President Johnson Encourages Young Adults to be Righteous Stewards of the Earth

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints calls on young adults to be "righteous stewards" over "God’s creations on this earth."

President Johnson spoke at a worldwide devotional for young adults (ages 18 to 35) in the historic Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sunday, May 4, 2025. The Tabernacle was filled with a live audience.

"The world in which we live is ripe with challenges. And you are a generation of women and men reserved for this day,” said President Johnson, whose great-grandfathers worked on the "massive doors" of the pioneer-era Tabernacle.

"It was a time when building materials were at a premium in the Utah Territory," she explained. "‘Repurpose,' 'reuse,' and 'recycle' were their buzzwords long before they became part of our vernacular."

God's Power to Meet Challenges

President Johnson talked to young adults, single and married, about the many challenges they face today.

"You have the capacity, the attributes, the desire, and the opportunity to draw upon God’s power to meet those challenges and solve them. Your potential is divine," she said.

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“With confidence, I declare that, blessed with the strength and power of God available to you as you make and keep covenants with Him, you can counter the negative and shine light in every corner of darkness," President Johnson added.

"Letting the light of our discipleship in Jesus Christ shine is the ultimate form of renewable energy — energy from a source which is constantly replenished," she said.

President Johnson counseled the audience to "become advocates of truth rather than just consumers of information."

"So be a peacemaker in your own home, community and in your online presence. Relieve suffering in your own neighborhood,” she said.

The global leader of the Church's women's organization said that young adults "can answer negativity by flooding the world with the light and good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Stewardship on the Earth

President Johnson taught young adults about stewardship, including stewardship for their gifts and talents, the earth and God’s children.

“I know this is a topic about which your generation cares deeply,” she said.

“You have stewardship for your own body and mind. You have stewardship for the abilities, talents, spiritual gifts, and the help with which you have been blessed. You have stewardship for the earth. And you have stewardship for one another,” she said.

President Johnson cited the Church's efforts to aid those in need, including expanding the women and children initiative and other global humanitarian projects.

"While the Church and the Relief Society can and will use their global reach to scale inspired efforts to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked and care for the sick, the most important and impactful work continues to be done one by one,” she said.

“I invite you to use your gifts and talents to do a few 'small and simple' things in the sphere of your stewardship,” she concluded.

The devotional is available on-demand on YouTube (ASL YouTube) and will be available for two weeks at Broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Later, it will also be available in the Gospel Library.