In a Latter-day Saint temple, in a crowded humanitarian service project and on a stage lit by phone flashlights, the power of gathering as disciples of Jesus Christ was felt by 236 young single adults representing 30 nationalities at the second international YSA Conference in Asia.
Held July 30-Aug. 3 in Bangkok, Thailand, the event brought together young adults across Asia under the theme “Rooted and Rising,” reported the Church’s Hong Kong Newsroom.
Elder Benjamin M.Z. Tai, General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s Asia Area, said that the event blended “the social, the fun, with the spiritual and service.”
He shared that it will help young adults recognize “they are not alone, there’s others just like them and they’re all part of this journey together.”
Individuals who attended the conference expressed gratitude for the conference. Latrell Garcia, 27, from the Philippines said, “There are many challenges in life that we encounter, especially these days, so I think Heavenly Father sees this conference that we need to get together, even if we’re from different countries, speak different languages, we came here to speak in one Church, one love.”
Finding strength in the house of the Lord
For many participants, the spiritual highlight was entering the Bangkok Thailand Temple — particularly those who live in countries without temples.
Among them was Monesha Biswas, 23, of Bangladesh, who received her temple endowment during the conference.
“I had the feeling that whatever I suffered till now, it was OK if I have the opportunity to be here today,” she said. “I feel peace, and I just thought that I’m here, and nothing else matters.”
Others joined in proxy ordinances. “When I closed my eyes in the temple, I felt a great Spirit in my life,” said Krishna Nepali, 30, of Nepal. “Heavenly Father wants me to do more [temple] work again and again.”
For many, the temple day gave answers to questions after workshops on resilience, forgiveness, relationships and education. “I felt answered,” said Veronica Mukweya, 25, of Zimbabwe, studying in China. “I got the answers to what I was looking for, and I can say that was really, really powerful and a little bit emotional for me.”
Serving with joy
The conference also emphasized service. Nearly 70 young adults assembled 300 school, hygiene and art kits to be donated to Bangkok’s Punyawuthikorn School, which serves children with special needs.
Paul Franklin, 33, of Sri Lanka, said he felt joy in that work. “People were so excited. I thought people were gloriously engaged, and we were just enjoying the work — it’s super.”
Meanwhile, a smaller group visited the school itself, where they sang and danced with autistic students, played traditional Thai instruments and even helped serve lunch.
Wanda Bonilla, 24, from El Salvador, now studying in China, said she saw the Light of Christ in others during the acts of service. “Sharing with them and having a good moment together was something to follow the example of Jesus Christ.”
For Leslie Ortega, 26, a United States native teaching in Hong Kong, the joy was mutual. “The look on their faces made everything worth it,” she said.
Miracles and testimonies
Senior missionaries Elder Mark Hoke and Sister Jan Hoke, who helped oversee the conference, said they saw “so many miracles,” reported the Hong Kong news release.
Those miracles included young adults from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka attending the conference for the first time, 12 individuals who received their endowments, and patriarchal blessings given by visiting English-speaking patriarchs to participants from countries without one.
One special moment was personal for Vijaya Ganesar, 25, from Malaysia. Though initially hesitant to attend, she found herself sharing her testimony of the gospel with an external activity leader hired to discuss team-building who was not a member. Local missionaries arrived with a copy of the Book of Mormon in Thai and extended an invitation to come to church the next day.
United in faith and friendship
Even in lighter moments, the spirit of unity prevailed. At the talent show, one participant struggled with his song until the audience pulled out their phones, lit flashlights and sang with him, moving him to tears.
“We support each other, and we give each other power,” said Le Thuy Vy Huynh, 33, of Vietnam. “We’re here with you; don’t worry, just do it — and we finish the show. It’s wonderful, I cannot find anything like this, and [it really] touched me that moment.”
For many, those moments captured the spirit of the conference: faith strengthened, service rendered, friendships formed and testimonies shared.
“To see the future leaders of the Asia Area in many of these young people has been inspiring,” said Sister Hoke. “They are such pure hearts, just such good people, and we can see that this gospel is going to grow in the Asia Area.”
