Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles encouraged Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Area to keep their focus on Jesus Christ.
“When we focus our life on the Savior Jesus Christ and strive to live His restored gospel, we can always find peace, rest and joy in our journey,” he said, during the beginning of an assignment to visit members and friends of the Church in New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.
The Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is accompanied by his wife, Sister Rosana Soares; Elder Patrick Kearon of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon; and members of the Pacific Area Presidency and their wives.
Syndey, Australia
Elder Soares told the young adults at the Church’s Baulkham Hills Stake Centre in Sydney on Friday, March 10, that “as we draw near to Jesus Christ, we won’t feel alone, we won’t feel emptiness in our hearts. His healing power can fill our souls and help us become better than who we are.”
“The Saviour and His gospel are our true sources to become more resilient and survive spiritually on these days we are living in. Our confidence in our Saviour will strengthen us to continue moving forward in life, despite the challenges we go through.”
Elder Ulisses Soares speaks to young adults in Sydney, Australia. 10 March 2023.
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks to young adults in Sydney, Australia, on March 10, 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Elder Soares said that the invitation to follow Jesus Christ is an invitation to change ourselves, become better, become more like Jesus.
A young person in the congregation asked the question: “How can we receive personal revelation and understand Heavenly Father’s will for us?”
Elder Soares responded: “Nothing comes easy. We need to turn our heart to our Heavenly Father through the Saviour every single day in order to find our answers.”
He outlined four points:
- Remember that personal revelation plays a very important role in our lives.
- The process of revelation involves the principle of patience.
- The Lord expects that we become agents unto ourselves.
- Seek direction from the scriptures, study in your mind carefully, then seek direction from the Lord before making decision.
Young adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended a devotional with Elder Ulisses Soares in Sydney, Australia on 10 March 2023.
Young adult members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attend a devotional with Elder Ulisses Soares in Sydney, Australia, on March 10, 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sister Soares, Elder K. Brett Nattress of the Pacifc Area Presidency and Sister Shawna Nattress also attended the devotional. Elder Robert Simpson, an Area Seventy, conducted the meeting.
In response to another question about staying strong despite the temptations of our day, Sister Soares said: “We need to know how to distinguish between sin and weakness. As part of the divine plan, we are tested to see if we will master weakness or let weakness master us.”
She added, “If we learn how to control our thoughts, we can avoid committing sins.”
Elder Nattress encouraged the young single adults to remember their identity and purpose. He said, “You are literally sons and daughters of God. The Lord has a great work for you to do.”
He continued, “Safety and peace come in and through the Saviour, Jesus Christ. He is the mighty healer.”
Sister Nattress encouraged the young people to draw strength from reading the Book of Mormon.
After the devotional, young adult Shylla Ofanoa said the leaders’ messages “showed me the importance of aligning myself with Christ and my role as a young adult to stand witness of the gospel and its truths always. Whether it’s for my own personal benefit or to help those around me, edifying myself and striving to stay pure, through repentance and change, allows me power and strength to face the many obstacles of the world.”
A group of leaders of the Church from Papua New Guinea who were visiting Sydney also attended the devotional.
