Elder Patrick Kearon Encourages Saints in Asia to Turn to the Savior, Find Joy in Repentance

From the Hong Kong Newsroom

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Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and his wife, Jennifer, encouraged members, missionaries and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Asia Area to turn to the Savior and find joy in repentance during a 10-day ministry visit in March.

Elder Kearon’s ministry from March 12 through March 21, 2026, spanned a diverse range of settings – from Taiwan, home to 16 stakes, to The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, which hosts only one branch of the Church, and from the global metropolis of Hong Kong to the predominantly Buddhist city of Bangkok, the heart of Southeast Asia.

Reflecting on his first ministry visit to the Asia Area, Elder Kearon described the experience as both “remarkable” and “enriching.” Wherever they went, Elder and Sister Kearon quickly embraced those they met with love and joy.

“We love you and love being with you,” Elder Kearon said. “The love I feel is so much more than my own love — I am certain it is the love of God and of Jesus Christ for all of you. ... You are a precious, precious child of God.”

That message of divine love was reinforced throughout every meeting as Elder and Sister Kearon tailored their teachings to each audience by sharing personal experiences, teaching from the scriptures and speaking from the heart.

For Paul Leung, a young single adult living in Hong Kong, Sister Kearon’s lesson from John Chapter 2, where Jesus turns water into wine, left the strongest impression. She highlighted the principle of obedience found in verse 5: “Whatsoever [Jesus] saith unto you, do it.”

“He is preparing to metaphorically turn your water into wine,” Sister Kearon taught. “We need, as we’ve been taught, to use our agency to do what He’s asking us to do … and to stop doing what He’s asking us to stop doing.”

Another recurring message Elder Kearon emphasized was the importance of having faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, especially during difficult times, and embracing repentance as a joyful, hope‑filled opportunity.

“[Life] hasn’t been all just sunshine and roses for us,” Elder Kearon said as he reflected on their own lives, which have included both joy and hardship. “Faith in Christ can make difficult things easier.”

Elder Kearon encouraged his listeners to view life through an eternal lens, saying that present challenges are only a small part of a much longer journey toward eternal life. He taught that we are on earth to learn, grow and be changed through the process. He said that while many things remain beyond our ability to fix, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can heal and restore all things. Trust in Christ’s power, place burdens in His hands, let go of old habits and allow yourself to become new through Him, he said.

Attendees in every congregation were captivated by the Apostle’s message, which he delivered with a compelling blend of spirituality, warmth and gentle humor.

Throughout their journey in Asia, Elder and Sister Kearon ministered not only to congregations but also to individuals.

“At every meeting, they made a point of shaking everyone’s hand,” said Kampanat Chomjampee, a security manager for the area. “Even with limited time, Elder Kearon tried to thank each individual he encountered, whether an interpreter, photographer or the one offering the prayer. In every interaction, he sought to understand individuals on a personal level, showing genuine interest in who they were, what they did, and how they were doing.”

That personal touch – the individual attention and time given – became a powerful reminder of the Savior’s love and left a lasting impression on those they met. In Asia, where apostolic visits are rare, that impact was especially profound.

“It was an experience that no words can describe to have an Apostle of the Lord set foot in the country,” said Tiengsack Inthavong, president of the only branch in Lao. It has been 20 years since members there were visited by an Apostle, the previous visit being Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s in 2006, when he dedicated the country for the work of the gospel. “We all felt the spirit so strongly that our tears literally came out. Members were uplifted by his teachings, and his apostolic blessings were profoundly meaningful for all of us as we strive to be like Jesus. We felt closer to God,” he said.

In meetings with missionaries, Elder Kearon practiced real-life scenarios, taught directly from the scriptures, and invited missionaries to share their experiences and insights. He offered both spiritual and practical counsel, from how to make prayers more meaningful to the importance of physical exercise each morning.

Elder Samuel Johnson, a missionary from Salt Lake City, reflected on what resonated the most with him. “Elder Kearon mentioned multiple times that a change of heart, marked by new beginnings and renewed commitment, can invigorate us even more.”

Many missionaries, including Elder Johnson and his companion, said they left the meeting feeling more committed to their missionary service.

“If I had a message for my friends in Asia, for the members of the Church in Asia,” Elder Kearon taught, “it is to remember that you’re a daughter of God, that you’re a son of God. ... Remind ourselves of this in our busy lives, and practice turning to Jesus Christ every day — in our thoughts, in our hearts, and in our actions.”

He added, “You’ll make mistakes. Remember that you can joyfully repent every day, and you can start again every day, and you can have a much better day tomorrow, if you’ll practice and remember who you are and turn to your Savior, Jesus Christ.”