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Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman, Young Men General President Steven J. Lund and Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discuss the upcoming youth devotional via Instagram Live on January 18, 2024. Photo is a screenshot from Instagram. 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.In a livestream January 18 on the Young Women Worldwide, Young Men Worldwide and Elder Gary E. Stevenson’s Instagram accounts, three leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encouraged youth to prepare for the upcoming worldwide youth discussion on discipleship.
Elder Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles joined Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund to explain how the worldwide discussion will be different from other broadcasts and how youth can prepare for it.
On the evening of Sunday, January 28, youth worldwide are invited to gather with their wards, quorums and classes to view a prerecorded video broadcast featuring Elder Stevenson as well as youth from Okinawa, Japan; Fiji; and Amsterdam, Netherlands. “These youth are just outstanding,” said Elder Stevenson.
Throughout the broadcast, participants will be invited to pause the video and discuss questions focusing on the 2024 youth theme found in 3 Nephi 5:13: “I am a disciple of Christ.”
Through technology, youth around the world are able gather on the same day to discuss one topic: discipleship. “There is such power in gathering,” President Lund said. “... The Spirit attends, and wonderful things happen.”
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Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during an Instagram Live discussion on January 18, 2024. Photo is a screenshot from Instagram. 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.President Freeman encouraged youth to gather in the same way many did for the worldwide testimony meeting for youth in October 2023. That means gathering in locations such as backyards and basements, on beaches or at bonfires, in addition to classrooms and meetinghouse chapels.
To prepare for the discussion, President Freeman encouraged youth to study 3 Nephi 5:13 and read the talk Elder Stevenson gave during October 2023 general conference called “Promptings of the Spirit.”
President Lund asked youth to look in the mirror and remind themselves that they are disciples of Jesus Christ. “Ask yourself: What does it look like to gather in holy places, with holy people, to testify of holy truths and feel the Holy Spirit? How does that help us become closer to the Holy One?” the post on Instragram states.
Elder Stevenson told about filming the broadcast video in front of the Salt Lake Temple amid snowy weather. He said that despite experiencing the “weather” in our lives, the constant is our discipleship. He bore testimony of Jesus Christ and “His role as Savior and Redeemer.”