Look at 6 behind-the-scene photo galleries of recent devotionals with senior Brethren
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President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Brent Nielson, Presidency of the Seventy, and Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, participate in a Zoom meeting with young single adults from the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 7, 2021. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Elder Ulisses Soares, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife Sister Rosana Soares, right, laugh during a devotional broadcast from the Church Office building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 21, 2021. Rory Bigelow, Associate Administrator of Operations at Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, and his wife Tammy also participate. Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talks with President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives a talk as part of the recording of a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asks questions to Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President, and Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute as they prepare to record their message in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.to an on-line group of young single adults. Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, participate in a devotional for French-speaking young adult Latter-day Saints around the world on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021.
Over the past month, a First Presidency counselor and six members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles have led a half-dozen streamed devotionals designed to reach Latter-day Saint young adults worldwide.
Brief recaps, photo galleries offering behind-the-scenes looks, and links to the Church News’ coverage and to YouTube videos of the actual devotionals are offered below.
Targeting young adults 18 to 30
Beginning Feb. 21 and running through Sunday, March 21, the six devotionals have targeted young-adult members ages 18 to 30 — single or married.
Available to Latter-day Saints on the six major continents, the broadcasts have been done in 31 languages, from Albanian to Ukrainian. Each YouTube video will be available for 30 days after the broadcast (the links are included below each recap and photo gallery).
President Oaks and Elder Christofferson address Spanish-speaking young adults
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President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Kathy Christofferson listen as Sister Kristen Oaks gives her talk in recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, join President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks, in recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks, talk in the doorway of the studio prior to recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talks with President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles looks over notes prior to recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks, listen as they join Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, in a conversation while recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, laugh as they join President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks, in a conversation while recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints walks toward the podium to deliver his talk in recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives a talk in recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Sister Kristen Oaks waves as she steps to the podium for her part in recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles delivers his talk in recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Sister Kathy Christofferson records her talk as part of a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives a talk as part of the recording of a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Sister Kristen Oaks gives her talk in recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles records his talk for a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gives his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, the thumbs up as they talk prior to recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints listens to translation as his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks, records her talk for a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Sister Kristen Oaks sits and goes over her talk as Sister Kathy Christofferson records hers for a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles quietly applauds after his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson completed her talk in Spanish for a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles helps his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, with her collar and necklace as they talk prior to recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Kathy Christofferson, join President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks in recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Sister Kathy Christofferson and Sister Kristen Oaks talk prior to recording a March 14 Spanish-language young adult devotional that was taped at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
A focus on increasing faith served as the common message for two senior Church leaders and their wives in a March 14 devotional for Spanish-speaking young adults throughout Latin America and Spain.
President Oaks, told listeners: “We all need to increase our faith in God the Eternal Father and in His Son Jesus Christ.”
The streamed broadcast featured President Oaks, Sister Kristen Oaks, Elder Christofferson and Sister Kathy Christofferson. All four delivered closing messages in Spanish following a translated discussion answering a handful of questions from participating young adults.
President Ballard speaks to young adults across North America
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President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Brent Nielson, Presidency of the Seventy, and Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, talk priorate participating in a Zoom meeting with young single adults from the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 7, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Brent Nielson, Presidency of the Seventy, and Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, participate in a Zoom meeting with young single adults from the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 7, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Brent Nielson, Presidency of the Seventy, and Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, participate in a Zoom meeting with young single adults from the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 7, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Brent Nielson, Presidency of the Seventy, and Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, participate in a Zoom meeting with young single adults from the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 7, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, prepares to participate in a Zoom meeting with young single adults from the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 7, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Youth listen as President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Brent Nielson, Presidency of the Seventy, and Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, participate in a Zoom meeting with young single adults from the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 7, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Elder Brent Nielson, Presidency of the Seventy, and Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, prepare to participate in a Zoom meeting with young single adults from the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 7, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Youth listen as President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Brent Nielson, Presidency of the Seventy, and Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor, Relief Society General Presidency, participate in a Zoom meeting with young single adults from the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 7, 2021. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Looking at screens dotted with the faces of young adults from across North America, President Ballard said the images filled him with confidence for the future, and he promised that even amid dark times, there is hope and light.
“May the Lord bless you, my beloved young people, with the realization now of how very important you are for the future of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “Do not underestimate what the Lord has ahead for you.”
