The Adventist Youth Society is a department of the church through which the church works for and through her youth. “Moses answered, –We will go with our young and old, with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, because we are to celebrate a festival to the Lord'” (Ex. 10:9, NIV). “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates” (Deut. 6:6-8, NIV). “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and purity” (1 Tim. 4:12, NIV).
“We have an army of youth today who can do much if they are properly directed and encouraged. . . .We want them to be blessed of God. We want them to act a part in well-organized plans for helping other youth.” Ellen G. White, in General Conference Bulletin, Jan. 29, 30, 1893, p. 24.

“When the youth give their hearts to God, our responsibility for them does not cease. They must be interested in the Lord’s work, and led to see that He expects them to do something to advance His cause. It is not enough to show how much needs to be done, and to urge the youth to act a part. They must be taught how to labor for the Master. They must be trained, disciplined, drilled, in the best methods of winning souls to Christ. Teach them to try in a quiet, unpretending way to help their young companions. Let different branches of missionary effort be systematically laid out, in which they may take part, and let them be given instruction and help. Thus they will learn to work for God.” Gospel Workers, p. 210.
“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!” Messages to Young People, p. 196.