The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.

While acknowledging challenges young adults face, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared encouragement with the young single adults in the Philippines to stay close to the Savior and look to the future with faith. 

In this 60th anniversary year of the Church in the Philippines, young adults can look forward with faith and optimism to the 100th anniversary — “at a time when there are so many things which are challenging and, yet, when the future is so bright,” Elder Gong said. 

Devotional discussion questions included keeping balance and priorities in life, seeing themselves and their families in the plan of salvation, helping all seek and find belonging and hope in Jesus Christ, preparing for or transitioning home from missions, and ways to face the future with faith rather than fear. 

Elder Gong was joined by his wife, Sister Susan Gong; Elder Steven R. Bangerter, a General Authority Seventy and counselor in the Philippines Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Susann A. Bangerter; Elder Julius F. Barrientos, Area Seventy, and his wife, Sister Malou Barrientos; and five young single adults — Ruth Navarro of Paniqui, Tarlac; Aries Maligon of San Pablo City, Laguna; Earl Queena B. Along of Caloocan City, Metro Manila; Patricia Kaye Catubay of Laoag, Ilocos Norte; and Jairod Alday of Naga City, Camarines Sur. The devotional was broadcast on Sunday, Feb. 20, from the Philippines Missionary Training Center auditorium and shared virtually throughout the Philippines. 

It’s the first time an Apostle has been to the country in two years, due to pandemic-related restrictions.

The devotional had a conversational, question-and-answer format, with Elder Gong inviting comments and discussion among the panel on questions gathered by the area young single adult council, which includes YSAs from across the Philippines. 

To read the full article, CLICK HERE.