Elder D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, invited young adults to have trust in the Savior’s path of discipleship at the Worldwide Young-Adult Devotional on Jan.12 in Utah.
He expressed how Heavenly Father and the Savior are not disinterested observers, curious to see if things will work out for God's children. Students said they hope to look for opportunities to choose Christ.
The live-broadcast devotional to YSA students at BYUH took place in the evening at the Heber Grant Building (HGB), coordinated by the stake presidency of the YSA 2nd Stake.
Angela Fantone, a senior majoring in English from the Philippines, said, “I thought it was very timely, especially as young people, we find it hard committing to something.”
When the gospel of Jesus Christ becomes the focus of a person’s life and that person commits to focus on Christ, everything else falls into place, said Fantone. She stressed how one should not commit half-heartedly.
Fantone quoted Christofferson, saying, “Anyone who truly does commit to Christ, to full discipleship, cannot fail. Why then hesitate in becoming fully and unreservedly committed? Why hold back in taking his yoke upon us knowing his yolk is easy and his yoke is light?”
She said she invited others to find the courage to commit to Christ and make decisions revolving around him. She said,” Make Christ-centered decisions because deep down, we know what we want and when we bring it to the Savior, it will all unfold itself.”
Sara Nelson, a sophomore from Utah majoring in psychology, commented, “It’s been a hard year. I feel like I’ve had moments where I’ve felt betrayed and where I lost trust in God, and it's been hard to overcome. Going to the devotional … was a big step, and I wanted to reconnect with Him.
“I felt like the talk … was really good because it talked about believing the good things in people. Being reminded again and again about Heavenly Father and Jesus, [and] that they really care for us, especially now where there are so many bad things.”
Nelson said she believes it is hard when you think you’re failing at certain things in life. She said the hard things make an individual more capable of facing adversity. “Now that I’m at the end of the tunnel, I can look back and see that I never failed, even when I felt like it, and even when it was hard and when I was sad.”
According to Fantone, students are at a point in our lives where single adults have to make decisions dealing with education, careers and courtship.
She added how she believes events like the devotional were important things for a young adult. She said it was important to have spiritual tools like the Spirit to help others to commit to making decisions.
Leona Teichert, a freshman student from Wyoming majoring in elementary education, said she struggles with the “fear of missing out,” also known as FOMO. “I really enjoyed the talk. I felt that it was very applicable to my life because I definitely have [FOMO] a lot because it makes me go out and try a lot ... I think it’s important to slow down.”
Brec Jorgensen, a sophomore from Utah double majoring in exercise and sport science and music, said he enjoyed both Elder and Sister Christofferson's talks and thought they were equally as powerful.
He said, “I remember her telling a story. They were talking about sacrifice and being in financially tough times and they still chose to pay for donations. Later on, they got into a car accident, and the man who hit them had paid them the same amount which they donated for the church building.”
According to Jorgensen, he said he remembered both of them joking after the experience and being grateful to God. He added, “I thought about that whenever I paid tithing and put God first, I do believe it’s true that God pays you in full. God doesn’t really owe us anything. Technically, he has given us everything we’ve got. Whenever we sacrifice, God does repay. He takes care of us.”
Teichert said Christofferson’s counsel to slow down stayed with her after the devotional.
She said, “Walking in nature doing simple things that allow you to be in the moment, to be at peace and get away from the loud voice of the world. Our world is so fast-paced … because of social media.”
Jorgensen said when Christofferson spoke about opportunity cost it gave him a chance to reflect on what he is sacrificing. “When you do make a choice, and you got to make a choice eventually otherwise you’re choosing not to do anything, there is a thing that you lose out on. Whatever it is, whether it be social, financial or physical cost, there is something you’re sacrificing.”