency like this, get to the nearest shore where you see a cottage, dock, or signs of people that can give you help. When you reach the shore, stop the motor by turning the twist grip to stop and pushing the button that kills the engine. But what do you do if you're left alone in a driverless boat running wild? Of course, he probably wouldn't have been thrown out if he were sitting in his seat. The first thing to do is don't panic. Get to the driver's position as quickly as possible. Turn the key to shut off the motor. Like a wild automobile, the first objective is to stop it. Survey the situation quickly and keep in mind that the urgent need is to get to the person in the water as quickly as possible. Start the motor. Shift to forward and turn the boat toward the person in the water. Always approach from downwind, that is with the wind in your face. Approaching from upwind might cause the boat to drift over the victim even after the motor is stopped. Approach the person overboard slowly and stop the engine by turning the key. If he is not wearing a PFD, he may be exhausted from trying to stay afloat. The first thing to do is to throw him a flotation cushion. Get the device as close to him as possible. Throw him a line, coil it, and heave it. The weight of the coil will help carry it, unwinding as it goes. When he has grasped the rope, pull in slowly toward the boat. Unless the rescuer is exceptionally strong, it may be impossible to get the person inside the boat if he is unable to help. Try to get a PFD on him. But if you can't manage that, loop a rope around under his arms and fasten it to the boat. This will give him a chance to rest. All you can do now is signal for assistance. But first, anchor the boat. Lower the anchor over the side. Don't toss it. Making sure the line is attached to the boat. These are the things to look for to signal for help. A mirror. A mirror can be seen a long way on a sunny day. With a bright cloth, raising and lowering both arms extended from the body. Don't wave. You may only get a friendly wave in reply. If it is night, a flashlight is good for flashing SOS. Three short flashes followed by three longer flashes followed by three short flashes. Flares are also used, but they can be very dangerous. Hold it away from your body and over the downwind side of the boat. Never light it around gasoline. CB radios are often found in boats these days. Turn the volume control to on. Channel 9 is the emergency channel. Turn to this number on the dial and squeeze the mic. Talk into the microphone and say, "This is an emergency. Come back." Release the mic button and listen for a response. Then repeat. If it is a marine radio, turn to channel 16. These channels are monitored by many individuals and government organizations. But you may not find any of these, and the best thing to use is what comes naturally. Grab the brightest cloth you can find, PFD, sweater, towel, whatever. Move your arms up and down repeatedly. If you see or hear people and think you are not being noticed, sound the boat's horn continuously. All boats of 16 ft or more are required by law to have a whistle. [Music] Voters are great people and the good ones know and respond immediately to distress signals. Hopefully, you'll never have to use them. Just remember these basics and happy boating. [Music] Hello, I'm Azie Olsen. One of America's biggest recreational sports is boating. In cooperation with the United States Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, I'd like you to see a film on one aspect of safe boating, boat trailering. Before we see the film, I'd like you to meet some very good friends of mine whose life so many times have depended on a thorough knowledge of their equipment and it safe and proper use. Jerry Grant and Dan Gurnie, two of the most famous men in auto racing, and Scott Carpenter, the famous astronaut and aquinaut. Let's hear from them for a moment on safety, its importance in their lives, and how it parallels boating safety. Ever since man has been designing machines to ride in, safety has been his concern. But safety is a function not only of machines reliability, but the training of the men who operate them. Even Dan Gurnie's eminently safe cars can be terribly dangerous if the driver doesn't know what he's about. So can your combination of both trailer and car. If you don't know how to handle it, it can be dangerous. Learn how. you know in in one of the important parts of the whole operation has got to be transporting the race car to the race racetrack in a safe manner. Oh, absolutely. Um we've heard of many cars which have been actually completely destroyed. Uh, and it hasn't been in a race. It's been uh going to a racetrack, transporting across the country with an inadequate trailer. And uh that is a real shame and it's a very poor judgment. It's a beautiful day. You're on the way to your favorite launching site and a day of fun and relaxation on the water with your wife and kids. All's right with the world. Or is it? Suddenly, your trailer starts to fish tail and sway. You fight for control, but it's a little late. That perfect day has come to an imperfect end with your boat piled up on the side of the road. Luckily, this time, injuries and lives have been spared. But will it be different next time? 1,582 deaths occurred last year as the result of boating accidents. And that is something to think about. 