Note: There is no COVID-19 community transmission in New Zealand currently so health and social distancing guidelines are different to other countries.
Elder K Brett Nattress, First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed an audience of over 600 young women and men who are taking part in the 2021 New Zealand “For the Strength of Youth” conference being in held in Auckland this week.
“Remember who you are, sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father,” Elder Nattress told the young people. “We need to know who we are, and we need to remember who He is. We have worth because we are sons and daughters of God.”
He said that remembering who we are, as children of God, helps us avoid defining ourselves by our mistakes.
“You can always call out to our Father in Heaven, and He will answer you,” Elder Nattress promised.
Quoting Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Nattress encouraged the youth to “not let the bad things prevail in your life; let God prevail.”
Elder Nattress invited the youth to do the following five things:
Elder-K.-Brett-Nattress-shares-five-suggestions-with-youth.-Auckland,-New-Zealand,-14-January-2021.
Elder K. Brett Nattress shares five suggestions with youth. Auckland, New Zealand, 14 January 2021.2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.- Pray every day.
- Read from the Book of Mormon every day, even if it’s only a couple of verses. My mother read it to me every day and it helped me develop a love for those scriptures.
- Be kind by doing one act of kindness every day.
- Each week partake of the sacrament, so that you always remember Him.
- And lastly, hold a current temple recommend and be worthy to enter the House of the Lord
Elder Nattress played the ukulele while local stake presidents and others in attendance joined in singing together.
Elder-and-Sister-Nattress-sing-with-Auckland-stake-presidents,-their-wives,-and-youth-from-across-Auckland-and-Northland,-New-Zealand.-14-January-2021.
Elder and Sister Nattress sing with Auckland stake presidents, their wives, and youth from across Auckland and Northland, New Zealand. 14 January 2021.2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
After the devotional, one young attendee, Keanu, said: “I really enjoyed it. You can tell he’s definitely called by the prophet because everything he said felt true. The video showed us that something as simple as the Lion King has a lot of true messages that we can all relate to that we can take and apply in our lives, and so I really enjoyed his talk and what he had to share with us. I definitely felt the Spirit. My mate enjoyed it and I could tell because he shed a tear. That’s how you know that the Spirit is strong.”
Another teenager, Ezra, said: “I enjoyed the music. It really brought the Spirit. I could tell Elder Nattress was enthused about the gospel and enjoys teaching it to others and I felt the Spirit about knowing who I am and my identity.”
A young woman named Carressa said: “I think this was a really important message to share with us today. It may seem like a simple message but it really hit home with most youth here ─ that He is always there with us every step of the way. We need to remember that even in the deepest moments of our life He is always there with us.”
Elder Nattress was accompanied by his wife, Sister Shawna Nattress, at the devotional.
This week’s conference is for 16 and 17 year-olds. Last week a similar “For the Strength of Youth” conference was held for 13 to 15 year-olds.
