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President Jeffrey R. Holland addressed thousands of young single adults at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on August 31, 2025, encouraging them to continue following Jesus Christ throughout their lives.
Speaking at the end of the three-day “Together in Christ” conference, President Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, reflected on three significant moments from his youth that brought him closer to Jesus Christ: his missionary service, education, and marriage.
During his remarks about missionary service, President Holland explained that he was influenced by four older friends—Stephen Jones, Wendell Gray, Mervin Cox, and R. J. Snow—who had served missions before him. He said their examples made a lasting impression:
“It was obvious that on their missions they had experienced a mighty change,” President Holland said. “They had come closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. The manner and example of these friends substantially affected my decision to serve a mission. … Whenever I saw them out on a date or at a ball game or heard them speak in Church, I simply said: ‘I want to be like that. If that is what a mission does, making friends like this even greater disciples of Christ, then I want to serve a mission.’”
He emphasized that continued faithfulness after missionary service is important for everyone but especially for young adults:
“We have all kinds of work to do before the Savior comes,” President Holland said. “I hope no sister or elder ever comes home from a mission and says, ‘Well, what does the Church have for me now? I've served a mission.’ Well, I hope I will hear you ask instead, ‘What more can I do for this Church after it has given me the greatest spiritual experience I could ever have, customized training, a powerful launch into maturity more powerful than anyone has seen since one of those incredible detonations from Cape Kennedy?’”
On education’s role in personal growth and spiritual development, President Holland recounted how his parents expected him to succeed academically and how revelation guided his own educational path:
“If you are trying to draw close to the Savior and you have a relationship started with your Father in Heaven and you are striving to improve every year, you can count on revelation to guide you,” President Holland said. “Be strong. Be patient. Stay the task. Keep your head up!”
He encouraged pursuing all forms of learning as part of helping oneself and others:
“We have to learn everything we can for the benefit of our spouse, our children, our communities and the Church,” President Holland said. “We owe it to the great causes of life still before us that we get as much learning as we can get for as long as we can get it. … All forms of education are part of the gospel plan to elevate the soul and improve one’s personal life.”
Reflecting on marriage and its influence on discipleship in Christ’s teachings, President Holland spoke about his late wife Pat who died in 2023 after sixty years together:
“Your ideal friendship (should you have one!) will be enhanced dramatically as you keep trying to come to Christ —progress you make first alone, then next as a couple even if it means waiting for a long time to find this partner and see the power of a righteous marriage in action,” President Holland said.
He also shared how faith brings comfort amid loss:
“If I thought I was not going to see her and be with her in eternity I would be inconsolable regardless of who tried to extend that consolation,” he said. “But I will see her; if I am worthy; I will be with her in eternity.”
President Holland urged young adults present at the event—and those watching elsewhere—to build their lives upon Jesus Christ’s teachings so they can withstand challenges ahead:
“I am sure you noticed [in Helaman 5:12] references to mighty winds and whirlwinds hail and mighty storms that beat upon you,” he stated. “We have got to be prepared to experience those challenges because they will come Many of you know that already The rest shouldn’t be surprised when they arrive.”
Concluding his address he added,
“Our theme tonight ‘Together in Christ’ drawing near being bound—that's what we enjoyed here.” He continued: “I bear witness Him living Son living God Alpha Omega our lives framer heaven earth who through His Atonement unfailing obedience Father makes dreams reality.”
