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Thousands of young single adults from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City over the weekend for a three-day conference focused on faith, service, and community. The event featured keynote addresses from several Church leaders, including Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, Sister Tamara W. Runia of the Young Women General Presidency, Utah Area President Elder Brian K. Taylor, and Sister Kristen Oaks.
Attendees participated in various service projects during the conference. Activities included assembling backpacks for children experiencing trauma, writing notes to seniors facing loneliness, making paracord lanyards for deployed soldiers, repurposing plastic bags into sleeping mats for homeless individuals, building birthday boxes for children in need, packing hygiene kits for those without shelter, and creating Disney-themed wigs for children undergoing medical treatment.
Iris, one attendee at the conference, said: “It is exciting to see everyone coming here and [to know] that you’re not the only one who wants to seek for Christ. I am excited and inspired to see how much Jesus cares about the youth of the Church. And He cares so much that He brings people, speakers … to share principles and values that He cherishes.”
Bishop Caussé addressed participants on Friday evening about their role in what he described as "the gathering of Israel," calling it "the most important thing taking place today." He stated: “The Church needs you — not in spite of who you are, but because of who you are. Each of you brings unique gifts and life experiences that are essential to fulfilling the Lord’s purposes.” He encouraged young adults to remember that their most important calling is to be disciples of Jesus Christ through everyday acts such as service and outreach.
“This is one of the distinguishing marks of being a Latter-day Saint: There is always something purposeful we can do,” Bishop Caussé said. “The true test of discipleship is this: Will we choose to serve without being asked? Will we seek out opportunities to bless others?”
Sister Runia spoke earlier on Friday about God’s love and support through challenges. She said: “Because of His Atonement, Christ has the right to turn any nightmare or lonely canyon we are experiencing into a blessing. As the Lord says in Doctrine and Covenants 98:3, ‘All things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good.’ I don’t pretend to know how it works. But it feels like a kind of divine alchemy that will, in the end, bring you and me — and all of God’s children who keep trying — back home to heavenly parents, who are waiting with open arms.”
Elder Taylor emphasized individual worth by referencing teachings from Joseph Smith: “The Prophet Joseph Smith said that the first principle of the gospel is to come to know for certainty the character of God,” Elder Taylor said. “The first principle of the gospel isn’t to know that you are a child of God. It’s actually to know the character of God. We are better off turning away from ourselves to find worth and turning toward God to find our true, infinite, eternal worth.”
Sister Kristen Oaks concluded Saturday's main session by urging attendees not only to focus on becoming disciples but also on finding purpose during uncertain times in life: “Concern yourself most about becoming a disciple of Christ,” she said. “Your light will attract others to you because light attracts light.” She outlined five guiding truths centered around identity as children of God and seeking counsel from leaders.
She added: “As children of God, you have the capacity to create beautiful lives,” Sister Oaks said. “You are works in progress. The choices you make determine who you are and what you become. As you draw closer to the light of our Savior Jesus Christ, you are illuminated by His light.”
Breakout sessions throughout the weekend covered topics such as emotional wellness, personal development, professional growth and Church history; social activities included dancing and roller skating alongside performances by Andy Grammer and NEEDTOBREATHE.
Matheus from Brazil shared his experience meeting other attendees: “There’s this awesome energy here,” he said. “I talked to a lot of strangers... For me it strengthened my testimony and [gave me] strength to keep going and keep working on myself and getting a connection with God and Christ.”
The conference was scheduled to conclude Sunday evening with a devotional led by President Jeffrey R. Holland at Temple Square's Conference Center.