Elder Holland speaks to Europe, Europe East and Africa areas
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asks questions to Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President, and Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute as they prepare to record their message in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.to an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Craig Butler, teleprompter support sits in a control room as Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President, and Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute prepare to record their message in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.to an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints laughs as he Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President, and Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute prepare to record their message from a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 to an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse, sits in his chair as he Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President, Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute sit down with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 to record a meeting with an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President laughs as she, brother Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute, and Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse;sit down with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 to record a meeting with an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute laughs and smiles as he talks with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse and Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President, as they prepare to record their message in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 to an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asks questions to Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President, and Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute as they prepare to record their message in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.to an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prepares to record his talk to an on-line group of young single adults, from a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President; looks at her scriptures as she, brother Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute, and Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse;sit down with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 to record a meeting with an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asks questions to Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President, and Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute as they prepare to record their message in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.to an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asks questions to Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President, and Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute as they prepare to record their message in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021.to an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
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Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general President; talks with Chad Webb, Church Administrator of Seminaries and Institute as they sit down with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Presiding Bishop Gerold Causse, in a studio at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021 to record a meeting with an on-line group of young single adults. | Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Speaking to young adults from Newcastle to Novosibirsk and from Copenhagen to Cape Town, Elder Holland began his message by clarifying that his purpose was not to “recruit” them to attend institute.
“You don’t exist so institute can become a successful Church program,” said the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “No, it’s the other way around. Institute exists so you can become a successful Latter-day Saint.”
Elder Holland’s message was part of a March 7 devotional for young adults across the Europe, Europe East and Africa areas. The devotional also included a panel discussion with Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon and Brother Chad H. Webb, administrator of Seminaries and Institutes.
Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Credit: Screenshot ChurchofJesusChrist.org
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Credit: Screenshot ChurchofJesusChrist.org
As a “friend and fellow disciple” motivated by love and respect, Elder Andersen testified to French-speaking young adult Latter-day Saints in a Feb. 21 devotional “that your faith in Jesus Christ is not in vain. You will see Him again. All the world will know He is the Son of God.”
In the 12 years since being called as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, he has experienced sacred moments, “unspeakable experiences and feelings that I never anticipated in my life, assuring me of the reality of Jesus Christ.”
Speaking in French to listeners in Africa, Tahiti, France, Canada, Haiti and the French islands of the Caribbean and other locations, Elder Andersen and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, who also speaks French, reinforced and encouraged young adults’ faith.
Elder Rasband teaches young adults across Asia and the Pacific
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Left to right, Sister Melanie T. Rasband, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of Church Education Elder Paul V. Johnson, and Sister Jill Johnson, listen to those on the videoconference feed during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, center left, speaks during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of Church Education Elder Paul V. Johnson, left, speaks and Sister Jill Johnson, right, listens during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Moses Niumatalolo, left, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, second from the right, and Sister Melanie T. Rasband, far, right listen as Jomelene Tychingco speaks during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, middle, smiles at Sister Melanie T. Rasband, right, during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Those on stage and in the Tabernacle audience wave goodbye to those on the videoconference feed during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Church members take notes during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Left to right, Sister Melanie T. Rasband, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of Church Education Elder Paul V. Johnson, and Sister Jill Johnson, listen to those on the videoconference feed during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Moses Niumatalolo, left, listens as Jomelene Tychingco speaks during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, left, speaks and Sister Melanie T. Rasband, right, listens during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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A church member sings during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
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Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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Ben Rasband, a nephew of Elder Ronald A. Rasband and returned missionary from the Samoa Apia Mission, offers the benediction during the young adult devotional for Pacific and Asia areas at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square on Saturday, March 13, 2021. | Credit: Annie Barker, Deseret News
More than a mere “thank you,” gratitude is both a heartfelt expression and a commandment, taught Elder Rasband in a March 13 devotional for young adults in the Church’s Asia, Asia North, Pacific and Philippines areas.
“Gratitude is more than just words of appreciation; it is an expression of the heart, one filled with love, humility, integrity, steadfastness, and courage,’’ said the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “In a world facing tension, conflict, economic upsets and a raging virus, gratitude at times seems in short supply.”
Elder Rasband and his wife, Sister Melanie T. Rasband, spoke at the live-broadcast devotional originating from the Salt Lake Tabernacle, and were joined by Elder Paul V. Johnson, a General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of Church Education, and Sister Jill Johnson.
Elder Soares addresses Portuguese-speaking young adults
Elder Ulisses Soares, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife Sister Rosana Soares, right, laugh during a devotional broadcast from the Church Office building in Salt Lake City on Sunday, March 21, 2021. Rory Bigelow, Associate Administrator of Operations at Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, and his wife Tammy also participate. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
In his own native language, Elder Ulisses Soares testified Sunday to Portuguese-speaking young adults — spread across the world — that trusting the Lord and His ordained servants remedies pandemics, economic hardships and all other tribulations.
“Following the counsel of the prophets will protect us and will cause the heavens to shake for our good,” said Elder Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in a young adult devotional originating from Church headquarters and broadcast to Brazil, Portugal and several African nations.
Sunday’s devotional marked a memorable moment for the Brazilian-born Apostle. It was the first time Elder Soares spoke to a vast international audience in his native language of Portuguese.
