President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Russell M. Nelson, and his wife, Wendy, offered new perspectives to the terms “millennial” and “desperation” in this year’s first worldwide devotional for young adults broadcast from the BYU-Hawaii campus. The couple spoke on topics relating to identity and potential – words that resonated with BYUH students.
“I felt the spirit really strongly,” said freshman business management major Kris Zhang from China. “I really liked when [President Nelson] talked about our identity and also his other point about following the prophet.”
After a brief introduction by Billy G. Casey, president of the Laie YSA 2nd Stake, the BYUH Concert Choir performed “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” arranged by Mack Wilberg.
“It was such a wonderful experience to be able to perform,” said freshman Amanda Tietjen from Idaho. “For a lot of us, including me, this was our last performance with this great group for various reasons, including missions or graduation. I can’t think of a better way to finish all together than to bring the spirit into a devotional that was around the world.”
Euijin Oh, a junior majoring in elementary education from South Korea, attended the devotional and said she enjoyed listening to the choir. “Usually when the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or BYU Choir do that song, they have a huge orchestra because it is super powerful,” said Oh.
“This time there wasn’t a huge orchestra. It was only the piano. I thought they were amazing that they still could make that song strong and have that powerful impact.”
Sister Wendy W. Nelson spoke first about making and keeping New Year’s resolutions, briefly recapping a few stories from the New Testament in which people were desperate for healing and aid in their lives. She then related it to student life and the desperation involved with assignments and grades.
“Here’s the good news,” declared Sister Nelson, “desperation can actually be a great motivator.”
Continuing with stories of the Prophet Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail and George Q. Cannon with tithing, she said, “When we’re desperate to become the people we were born to be, our vision changes. We wake up from the spiritual amnesia the adversary so cleverly administers.” While expounding on the idea of becoming the person God needs young adults to be, Sister Nelson offered an experiment with prayer and urged the audience to fully repent of unresolved sins.
“I really liked his wife’s 30-day challenge: pray to thank the Lord for the blessings of the Book of Mormon, then to ask a daily question and read until you get the answer,” said Bryce Nattress, a freshman from Idaho with an undecided major.
President Nelson followed his wife, speaking on the subject of “Becoming True Millennials.” He used the term “millennial” to refer to this generation of young adults, but what he said was done in a more positive light than the world’s perception.
“It was a really personal and true message to me,” said Oh.
“I tend to be kind of harsh on myself and look for weaknesses, and I feel a little depressed about myself sometimes. After listening to their messages, I knew I needed to change and realized that I am a good person because I am a child of God. I felt that he was really meaning that talk for us. He was directly talking to us.”
Throughout the course of his speech, President Nelson gave four recommendations to becoming true millennials:
1) learn who you really are;
2) expect to prepare and accomplish the impossible;
3) learn how to access the power of heaven; and
4) follow the prophets.
“I loved the first point of learning who you really are, and how he said that we taught and were taught in the pre-mortal life to prepare for this life: ‘It’s in you,’” said Nattress. “Also, the invitation to ask the Lord how he sees you, and what he expects you to do, then to record impressions and follow exactly. The topic is just what we need as young adults: remember who you are.”
Biology major Echo Chen, a freshman from China, said she enjoyed seeing President Nelson and hearing him deliver his message with humor and enthusiasm. “I liked how he said we are the chosen generation and that we need to be prepared to do impossible things,” said Chen, “because right now I feel like I’m doing many impossible things with all my assignments and everything. But it gave me hope because he said God won’t let us do anything without a guide. So it is possible. I just need to do it.”
Zhang, a returned missionary, said he had heard President Nelson speak during his time in the MTC. “I especially liked the part at the end where President Nelson blessed us,” said Zhang. “I’d heard him speak before, but I’ve never heard an apostle bless the people like that before.”
In his closing apostolic statement, President Nelson blessed “each one of you as though I had my hands upon your heads with the ability to become the true millennial you were born to be.”