How Worldwide Day of Testimony Impacted Youth Worldwide

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By Mary Richards, Church News

The Worldwide Day of Testimony on Sunday, October 22, not only made history for having 24 hours of youth bearing testimony — it also increased, deepened and strengthened those bearing testimonies and those hearing them.

Like Jayne Langford, 14, in the Anatolia Ward, Sacramento California Cordova Stake.

“This meeting really helped strengthen my testimony,” she said. “It was good to realize I’m not alone and to feel the strength of not just our ward but the prophet and other youth across the entire world. I left feeling reassured of Jesus’s Atonement and love.”

And Diego Hernandez in Las Flores Ward, Masaya Nicaragua Stake.

“I loved each of the testimonies,” he said. “I felt the Spirit and the need to change certain aspects of my life to improve little by little. I could feel the pure love of Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father.”

The testimony meetings were held in living rooms and backyards of homes; in meetinghouse chapels, gyms and classrooms; some even included a visit to nearby temple grounds. Some involved just a few youth from a branch, others had every youth in a stake attend together.

Church News ‘You Can Do All Things Through Christ,’ President Nelson Promises Youth

The gatherings kicked off in Tonga and New Zealand, rippling throughout the world in each local time zone and ending 24 hours later.

All began with a recorded message from the Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson — where he shared principles with the youth and testified that Jesus Christ and His restored gospel are “the greatest sources of truth and strength on earth.”

“As you follow Jesus Christ, you will have all the strength and courage you need to face opposition in this hazardous world,” President Nelson said. “I promise you that.”

Examples of the Gatherings Worldwide

The Atibaia Ward and Jardim Imperial Ward, Itatiba Brazil Stake, met together for the video from President Nelson, Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund.

Then they went outside, where the youth bore their testimonies around a fire.

“Each young person who gave their testimony placed a piece of wood on the fire, which symbolized their testimony. And when someone testifies, the other’s testimony increases,” said Jardim Imperial Ward Young Women president Marta Ferreira Yamamoto dos Santos.

At their gathering, leaders in the Auckland New Zealand Papatoetoe Stake brought out a huge canvas of Jesus Christ that they made during the For the Strength of Youth conference last January. The youth had written messages to the Savior and placed them on the canvas.

Seeing the canvas again brought a nice spirit to the evening, said Abinadi V. Lameko, the second counselor in the stake presidency.

“All the youth, parents and leaders loved taking photos and reading the messages from the youth.”

In the Houston Ward, West Plains Missouri Stake, there was a long period of silence — until a young man named Robby Eastman went to the front of the room.

Alejandra Arce from the stake Young Women presidency, said Robby is new in the ward and was clearly nervous. He paced back and forth as he tried to get out what he wanted to say.

“Then he boldly said, ‘We shouldn’t give up when things get hard. That’s not the way the Lord taught us. Didn’t He say we can do all things through Him because He strengthens us?’” Acre said.

Robby then pointed to where he was standing and told the other youth, “Come up here, right here, and bear your testimonies. I know Jesus Christ lives. I know this Church is true. I know our Prophet is a Prophet of God. Come right now, come on right here and share your testimonies.”

Acre said immediately after that, one after another the youth stood and shared their own testimonies of Christ.

“The Spirit was so strong and we were all strengthened by each other all thanks to the courage, testimony, and invitation of Robby,” she said.

What Leaders Are Saying

Poway California Stake President Anthony J. Newman said he has been in many testimony meetings over the years at young women camps, youth conferences and other youth events but this one was different.

“It not only felt different, the youth acted differently,” he said. “Instead of their recent experience at camp or conference being the theme of their testimonies, Christ was the theme and was at the center of every heartfelt testimony. Even when we had a lull between testimonies, the youth quietly sat contemplating and quietly pondering. It was wonderful.”

The youth in his stake expressed how they felt their own testimonies grow — they felt like they were a part of something larger than themselves as well.

The youth in the Wallace Branch, Wilmington North Carolina Stake, met in President Jeff Jolley’s home.

“We loved gathering with these youth in their efforts to be strengthened in Jesus Christ,” said Terri Jolley.

Lautaro Ward Bishop Mauro C. Lopez, Temuco Chile Ñielol Stake, said he could feel the testimonies of those who were too shy to stand, and he was grateful for the feeling of love and gratitude in their gathering.

“You can feel that this type of activity helps the youth a lot to strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ,” he said. “By listening to them I saw future leaders of the Church … I can see that the future of the Church will be in good hands.”

Alejandría Ward Bishop Alfredo Amaya, Bogotá Colombia El Dorado Stake, said they strongly felt the companionship of the Holy Ghost in their youth gathering.

“It was one of the most beautiful spiritual experiences we have had this year with them,” he said.

Moving Forward Through the Strength of Christ

In Vanuatu, Marie Sam said as she listened to President Nelson, she was reminded of her identity.

“I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, and a covenant daughter of Heavenly Father. If all the youth and I try to follow this counsel, the Spirit will always guide us to do the right things,” she said. “I know the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and through Christ our lives will be full of joy and peace.”

Youth talked about how they feel motivated to read their scriptures more and to participate more in Seminary and in their Sunday classes and quorums. Others felt they had new strength for the challenges of the world.

Jacob Telford, from Sacramento California, said President Nelson’s message and the promptings he had from the Spirit showed him how he could move forward with new strength in Christ.

“We need to do this more,” he said.

Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company.