Elder-Ulisses-Soares-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles-speaks-to-the-youth-of-Tahiti-at-a-devotional-that-was-also-broadcast-to-chapels-on-other-islands-in-French-Polynesia.-August-2022
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks to the youth of Tahiti at a devotional that was also broadcast to chapels on other islands in French Polynesia. August 20222022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, shared their love and testimonies as they met with young adults and youth during an assignment to the Pacific Area in August.
They were accompanied by Elder Carlos A Godoy, General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Mônica Godoy, and Pacific Area President K. Brett Nattress and his wife, Sister Shawna Nattress.
On Tuesday August 16, Elder and Sister Soares spoke to young adults during a devotional broadcast to Church meetinghouses across Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and Tubuai.
Young-Tahitian-women-attend-a-devotional-to-hear-council-from-Elder-Ulisses-Soares-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles-during-his-ministering-visit-to-French-Polynesia.-August-2022
Young Tahitian women attend a devotional to hear council from Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during his ministering visit to French Polynesia. August 2022© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Soares delighted the audience by addressing them in the French language. He began with a message of love and assurance, and his witness that President Russell M. Nelson “prays for you, more than you can imagine.” He encouraged the young adults to remember this when they are feeling discouraged.
Member-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles,-Elder-Ulisses-Soares-and-Sister-Rosana-Soares;-Elder-Carlos-A.-Godoy,-General-Authority-Seventy,-and-Sister-Monica-Soares-Brandao;-and-Pacific-Area-President-Elder-K.-Brett-Nattress-and-Sister-Shawna-Nattress-during-a-panel-discussion-at-a-young-adult-devotional-in-Papeete,-Tahiti.-August-2022
Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Ulisses Soares and Sister Rosana Soares; Elder Carlos A. Godoy, General Authority Seventy, and Sister Monica Soares Brandao; and Pacific Area President Elder K. Brett Nattress and Sister Shawna Nattress during a panel discussion at a young adult devotional in Papeete, Tahiti. August 20222022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The devotional included a panel discussion that included the Elder and Sister Soares, Elder and Sister Godoy, and Elder and Sister Nattress. Young adults asked questions such as how do I know if I am attending the right church? If I am not married, will I receive exaltation? When we encounter challenges such as violence, depression, and losing our faith, what can we do? Is there hope for someone who has taken their life by suicide? How can I truly trust God and have hope for the future?
“Miracles are available for each one of us,” Elder Soares assured the gathering. He shared his testimony that “God will open the door where there is no door. He will open the door because God is a God of miracles. Jesus Christ gave us His life and the capacity to return to our Heavenly Father. He wants us to be back in His presence.”
“It depends on our decisions to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ and put our trust in [Him],” Elder Soares said. “He will provide the miracles that we need.”
Read more on the Pacific Newsroom Apostle's Message Brings Hope to Young People Facing Challenges
More than 1,000 youth ages 11-17 years gathered at the Farapiiti Church meetinghouse in Papeete, Tahiti, on August 18 to hear Elder Ulisses Soares speak.
During the devotional, a panel of six teenagers posed questions, and Elder Soares shared seven powerful messages in his responses:
- “The Lord knows my heart and my weaknesses, but he told me to represent Him, and I am committed to do that, until I die.”
- “One of the most beautiful gifts of the gospel of Jesus Christ is repentance. Only the atoning sacrifice of the Savior can help us to feel His love.”
- “Church leaders and parents love you and desire for you to become what the Lord needs you to become, and the Holy Ghost provides the strength to do what is needed.”
- “When the life of Jesus Christ lights your life, you will light the lives of others. They will want to know why you have that special light and that’s the time to share what you believe.”
- “I always believed The Book of Mormon was true because I grew up in the Church. But I never prayed about it. I prayed about it after reading Moroni 10:3-5. I didn’t see a light in the sky, but I had a feeling that was so strong, I couldn’t deny the Book of Mormon was true.”
- “When you obey the commandments, you are preparing yourself spiritually to serve the Lord. That is one of the most important parts of your personal preparation to serve a mission or in any other responsibilities in the Kingdom of God.”
- “If you feel that you have too much pressure to live the gospel, please remember that the Lord loves you and that there are 15 prophets of God who also love you and pray for you constantly. You can put your trust the Lord and in His gospel.”
The meeting ended with people going forward, one by one, to meet Elder Soares and the other visiting Church leaders.
