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Remember the Words of a Prophet, Seer and Revelator, President Lund Tells Missionaries

Young Men General President echoes key principles and charge of President Nelson’s landmark 2018 ‘Hope of Israel’ talk at Provo Missionary Training Center

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By Trent Toone, Church News

Less than two years after President Russell M. Nelson gave his landmark 2018 talk “Hope of Israel to the youth, he called Steven J. Lund to serve as the new Young Men General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In addition to receiving that overwhelming assignment, President Lund said President Nelson went on to reiterate many of the key points from his 2018 message, including the fact that this generation was reserved to come forth at this crucial time, blessed with unique gifts and talents to gather Israel before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

“You are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world,” President Nelson said in 2018. “You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation.”

President Nelson’s talk provides detailed guidance for Latter-day Saint youth about their divine identity and their purpose on earth, President Lund said in a Tuesday night, January 28, devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

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Young Men General President Steven J. Lund speaks to missionaries during a devotional held at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

The Young Men General President encouraged missionaries to study President Nelson’s “Hope of Israel” talk often and keep a copy with their patriarchal blessing.

“These are words of a prophet, seer and revelator,” President Lund said. “He tells you who you are and why you are here. His talk was given directly, specifically, to you. ... As missionaries, I hope you will respond in every way possible to that divine identity as children of God.”

President Lund was accompanied by his wife, Kalleen, who also spoke at the devotional.

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Missionaries react as Young Men General President Steven J. Lund speaks at a devotional held at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Faith That Matters

For those who might think President Nelson was exaggerating or speaking flattering words about the rising generation, President Lund cited research by Kenda Creasy Dean, a Princeton University professor and an ordained Methodist minister, who studied the religious practices of teenagers in the United States.

Dean wrote that Latter-day Saint youth are the “spiritual athletes” of their generation because of their sacrifice, discipline and energy, along with a high level of devotion and commitment to their faith. They speak in Church meetings, plan activities and demonstrate the highest degree of religious vitality, salience and understanding of Church teachings, President Lund said.

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A choir of missionaries performs during a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

“What you have is faith that matters, and it is the kind of faith that moves mountains,” he said. “You, the members of the Lord’s battalions, have come into this earth and into this gospel with an intensity rarely seen.”

The Gathering

President Lund repeated President Nelson’s words about the gathering of Israel being the most important work taking place in the world today.

“There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing,” President Nelson said. “This gathering should mean everything to you. This is the mission for which you were sent to earth.”

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Young Men General President Steven J. Lund speaks with missionaries following a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

President Nelson continued, “I testify that the gathering is now, and it is real.”

President Lund has witnessed the gathering in his various Church assignments around the world, from Pakistan to Mongolia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in all locations missionaries are serving today.

“These miracles are happening here and everywhere,” he said.

Virtuosity

Learning to be a valiant missionary in the Lord’s youth battalion may initially seem daunting.

President Lund related his wife’s diligent efforts to learn to play the organ. “She learned to play the piano as a child, but the piano is to the organ what a bicycle is to flying a helicopter,” he said.

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Young Men General President Steven J. Lund speaks during a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Over time, with determination and consistent practice, Sister Lund has achieved a kind of “virtuosity” with the organ. Missionary work is no different, he said.

“Here is my promise: This is going to happen to you,” President Lund said. “If you are nervous today, if you are tentative, just wait. Keep showing up. ‘Look unto Christ’ in all things; doubt not; fear not. Continue on. In days ahead you will find yourself in places the Lord, in His economy, will have sent you, and your offerings will light fires of conviction that will amaze you and change you.”

Trust in the Savior

In her message, Sister Lund discussed the 2025 youth theme, “Look unto Christ,” from Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, which reads, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”

President and Sister Lund served as mission leaders of the Georgia Atlanta Mission from 2003 to 2006. She told of one missionary who, through his missionary experience, transformed from a shy, anxious young man into a confident, poised and courageous leader.

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Sister Kalleen Lund, wife of Young Men General President Steven J. Lund, speaks during a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Drawing upon scriptural insights from the New Testament story of Peter walking on water, Sister Lund said that with the Savior, all things are possible.

“Having faith in the Savior, trusting the Savior, gives us power to do impossible things like walking on water and talking to strangers about the gospel when we feel like that is the scariest thing in the world,” she said. “If we truly trust Jesus, we must remember that He knows who we really are and what we are capable of.”

What Missionaries Were Saying

Following the evening devotional, missionaries spoke of their learnings from listening to President Lund.

Sister Hannah Hinton, of Allen, Texas, preparing to serve in the Honduras Comayagüela Mission, filled pages of notes during the devotional.

“I love how he told us that we have the capacity to become the generation that can have the greatest impact on the people that we’re going to serve. That was just so powerful to me,” she said. “It was the motivation that I needed to get through today.”

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Young Men General President Steven J. Lund speaks with missionaries following a devotional held at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Elder Kyler Wright, of Centerville, Utah, preparing to serve in the Thailand Bangkok East Mission, appreciated the personal insights President Lund shared about President Nelson. Being part of the Lord’s youth battalion and gathering Israel is something he has heard often in recent years.

“It’s nice to be reminded because sometimes I forget this is a very unique generation and work,” he said.

Elder Wyatt Waldyke of Lakewood, Colorado, preparing to serve in the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission, was a bit overwhelmed by President Lund’s remarks but also found hope in knowing it is part of the Lord’s plan.

“I am going to do my best to fulfill those desires of our Heavenly Father,” he said.

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Missionaries take pictures of each other before a devotional held at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Sister Jillian Wieland, of Blackfoot, Idaho, is preparing to serve in the Guyana Georgetown Mission. She was inspired by insights shared about Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 as she learned a new language and prepared to enter the mission field.

“I need to doubt not, fear not,” she said. “I love that.”

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A choir of missionaries performs during a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.
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Young Men General President Steven J. Lund speaks to missionaries during a devotional at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Photo by Adam Fondren, courtesy of Church News.Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

Copyright 2025 Deseret News Publishing Company.

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