While in Le Chesney, France, in April, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was asked by a French journalist about young people in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I would counter those people who say that we have a problem with our millennial generation,” Elder Rasband said. “Our millennial generation is strong and vibrant and a big part of the future of our Church.”
He told the journalist about how the Church has more than 65,000 young teaching and service missionaries who volunteer on their own finances and their own time to serve wherever they are called — just like his own mission 50 years ago.
During that ministry trip to France, followed by Germany, Armenia and South Africa, Elder Rasband met with large groups of youth, young adults and missionaries — among whom were two of his own grandchildren serving missions.
Elder Rasband and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, have 29 grandchildren, many of whom are teenagers. “They are what I call my youth advisory council,” Elder Rasband said. He and Sister Rasband often speak with them about what is important to the teens and the problems they face.
“We are with them. We know them.”
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said it is a miracle and testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ that so many young people will put their trust in Him for two years or 18 months.
He posted a video on social media with his grandson Jason Ebert, who has been called to serve in the Italy Milan Mission.
Elder Andersen asked Jason, “Why would you go on a mission?”
Jason responded that in the world right now, there is anger, violence and hate. But the message of the Atonement of Jesus Christ has the ability to bring light and love.
“We need to focus on that love for the Savior. That’s the center of it,” Jason said.
In meetings with youth and young adults in Switzerland in October 2022, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said he wished he could tell each of them how much the Lord loves them.
“In a world that is growing more crazy and perplexed, we are not alone,” he said, teaching how covenants and ordinances in the temple connect individuals to the living Christ.
During a question-and-answer session, some of the young adults asked Elder Bednar what they could do about family members no longer attending Church or living their covenants. The young adults worried for them and what it means for the future.
He answered that the young adults are a link in a long, eternal chain — and as they kept their own covenants, they would strengthen the entire chain. While they could not control others’ choices, they could themselves “press on in the work of the Lord.” Their covenant connection with the Savior would bless their family members as well.
Elder Bednar explained how the covenants they have made connect them individually with the living, resurrected Christ and give them a strength beyond their own.
Covenants also bring rest, taught President Russell M. Nelson in October 2022 general conference.
“Despite the distractions and distortions that swirl around us, you can find true rest — meaning relief and peace — even amid your most vexing problems,” President Nelson said.
He continued, “The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace and rest.”
Emphasizing this message, Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon has invited young audiences recently to join her in singing “Peace in Christ.”
During her remarks — to young adults at BYU–Idaho and to missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah — thousands of voices sang together:
“There is peace in Christ
When we walk with Him …
When there’s no peace on earth,
There is peace in Christ.”
President Cordon told the young adults that they could live up to their full potential as they recognize Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know and love them.
“You are a force for good or ill, depending on the roads you choose and the vision you see for yourself,” she said, “the vision God sees of you.”
