President Joseph Fielding Smith declared: “Our young people … are the nobility of heaven, a choice and chosen generation who have a divine destiny. Their spirits have been reserved to come forth in this day when the gospel is on the earth, and when the Lord needs valiant servants to carry on his great latter-day work.” Ensign April 1970.
In General Priesthood Meeting, President Spencer W. Kimball declared, “We are rearing a royal generation—thousands of whom sit with us here tonight—who have special things to do.” Conference April 1976.
Although there have always been challenges in the world, many of those which you face are unique to this time. But you are some of our Heavenly Father’s strongest children, and He has saved you to come to the earth “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). With His help, you will have the courage to face whatever comes. Though the world may at times appear dark, you have the light of the gospel, which will be as a beacon to guide your way. (Ensign, May 2009)
In this challenging world, the youth of the Church are the very best ever. (Ensign, April 2005)\
God bless you, my dear young friends. You are the best generation we have ever had. You know the gospel better. You are more faithful in your duties. You are stronger to face the temptations which come your way. (Ensign, November 2003, 82)
First, I want to tell you that I love you. I love you kids, you wonderful young people of this Church. I love you. I believe you are the best generation this Church has ever had. No generation which has gone before measures up to the stature to which you measure up. You are better educated. I think you have greater faith I think you have shown that faith and are showing that faith [more] than any other previous generation. (BYU-Idaho, Oct. 22, 2002)
Believe in yourselves as sons and daughters of God-men and women with unlimited potential to do good in the world. Believe in personal virtue. There is no substitute for it anywhere under the heavens. Believe in your power to discipline yourselves against the evils that could destroy you. Believe in one another as the greatest generation ever yet to live upon the earth. (CES Fireside for Young Adults, 9 Sept 2001)
I have every reason to regard you as the greatest generation we’ve ever had in this Church—notwithstanding all of the temptations which you face. (Church News, 4 Sept. 1999, 3)
Each time I have stood before a group of young people, there has come into my mind the great and prophetic statement made by Peter of old. Said he: "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet. 2:9).
I know of no other statement which more aptly describes you, nor which sets before you a higher ideal by which to shape and guide your lives....
Notwithstanding all of the problems that we have, this, I believe, is the greatest generation in the history of the world. And you young people are a part of it. You are the beneficiaries of it. Its fruits are here to bless your lives if you will grasp them and live worthy of them. (Ensign, May 1992, 69-70)
Now, I'd like to say just a word to the young people here, you who are in your teens, you wonderful hope of the future, you faithful young Latter-day Saints, you who attend seminary and go to institute, you who are the best generation we have ever had in this Church: Be faithful. Be true. (Mexico City, Mexico, 9 Nov. 1997)
This is the greatest generation in the history of the world. How wonderful to be born at this time in the history of the earth. I hope you young people are grateful that this is the season of your lives…. You're not just here by chance. You are here under the design of God. (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 719-720)