Elder Peter F. Meurs of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with around 300 young members of the Church in Wellington on the weekend of 15-16 July 2023. This weekend is special for many New Zealanders as it is Matariki, the beginning of the Māori new year.
Elder Meurs was accompanied by his wife, Sister Maxine Meurs.
The young adults came together for a conference for 18-30 year-olds. They participated in social, cultural, educational, sporting and spiritual activities over Matariki weekend.
DOWNLOADAt a devotional with Elder and Sister Meurs, sacred music was shared by young people, and talks were given by several of the attendees.
Quoting from teachings by Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Meurs reminded those in attendance that each one of them is:
- A child of God;
- A child of the covenant (as a baptised member of the Church); and
- A disciple of Jesus Christ
Elder Meurs encouraged the young adults to always remember and make choices based on these characteristics.
“Prophets of God and Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ help us to stay on the covenant path,” Elder Meurs said.
Reminding the YSA of the many powerful teachings of President Russell M Nelson, Elder Meurs invited those in attendance to make their homes “centres of gospel learning. We are all entitled to personal revelation.”
He continued, “The sacrament is a most important and sacred ordinance. It provides an opportunity to remember the Saviour Jesus Christ and make covenants with him. Weekly participation in the sacrament brings the promise of Holy Ghost to entice us and guide us on our covenant path journey.”
“The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ,” he added, “helps us stay on the covenant path. It seems to be written specifically for the challenges we are facing at this time as we prepare for the second coming of the Jesus Christ.”
Elder Meurs said that there are some that think that following the Saviour’s covenant path is more difficult than following Satan’s. Then quoting 2 Nephi 2:27, he reminded the Young Adults “that they are free to choose liberty and eternal life by following Jesus Christ or to choose captivity and death through following Satan who seeks to make all men miserable like himself.”