Elder Soares Testifies to Youth in Brazil of Savior During Nationwide Devotional

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Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks from the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City to youth in Brazil during a devotional on Friday, November 17, 20232023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Full of energy and love for the youth of Brazil, Elder Ulisses Soares testified of the Savior and His Atonement as the central part of the plan of salvation as he joined a youth nationwide devotional on Friday, November 17.

The evening event originated from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles joined remotely from the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City.

“I would love to be with all of you there in person,” Elder Soares said.

Elder Soares had originally planned on attending in person but said he was honored to change his plans to attend President M. Russell Ballard’s November 17 funeral earlier that day with all other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Elder Joni L. Koch, a General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s Brazil Area, and his wife, Sister Michele Koch, attended the event in Belo Horizonte with Elder Odair Jose Castro de Lira, an Area Seventy, who conducted the meeting.

Elder Soares ministered earlier in the week to Latter-day Saints in the Caribbean. While there, he invited those participating in an area-wide broadcast to focus their lives on the Savior.

Speaking to the youth in Brazil, Elder Soares shared some of his own memories of growing up as the only member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his neighborhood when he lived in the country. And he reassured the youth that they are on the earth now for a divine purpose.

“God sent you to the earth during one of the most turbulent times in history,” he said. “I firmly believe that you are here to change the direction of the destiny of the entire human family.”

In advance of the devotional, Elder Soares invited youth around Brazil to send in videos explaining why they find hope through Jesus Christ. Some were shown during the devotional, with youth sharing the hope they find through Christ that will allow them to be forgiven, feel peace, overcome challenges, serve their ancestors and to be together with their families forever.

“I promise that the spiritual strength you get from Jesus Christ will help you to endure your trials during your lives,” Elder Soares said. “If we focus on Savior, we can move forward with faith.”

‘Stay in the Boat’

In honoring President Ballard, Elder Soares shared a story he heard from him teaching about the ways river rafting compares to life and the gospel.

He said President Ballard had focused on three essential elements that experienced river guides share with those who are rafting for the first time.

First, stay inside the boat. Second, always wear a life vest. Third, hold on to the boat with both hands.

Elder Soares compared the river to mortal life. It is unpredictable and turbulent at times like the river rapids. The river guides are like prophets and apostles who teach principles of spiritual survival and happiness. The boat is like the gospel. The life vest is like the words of the Lord found in the scriptures and modern revelations. And holding on with both hands is like focusing constantly on Jesus Christ in living the gospel and enduring to the end.

At times in his youth, he had to learn to focus on the Savior through hard lessons.

“I learned to trust in experienced guides and leaders. … I learned I needed to use my agency more wisely,” he said. “... And I learned to avoid challenging situations.”

Happiness and the Holy Ghost

Elder Koch said he has always loved serving with Elder Soares because he is always smiling and always happy.

“The Holy Ghost makes us feel happy,” Elder Koch said. “And what makes us unhappy? One thing is sin. … Sometimes we have moments in which we feel pleasure, but that is not happiness.”

Elder Koch invited youth who are not feeling happiness due to sins to repent through Jesus Christ’s Atonement so they can feel happiness and be clean again.

Sister Koch said she loves to hear individuals’ conversion stories.

“How many people’s lives have changed because of this gospel?” she asked.

Sharing the gospel can change both the person who learns about it and the person who testifies of its truthfulness, she said.

“The joy of the gospel comes when we share it with others and see their lives transform,” she said.

A young woman and young man were invited to share their testimonies during the devotional, as well.

Sofia Ribeiro from the Barroca Ward in the Belo Horizonte Brazil West Stake said sometimes it can be easy to lose hope because of the situation of the world.

“But the pure love of Jesus Christ and His gospel can bring us hope that we lack,” she said. “As we turn our lives over to Him, we are filled with both hope and happiness.”

Matheus Drummond, from the Pampulha Ward of the Belo Horizonte Brazil Pampulha Stake, shared his testimony of how focusing on the Savior has helped him prepare to serve a mission.

“Heavenly Father wants us to choose eternal happiness, but He doesn’t force us to choose anything,” Drummond said.

Elder Soares Testifies to Youth in Brazil of Savior in Nationwide Devotional

In a broadcast to Portuguese-speaking youth around the world, Elder Ulisses Soares shares his testimony of the Savior and encourages youth to ‘stay in the boat’

Elder-Soares-Devotional

Elder-Soares-Devotional

Elder-Soares-Devotional

‘Stay in the Boat’

Elder-Soares-Devotional

Happiness and the Holy Ghost

Elder-Soares-Devotional