Church Leaders and Youth Discuss 2023 Youth Theme in Worldwide Broadcast

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For Teji, a young woman, standing atop Utah’s Ensign Peak and viewing the vastness of the Salt Lake Valley was a metaphor of God’s grand designs.

“I think being able to see this perspective — and especially when we were down at the bottom and we had such a smaller view — kind of shows us that even sometimes when we’re struggling in life [and] we don’t understand why certain things are happening — this can remind us that there’s always a bigger picture and there’s always going to be a reason for things,” Teji said.

The teenager was at the popular Salt Lake City hiking destination with seven other youth and three leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund. Their journey to the top of the snowy peak was part of a devotional that was broadcast Sunday, January 29, 2023, to discuss the Church’s 2023 youth theme. The broadcast included discussion with the same group in front of a live audience in the Conference Center (pre-recorded on January 22, 2023).

The theme, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” is from Paul’s letter to the Philippians in the New Testament. The symbol accompanying the theme is a trail marker — a representation, President Lund said, of spiritual guides for youth like general conference, scripture and commandments.

“[These things] can confirm our progress or they can draw our attention to things meant to bring us joy,” he said. “Sometimes they warn us of danger ahead. Our task is to just move our feet, one step at a time, to take each step forward and then the next.”

The group considered the importance of a religious life of prayer and service.

One young man, Ammon, said his father died when he was in eighth grade. The compassion shown by fellow congregants to him and his family was key.

“The love that you receive from being in the Church and participating in those activities — people definitely get to know you,” Ammon said. “And through that you can gain support.”

Since that time, Ammon said he finds hope through prayer.

“I still sometimes feel alone, but if I just pray about it and come closer to God, I feel like Heavenly Father’s with me, and so is my dad.”

Another young man, Bryson, said difficulties will always be a part of life, even for the faithful. But, he added, God is with us.

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“I would a thousand times rather have God on my side when I’m going through those hardships than when I’m not,” Bryson said. “We’re here to grow, to learn, to make connections, meet people. That’s just super powerful.”

The group also discussed the need for strong networks of family and friends.

Natali, a native of Venezuela, said family has been a key source of stability in her transition to the United States.

“It’s really scary to go somewhere where you don’t speak the language and you can’t communicate with anyone,” she said. “We crave connection, and overall, I think the most important connection is our families, because no matter what happens, we always have them there no matter where we go.”

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President Cordon said cultivating a relationship with Jesus will bolster our bonds with family and friends.

“We all want to be seen, we want to be heard, and we want to be loved by our friends and especially our family,” President Cordon said. “But you know what’s amazing? There is help with those relationships. As we develop a relationship with our Savior, our ability to connect with others will grow stronger and they’ll be more meaningful. And so, if we really can focus on the Savior, some of those other relationships will be stronger.”

“I call it covenant belonging,” added Elder Gong. “It’s when we connect by covenant with Heaven, with family, with our Church leaders and the Church, and with each other as youth. Covenants are the strongest bond in heaven and on earth.”

At the end of the broadcast, President Cordon gave youth a simple invitation: “What is one thing you can do — or stop doing — that will draw you closer to the Savior?”

She encouraged youth to write this down and share their stories of overcoming trials with the hashtag, #AllThingsThroughChrist.

President Lund announced that the next global youth event will be a music and arts festival in August 2023. Youth can submit original music, poetry, art or, he added, “anything else that illustrates how Jesus Christ has been your strength,” at youth.churchofjesuschrist.org and on social media using the hashtag #AllThingsThroughChrist.

Elder Gong urged youth to remember the many ways that Heavenly Father shows His love for them on the path of life.

“Please look with eyes to see,” the Apostle said. “As we’ve talked about tonight, you’ll find spiritual trail markers in many places — friends and families, quorums and classes, bishops and other leaders, patriarchal blessings, scriptures, activities and service, the Holy House of the Lord, and especially the promptings of the Holy Ghost that draw us to our Savior Jesus Christ.”

Watch the full worldwide event for youth: I Can Do All Things Through Christ