700,000 new boatmen arrive on the water each year. This number is not surprising considering the popularity of boating. But the surprising thing is that less than half less than half of these 700,000 new boatman receive any kind of training before launching their new boats. Small matter. Well, safe boating is tied to a lot of small matters like wheel bearings for your trailer wheels. when they're submerged in water as your boat is being launched or recovered, bearing grease can wash away. Another small matter perhaps, but just as suddenly as a boat flipping, a wheel can seize, causing an axle spindle to snap, and a trailer wheel goes rolling down the highway looking for an accident to happen. Small matters? Well, here's another one. A canvas cover for your boat. A good thing to have, but will it resist or fire? You'll easily find out if someone tosses out a lit cigar or cigarette butt. A little bit of smoke at first and then fire. You frantically unhitch the trailer, but it's a losing game. A fire extinguisher could handle the whole problem, but where is it? In your boat. If you'd had a course in boating safety, you might have learned that an extra extinguisher should have been in your vehicle or at the front of your trailer. And maybe you could have saved the day. Is boating safety important? Is knowing how to trailer, launch, and recover your boat important? You bet it is. For a moment, then let's go back to that first big day. The day you bought your boat, a big day in your life, one you've saved for. You like the feel of the boat, the touch. It's like buying a new car, maybe even better. But there's another requirement, the trailer you'll haul your boat with. In many respects, it's a more important purchase than your boat. Your safety, that of your family, and that of others can depend on it. A key phrase is this: match your trailer to your boat. It is an absolute must. And you'll probably agree, it's nothing more than common sense. Still, people spend a great deal of money on a boat and then cut corners by purchasing trailers that aren't quite what they ought to be. Jerry Grant, Dan Gurnie, and Scott Carpenter spoke of the need for the balance of components of a machine and the parallel this has between a boat and trailer. We saw the parallel, a boat flipping from a trailer. There are a number of ways this can happen. how you take a curve or drive a corner, breakage of tie downs or improper boat handling. But in this case, the trailer was simply unders sized for the boat. And that perhaps is most dangerous of all. So work with your boat or trailer dealer and make sure the trailer is right for the boat you're buying. It's forward planning for fun ahead. Forward planning also includes federal and state regulations for boat trailers. These regulations include lights, tie downs, directional signals, and many others. It's as much your responsibility to see that your trailer complies to regulations as it is the selling dealers. You might also check the vehicle you'll be using to tow your boat. You may need heavyduty shock absorbers, a special rear end, heavyduty springs, and vehicle manufacturers call this a trailer package. A good man to talk to is the dealership service manager. He'll also advise you about mirrors you'll need when towing. Another good man to have a chat with is a knowledgeable Coast Guard auxiliarist or US Power Squadron member. The boating tips he can supply come from experience and training. For example, how to back up your trailer and boat. Practice on a supermarket or shopping center parking lot. Use boxes or something similar to simulate a launching ramp and other backing situations. Backing is basically a matter of this. Turn the steering wheel to the right and the trailer will turn to the left. Turn the steering wheel to the left and the trailer will turn to the right. Simple. Well, not really. Practice this and often. You should practice often enough so they become second nature. Go back to your driveway again. You're all ready to go, but stop. Before you ever leave, is everything secure? What about the safety chains? Properly attached, the chain should cross from right to left and left to right. They also should have proper slack. Proper slack is approximately 6 in above the road. This allows plenty of room for negotiating curves, turning corners, and backing. Another check off item is tie downs. Are they all secure? Check this. And use your tag or bow line as a trailer tie down for additional security while trailering. Check the fire extinguisher. Then inspect the boat for placement on the trailer chocks. Is it properly in place at the bow midship and stern? Check the stern tie down strap. How about the gear you've loaded? Is it secure? Don't overload your boat either on the trailer or in the water. Overloading can be dangerous when towing and fatal in the water. Also, are your trailer lights working properly? Left turn, right turn, brake lights, license plate light, hazard warning signals. The trailer you see here has a strap for additional security at the bow and stern. If your trailer is not so equipped, run a nylon line through the bow eye of your boat and wrap it around the stansion. Then you're finally underway. Everything is ship shape, but still there are other precautions. Keeping your distance. With