As Wednesday evening’s 2021 Youth Music Festival drew to a close, Young Women General President Sister Bonnie H. Cordon and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund introduced a special guest and performance: President Russell M. Nelson who sat down to the piano and performed “Hope of Israel”.
“I love that hymn, ‘Hope of Israel,’ because my dear young friends, you are the hope of Israel, the children of the promised day,” President Nelson told the youth watching from around the world.
The Church News captured his message this way:
Listening to uplifting music is one of the best ways to feel the Spirit and hear the voice of the Lord, President Nelson said, expressing his hope that the event helped youth strengthen their love of the Savior and feel connected to others like them.
“Many of you are already doing good things to help gather Israel. Keep going. If you have not yet become part of this great cause, start today,” he said. “You may have felt a prompting during this festival to reach out to someone who is lonely or to help a friend come back. Maybe that person is you. Act on those impressions. This is how you — the hope of Israel — will rise in might.”
President Nelson concluded, “I love you and pray for you. And I testify that the Lord knows you by name and sees who you can become.”
Following the Prophet’s message and musical number, a virtual choir of youth around the world sang “Hope of Israel” in multiple languages.
In case you didn’t get a chance to watch the music festival, you can view the full video below:
