News Release

Apostle’s Message Brings Hope to Young People Facing Challenges

Elder Ulisses Soares, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, met with young adults in Papeete on Tuesday 16 August.2022.

Elder and Sister Soares were accompanied by Elder Carlos A Godoy, General Authority Seventy and his wife Sister Mônica Soares Brandao, and Pacific Area President, K. Brett Nattress and his wife Sister Shawna Nattress.

The devotional was broadcast to young people in Church meetinghouses across Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea and Tubuai.

The President of French Polynesia, Édouard Fritch, and his wife, Angeline Fritch, and Thierry Nhunfat, Head of Cabinet, were honoured guests.

They were accompanied by Yvonnick Raffin, Minister of Finances, Christele Lehartel, Minister of Education and Virginie Bruant, Minister of Work and Solidarity and Naea Bennett, Minister of Youth and his wife Daina Bennett.

Elder-Ulisses-Soares-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles-welcomes-the-President-of-French-Polynesia,-Edouard-Fritch,-and-Angeline-Fritch-before-the-young-adult-devotional-in-Papeete.-August-2022
Elder-Ulisses-Soares-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles-welcomes-the-President-of-French-Polynesia,-Edouard-Fritch,-and-Angeline-Fritch-before-the-young-adult-devotional-in-Papeete.-August-2022
Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles welcomes the President of French Polynesia, Édouard Fritch, and Angeline Fritch before attending the young adult devotional in Papeete. August 20222022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
DOWNLOAD

Elder Soares delighted the audience by addressing them in the French language. He began with a message of love and assurance, and his witness that the President of the Church, Russell M. Nelson “prays for you, more than you can imagine.” He encouraged the young adults to remember this when they are feeling discouraged.

During the devotional, a panel was formed to help young people find answers to their questions. Joining Elder and Sister Soares on the panel were Elder and Sister Godoy, and Elder and Sister Nattress.

Members of the panel gave counsel after hearing questions asked by some of the young adults, which included: How do I know if I am attending the right church? If I am not married, will I receive exaltation? When we encounter challenges such as violence, depression, losing our faith, what can we do? Is there hope for someone who has taken their life in suicide? How can I truly trust God and have hope for the future?

“Miracles are available for each one of us,” Elder Soares assured the gathering. He shared his testimony that “God will open the door where there is no door. He will open the door because God is a God of miracles. Jesus Christ gave us His life and the capacity to return to our Heavenly Father. He wants us to be back in His presence.”

“It depends on our decisions to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ and put our trust in [Him],” Elder Soares said. “He will provide the miracles that we need.”

Young-adults-came-from-all-over-the-island-of-Tahiti-to-be-taught-by-a-member-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles,-Elder-Ulisses-Soares-during-his-ministering-visit-to-French-Polynesia-in-August-2022DOWNLOAD

Elder Godoy shared his personal conversion story with the young adults. He described the experiences he had and steps he took as a teenager as he learned about and embraced the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Godoy encouraged the young people of French Polynesia to invite their friends to learn about the Saviour Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Elder Nattress invited the young adults to trust in the Lord and to learn how to receive and recognize promptings of the spirit. He quoted President Russell M. Nelson: “In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

Tehani-Apeang-and-Syra-Zan-of-Papeete,-Tahiti.
Tehani-Apeang-and-Syra-Zan-of-Papeete,-Tahiti.
Tehani Apeang and Zan Suard both attended a young adult devotional in Papeete, Tahiti 15 August 2022.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
DOWNLOAD

Elder Nattress continued, “The spirit is always there to guide and direct you.” He encouraged the young single adults to read Moroni chapter 7 for guidance to discern what impressions come from God.   

After the devotional, Zan Suard, 21, from Papeete, said, “I am glad I came this evening. It really helped with the questions that I had, and put me back in line with the things I learned on my mission. This was a real boost for me, and I really felt the spirit as he spoke to me.”

Tehani Apeang, 25, also from Papeete, said that while she is not a member of the Church, she thought the devotional was very touching and moving. “It dispelled my doubts, I felt relieved, and it really soothed my heart.”

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.