On Thursday, 18 August 2022, more than 1000 youth, aged 11 -17 years, gathered for a devotional to hear Elder Ulisses Soares, an Apostle of the Lord, at the Farapiiti Church meetinghouse in Papeete, Tahiti.
Elder Soares was accompanied by Sister Rosana Soares; Elder Carlos A. Godoy and Sister Monica Soares Brandao; and Elder K. Brett Nattress and Sister Shawna Nattress.
Honoured guest, Naea Bennett, Minister for Youth in the French Polynesian government, attended with his wife, Daina Bennett.
- Sister-and-Elder-Riemer,-Sister-and-Elder-Godoy,-Elder-and-Sister-Soares,-and-Elder-and-Sister-Nattress-met-with-a-group-of-young-French-Polynesians-before-the-devotional.-August-2022
- Elder-Ulisses-Soares-of-the-Quorum-of-the-Twelve-Apostles-speaks-to-the-youth-of-Tahiti-at-a-devotional-that-was-also-broadcast-to-chapels-on-other-islands-in-French-Polynesia.-August-2022
- -Questions-asked-by-a-panel-of-six-teenagers-were-answered-by-Elder-Ulisses-Soares,-Elder-Carlos-A.-Godoy-and-Elder-K.-Brett-Nattress-at-a-youth-devotional-in-Papeete,-Tahiti.-August-2022
- Elder-Ulisses-Soares-shakes-hands-with-a-young-man-from-Tahiti.-August-2022
- Elder-Ulisses-Soares-and-Sister-Rosana-Soares-greet-young-people-during-their-ministering-visit-to-Papeete,-Tahiti.-August-2022
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During the devotional, Elder Soares answered questions posed by a panel of six teenagers.
Elder Soares shared seven powerful messages in his responses:
1. The Lord knows my heart and my weaknesses, but he told me to represent Him, and I am committed to do that, until I die.
2. One of the most beautiful gifts of the gospel of Jesus Christ is repentance. Only the atoning sacrifice of the Saviour can help us to feel His love.
3. Church leaders and parents love you and desire for you to become what the Lord needs you to become, and the Holy Ghost provides the strength to do what is needed.
4. When the life of Jesus Christ lights your life, you will light the lives of others. They will want to know why you have that special light and that’s the time to share what you believe.
5. I always believed The Book of Mormon was true because I grew up in the Church. But I never prayed about it. I prayed about it after reading Moroni 10:3-5. I didn’t see a light in the sky, but I had a feeling that was so strong, that I couldn’t deny The Book of Mormon was true.
6. When you obey the commandments, you are preparing yourself spiritually to serve the Lord. That is one of the most important parts of your personal preparation to serve a mission or in any other responsibilities in the Kingdom of God.
7. If you feel that you have too much pressure to live the gospel, please remember that the Lord loves you and that there are 15 prophets of God who also love you and pray for you constantly. You can put your trust the Lord and in His gospel.
DOWNLOADElder Godoy shared some personal experiences with the youth including how he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at about the same age as the young people attending the devotional.
He testified of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and how much purpose, direction, and joy it continues to bring to his life.
Elder Nattress invited the youth to Trust in the Lord. He said, “Remember who you are and always remember Him (the Son of God).”
He then quoted President Nelson, when he said, “I believe that if the Lord were speaking to you directly, the first thing He would make sure you understand is your true identity. My dear friends, you are literally spirit children of God.”
In his concluding remarks, Elder Soares told the youth, “When I look at you, I see great children of God and a brilliant future of this gospel in this beautiful land. It would be an honour for me to shake your hand.” The meeting ended with people going forward, one by one, to meet Elder Soares and the other visiting Church leaders.