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By Trent Toone, Church News
In its current state of renovation, the Salt Lake Temple’s granite walls are hidden behind rows of scaffolding, crews are working to strengthen the excavated foundation, and construction equipment is all over the temple grounds.
Against that backdrop on a windy and rainy day, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman compared the Salt Lake Temple renovation scene to the lifelong process of becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.
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Left, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund stand under umbrellas in front of the Salt Lake Temple renovation on a rainy day as part of a worldwide discussion with youth in a prerecorded video broadcast on January 28, 2024. Photo is a screenshot from the broadcast.2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.“I’ve noticed that spiritual progress — refining and building and shaping — often occurs simultaneously. It helps us also remember that discipleship is a work in progress, just like this beautiful temple behind us,” Elder Stevenson said.
“It’s really encouraging for us to realize that we can always rebuild and refine. I think that suggests that we can always have hope, and our hope is in Jesus Christ. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we can always strive to deepen our conversion.”
Sometimes this is what building looks like in our individual lives, President Freeman said.
“This is a site for the building up of something holy,” she said. “Maybe you are aspiring to become something but you feel like you are right in the process of building. ... There might be some of us here who are looking for a second chance, that we’re looking at our life and thinking I need a renovation right now.”
These thoughts, shared in a prerecorded video broadcast on Jan. 28, served as an introduction to a worldwide youth discussion that focused on the 2024 youth theme, found in 3 Nephi 5:13, “I am a disciple of Christ.”
Young men and young women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were invited to gather in their wards, quorums and classes to view the broadcast, which featured youth from Japan, Fiji, Finland, Sweden and Germany.
Each group discussed a different topic, followed by a question. Youth viewing the broadcast were invited to pause the video and discuss each question for five to 10 minutes.
The groups focused on four guiding principles Elder Stevenson shared in his October 2023 general conference talk, “Promptings of the Spirit.”
- Stand in holy places.
- Stand with holy people.
- Testify of holy truths.
- Listen to the Holy Spirit.
“Let’s talk about this building process and patterns of discipleship,” Elder Stevenson said. “As we do this, we each become disciples of the Holy One of Israel.”
Holy Places
Elder Stevenson and his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson, met with young men and young women while they were in Japan for dedication of the Okinawa Japan Temple last November.
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Elder Gary E. Stevenson, center, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Lesa Stevenson, speak with Latter-day Saint youth outside the Okinawa Japan Temple in part of a prerecorded video broadcast for youth on January 28, 2024. Photo is a screenshot from the broadcast. 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The youth discussed the blessings of temple attendance, developing the attributes of Jesus Christ and the meaning of standing in holy places.
“I can’t imagine something that we could say that would be more beautiful, and more pleasing to the Lord, than to be able to say, ‘I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ,’” Elder Stevenson said.
Youth watching the broadcast were invited to discuss the question: “Where are your holy places? How do you find them?”
Holy People
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Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman, center right, speaks with youth in Fiji in part of a prerecorded video broadcast for youth on January 28, 2024. Photo is a screenshot from the broadcast.2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Youth in Fiji talked about the strength that comes when gathering with holy people.
“That conversation with those youth in Fiji helped me to remember how important it is to surround ourselves with holy people, especially when we are in the process of building a foundation on Christ and becoming a lifelong disciple,” President Freeman said.
Following that part, youth were invited to pause and discuss these questions: “How does gathering with holy people strengthen you as a disciple of Christ? When has that been true for you? How did it make you stronger?”
Lessons From Stained-Glass Art
In the third segment, Latter-day Saint youth learned the process of making stained-glass art by creating replicas of the 2024 youth theme logo, which depicts a flame held in a hand, at Holdman Studios in Lehi, Utah.
The flame logo represents what it means to be a disciple and share the light of Christ with others, as well as standing strong and not letting the world dim that light or testimony.
Download PhotoThe young people then shared insights and lessons learned from the process that can be applied to discipleship.
“I’m so impressed with these beautiful images that you created that represent our theme, ‘I am a disciple of Jesus Christ,’” President Lund said. “We’ve learned that as we let His light shine through us that we can bring real beauty into the world, that His light is what we hope that the whole world will see.”
Youth watched the music video for this year’s theme called “Disciple of Christ,” which was filmed in Sweden and Finland and performed by Benjamin Josiah. A young man from Germany also participated in the music video.
“As we watched that video, I was reminded of the importance of shining our light so that the whole world can see. The theme scripture talks about this, that disciples are called to declare His word among his people,” President Lund said. “It’s important to testify of important truths as we’re prompted by the Holy Spirit.”
Youth were invited to pause and discuss the questions: “When have you had a chance to testify of Him? Or, when has someone else’s testimony strengthened yours?”
Committing to a Lifelong Pursuit
Returning to the Salt Lake Temple renovation site, President Freeman reminded Latter-day Saint youth that becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is a lifelong pursuit.
“Refining and building will be part of the process all along the way,” she said. “I am so excited to be able to watch this renovation take place ... and maybe it will be a reminder to us of what we have learned — a reminder that we’re just trying to be a little better every day, that we’re endeavoring to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Committing to be a disciple of Christ doesn’t mean everything will go perfectly.
“Sometimes the rain is still going to fall and the wind is still going to blow,” President Lund said. “But our promise to you is that the Savior will see you through those times.”
Elder Stevenson reiterated his invitation to stand in holy places, with holy friends, to express testimony and listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He also invited those viewing the broadcast to know and repeat often the theme — “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ” — and apply the attributes of discipleship. He concluded by bearing his witness of Jesus Christ.
“If you do that, I promise the Spirit will strengthen you over and over again,” he said. “These are things that shaped me, and these are things that will shape you as well.”
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