all the weight you're pulling, it takes longer to stop. So, keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead. Drive safely. And at your launching area, park your outfit away from the ramp. This is a matter of ramp courtesy. In addition, remove the canvas cover and prepare the boat for launching. When it's your turn to launch, remember your backing techniques. Use mooring lines secured to the boat. They're a safety measure should the winch line park and they allow pulling the boat to a mooring after it is waterborne. Now with your trailer in the water, release enough slack line from the winch to launch and slide the boat into the water. Check the boat for required federal equipment. The Coast Guard auxiliary and or power squadron will give you the requirements. They are life jackets, fire extinguisher, horn, and running lights. Now, let's discuss recovery of your boat. The person in the boat should use a paddle to maneuver the boat to the dock or the trailer. You can then put one of your crew ashore to secure the tagline. Next, with your trailer in the water, you're ready to secure the winch line to the eye of the boat. Then with your passengers out of the boat, start taking in on the winch. Crank the boat onto the trailer until the bow rests against the stansion stop. Then the winch man should secure the tagline to the trailer stansion. Check to be sure the boat is properly on the trailer. If so, pull away from the ramp. Remember that other boatmen may be waiting. Remember also to pull the drain plug allowing BGE water to drain. Check everything again just as you did before leaving home. As an additional precaution, you should carry a spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and a spare wheel bearing. A bearing can be a difficult part to obtain on a weekend. Take care to maintain proper tire inflation. And if your trailer is so equipped, maintain proper hydraulic brake fluid in your trailer's brake system. Well, there you have it. You've heard from Mr. Olsen, Jerry Grant, Dan Gurnie, and Scott Carpenter. Now, let's hear from another man, the one who is ultimately responsible for the safety of American boatman. From the United States Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, Admiral AC Wagner. Boating is one of the finest recreational sports we have. There is a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment in boating. But a single moment's laxity can lead to tragedy. Safety is the only thing that can make boating the safe sport it should be. I'm sure that you have all learned something from this movie. And I wish to extend my appreciation and that of the United States Coast Guard to Mr. Olsen for sponsoring this film. By his concern for the American Boatman, he has added a much needed dimension to safe boating. Remember all that you have seen here today. It may save your life. It most certainly will save you from serious accident. I personally wish each and every one of you safe and pleasurable boating. [Music] [Music] Bottom fisherman reporting excellent success. shrimp and clam captain reports fair catches spot over by the western shore running in the channel suddenly and without warning. This is usually the way boating accidents and drownings happen each year. For instance, there are about 1,200 drowning victims. These weren't people who drowned while swimming. Most never intended going into the water. Either their boat capsized or they fell into the water. Surprisingly enough, almost half were known to have had life-saving devices available in their boat. Yet, most were never used. Why? The answer is simple. Time. Boating accidents happen so quickly, there just isn't enough time to react. Look what can happen on a sudden start. or an unexpected [Music] turn or to an overloaded boat. These are some of the many emergency situations which make life-saving devices so important. Federal law requires every motorboat to have one Coast Guard approved life-saving device for each person on board. But just having them on board is not enough. It's somewhat like seat belts and the automobile. They're there, but unless you use them, they're of no help. Remember, whenever you're boating, use Coast Guard approved life-saving [Music] devices. This is a life preserver. It's one of several life-saving devices approved by the United States Coast Guard. Others include the buoyant vest, buoyant cushion, ring buoy, or specialurpose device. Which one is best? Of course, the best are Coast Guard approved, but it's up to you to decide which of these is best for your particular needs. Here's how they work. The life preserver, both the jacket type and the bib design, are probably the most effective. They provide maximum protection, hold the wearer upright so that even the face of a non-swmer or an unconscious person is above water and will actually turn an unconscious person upright. The buoyant vest, it resembles the bib preserver except that it has slightly less buoyancy. Yet many designs will also turn an unconscious person upright. And because it is less bulky than the preservers, it is favored by people who wish to retain more freedom of action. Specialurpose devices, water ski jump vests, buoyant jackets and vests for hunters and sailing vests. These devices can be used in other activities. There are many sizes, so be sure yours fits properly. Buoyant cushions handy in an emergency and they're easy to throw. However, because they must be clung to in the water, they don't give positive protection to children, non-swmers, and injured persons. Cushions are not designed to be worn, but if you must, the best procedure is to put your arms through the straps and hug the cushion to your chest. Another procedure is to put opposite leg and arm into the straps. But remember, never wear the cushion on your back. This is what can happen. It'll turn your face under the water. And finally, ring buoys. Perhaps the most familiar of all life-saving devices. An excellent device for throwing, but take care not to hit the person in the water. Life preservers, vests or specialurpose devices should be worn by children and nonswmers at all times, especially in small open boats. For the others, the good swimmers, water conditions and other situations should dictate when and what type of device should be worn. For instance, if you're alone, you need maximum protection. But if you're in a fairly crowded area where others could provide help if necessary, buoyant cushions may be adequate. In any emergency situation or whenever there's the slightest doubt of safety, life-saving devices should be worn by everyone. Make sure there's an approved device carried and assigned to every person on board that they know where it is and can get to it in a hurry if needed. And equally important, they should know how it's to be worn and how it will perform in the water. Remember, plan ahead, expect the unexpected, for only in this way will you be ready should an emergency strike, as it usually does, suddenly and without warning. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat [Music] up here. Heat [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] up here. [Music] Make sure you get everything out of the pool. Well, you're getting to be a pretty good bunch of river runners. How'd you like to do it again? You know that river demands respect every inch of the way. I don't want to try and frighten you or seem overcautious, but I saw some things out there today that we've got to talk about. Next time, Janie, keep your shoes on. That'll protect your feet from the cold and the rocks. And life jackets must be worn at all times. No exceptions. A couple of you were showing off in the rapids today. We just can't have that. You know, if just one person fouls up, a whole boat can be in trouble. On the river, as in life, most people get into trouble because they either overestimate their own ability or they underestimate the forces pulling them into danger. Bishop, have you ever been in a boat that's flipped over? I have. Once when I was a young river guide, I took a group much like this one down the river. Our rap is better anyway. Molly's going to come with us. All right, this is great. All right, let's jump on. Come on. Your life jacket. Go get it. Run, you guys. Let's go. You guys ready to go? Yeah. Let's go, guys. Come on. Let's go. Let's go. [Applause] We're going the wrong way. Down that way. Hey, you're going to need to put your life jacket on. Oh, I don't need it. There's no rapids right here. I'm a good swimmer anyway. We got to have it on. It's a force of earth regulation. Okay, whatever. How's that? This is nothing. When I was here before, you should have seen it. There were so many rapids. What is this before stuff? And there was there was a bunch of deer up there and it was it was really pretty. Steve, has anybody drowned and got killed on this river? Yeah, once in a while things like that can happen. Hey, Steve, let's take those rapids over there. They're a lot better. No way. We'll never make it that way. You're just two chickens. Here, let me do it. All right, let's go. I know what I'm doing. Don't worry. I don't I don't Yeah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Are you all right? Are you okay? Where's Molly? Molly, there she is. Oh, you okay? We got to get her down. Holly, is she all right, you guys? Is there anything? You shoved her under. Come on. Is she Is she breathing yet? Come on. Come on. Come on. Breathe. Come [Applause] on. Heat. We almost lost Molly that day. I realized there are things we do we can't undo. People can drown. You know, as a bishop, I I often think of the river and the lessons it teaches us. A run down the river is a lot like staying morally clean. You have to obey the rules and follow good counsel to get through safely. I know that some of you are in the rapids now. I just hope you're pointed in the right direction when you hit the big waves or you could capsize your lives. I like you guys. I don't want to lose any of you. Let's talk about sexual morality in the river. President Kimell has had a great deal to say about morality. I've heard him say that you young people are wholesome and basically good and sound. I believe that our young people are wholesome and basically good and sound. But they too are traveling where great disasters can come unless warnings are heeded. Concerning sexual purity, President Kimell has warned us that Satan will use his logic to confuse us and everything in his power to destroy us. He'll shade meanings, open doors an inch at a time to lead us from the purest white through all the shades of great darkest black. That the church's stand on morality may be understood. We declare firmly and unalterably. It is not an outworn garment, faded, old-fashioned, and threadbear. The law of chastity will always be basic in God's world and in the Lord's church. The sexual drives which bind men and women together as one are good and necessary. But here, more than almost any other place, we must exercise self-control, these drives, which are the fountain head of human life, are to be allowed, expressing only in the sanctity of the marriage. During my years on the river and as a bishop, a lot of young people like yourselves have shared their thoughts about morality with me. Sex is sacred. It's a gift and it's one of the most um sacred powers. It's such a special thing and that you grow maybe closer to each other, you and your partner, and closer to our heavenly father in doing this, but it should be when you're married. And it's something that I think our heavenly father has given us to bring a man and a wife closer together and to make a oneness that needs to be there and a partnership a partnership that um you use with your heavenly father to bring spirits down in the to earth. Immorality does not begin in adultery or perversion. It begins with little indiscretions. Thoughts about sex, talking about sex, and even a kiss or two could lead you into trouble. So, once you've held the boy's hands, it's hard to not hold his hand. And once you've kissed him, it's hard to stop kissing and go back to holding hands. And once you've kissed a lot, it's hard to just say kiss with one good night kiss. When we talk of sex, our first thought is adultery and fornication. But our second one and close on its heels is the sex stimulation to self and others. Sometimes called petting. It's a damning and a damnable transgression. And then of course it is also the gateway to the final acts of fornication and adultery. The young man is untrue to his manhood, who promises popularity, good times, security, fun, and even love when all he can give is passion and its diabolical fruits, guilt complexes, disgust, hatred, abhorance, eventual loathing and possible pregnancy without legitimacy and honor. And you girls are untrue to yourselves if you encourage or allow this to happen. You know, sometimes the way you dress or the way you act makes these guys think that you're interested in something different than you really are. That's like playing in the rapids. When you're in the white water, things can happen fast. Masturbation, or rather common indiscretion, is not approved of the Lord, nor of his church. Anyone burdened by this weakness, should certainly abandon the habit. Sometimes masturbation is the introduction to the more serious sins of exhibitionism and the gross sin of homosexuality. I hope fervently that I am making clear the position of the Lord and his church on these unmentionable practices. Also, President Kimell has warned us over and over again to leave pornography alone. Well, I know I had a bit of a problem with pornography. I felt like I had to see more and more. It was almost like I was addicted to it. And then this one day, somebody came in with a new magazine or something and everybody walked over to see them. And uh I got up and at that same moment a TV commercial came on and this guy just said that some laundry detergent was stronger than dirt. And that just hit me with such a force. It was as if the Lord had spoken to me that something was stronger than dirt. And I felt I have got to be stronger than dirt. And that was a turning point for me. Sex is sacred and should not be misused. The experience that may bring the greatest joy and fulfillment in life can also bring the greatest sorrow and remorse if wrongly used. We may do as we please, but we can't avoid responsibility. We may break the laws, but we can't avoid the penalties. You don't get away with anything. God is just. Things that I did, I didn't forgive myself very easy from. And a lot of times I thought to myself, "No, Heavenly Father doesn't forgive me. I'm not good enough to go to the temple. I'm not good enough to have a good clean life, a good clean family." And I projected it to be that this was the way Heavenly Father felt about me. You need to know that you're loved. But if you have gone wrong, the Lord and the church can forgive. The way of the transgressor is hard and tough and long and thorny. But the Lord has promised that for all those sins and errors outside of the named unpardonable sins, there is forgiveness. But many people misunderstand the principle of repentance and have the misconception that a few prayers can bounce them back in moments or hours the long distance that they skidded over months and possibly years. A lot of people try and do it and don't succeed because others won't let them. They don't want their friends to succeed if they can't. They say, "Well, I can't be good, so why should she? And I'm going to make sure she's not." I felt just totally helpless until I went and talked to my bishop and then he made me realize that it wasn't a helpless case. You can do things about it. You can get your self-confidence back and your self-respect. It's your responsibility to navigate your own lives. Let's talk about specifics. What can you do to stay morally clean? I always make my decisions before. So like if anybody ever asked me to go on a date or something before I'm 16, then I've already made that decision that I'm not going to. So it won't be hard for me to say no. The Lord has set these standards and I as a priesthood bear have the responsibility to to keep myself morally clean and to help my friends keep the same standards. My dad when I turned 16, he sat me down and he said, "Okay, what are your goals?" And I said, "Oh, huh." Or you had made some up. And he said, "That's not good enough." And so we sat and we talked about it and I decided that I would I wouldn't single date for at least a year. And I didn't. And we have long interviews, you know, usually they're like 15 minutes. And he goes deeper into his interviews, especially with me cuz I'm his son, you know, I guess. And you know, by the types of things he says, I can tell that he cares. Okay. Well, to start out my date, before the guy even comes and picks me up, I always have a prayer just just so that I'll be on my toes, you know, that I'll have a good evening. I'll have fun so that I I'll be more comfortable if I know that Heavenly Father's on my side and he's watching me. President Kimell says that dating, especially steady dating in your early teens, can be very hazardous. It distorts your whole picture of life. It deprivives you of many worthwhile and rich experiences. That's something to think about. You all have or someday will have deep feelings and strong sexual drives. The Lord intends it that way. But these feelings are difficult to control and we must be sure they are not misused. These feelings, the friends you have, and the places you go together make all the difference. They influence what you think and what you do. You have to decide how far you're going to let it go. Um, are you going to let him put his arm around you? Are you going to let him kiss you? What are you going to do? And you have to decide before you ever go with him. Cuz when you're there, it's too late. They make you feel like, well, to strengthen our relationship, we need this and this. And you know when you're dating non-members or whatever and even a lot of the members of the church are like this they they feel like they want to they want to make the relationship grow and be more more close and you can't you have to in my mind you have to wait till you're married to have a strong bond like that like in high school. You don't need that. You really what you need is a friend. So as long as I'm clean I will be able to face my heavenly father with no regrets. And another thing is the self-ride in knowing hey I can do it. Can you control those feelings if you go to the wrong kind of movies? It's impossible. And what about pornography? I've come to realize that pornography can be worse than alcohol. Alcohol leaves our system eventually, but the images of pornography can stay in our minds indefinitely. And I guess the smart ones are the ones that never take that first look. As a river guide, I'd suggest that you steer away from situations or places that can cause trouble. But if that's impossible and you find your feelings getting out of control, then get out of there fast and take your friends with you. I guess it's up to me, the person I want to be. I I have to decide. I have to be responsible for my own actions. No matter who I'm with or where I am, it's really up to me. Let's consider your choice of friends. That can make a big difference. The people who you think are your best best friends can be your worst enemies because they want you to be just like them. If they're not good for you, you can't be with them because they're going to hurt you. We talk a lot about the negative peer pressure and and you know that can be remedied a little bit by going with the right kind of friends and stuff, but positive peer pressure is really important and it can work not just so much to keep you out of trouble, but to make you a better person. after my parents have spent so much time in raising me and then you know if I go turn 15 and am into sex already then everything that they've looked forward to and all the hard teaching that they've worked on is down the tube. Surround yourself with friends who share the same standards and ideals. Grow strong. Stand strong together. Help each other keep these feelings under control. Stay away from those danger spots on the river. One more thought, perhaps the most important of all. Remember, the guide who knows you best is your father in heaven. He has set the standards. Stay close to him through prayer. I think um I gained a close relationship with my heavenly father. How were you able to accomplish that? Through prayer. Um, he's really my best friend. I think he trusts us a lot and sometimes we let him down and I don't think it's very fair to him and I know he loves me and I don't want to hurt him. Brothers and sisters, we love you. We're proud of you. Most of you have lived beyond reproach. We're grateful for that. There are any who have had problems. They are solvable. We ask the Lord's blessings upon you all the days of your life. So he set me on my journey down the river. And he said he would always follow me. He taught me the joy of reaching the shore. He taught me the song of destiny. I will sing a song, a song of love. Sing praise to him who rules above. For as fierce as may be, he will guide my destiny. I will sing my song. Sing praise to him. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music]