News Release

Mormon Leader Counsels Young Single Adults to Realize Their Full Potential

Speaking to a large group of young single adults (YSAs) gathered at the Quirino Chapel in Quezon City on November 19, 2015, Elder Neil L. Andersen, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, emphasized the need to prepare for the future by developing one’s talents and potential.

“You are in a very important time, learning and determining what you are going to be in the future. You are in a stage where you are being prepared. You need to see yourselves as sons and daughters of God with infinite potential,” Elder Andersen addressed the audience composed mostly of 18 to 30 year olds.

To emphasize his point, he used the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly as an example. Just as a caterpillar must first undergo a painful transformation before turning into a magnificent butterfly, so do life’s difficulties and challenges can also bring out the best in us.

In order to achieve one’s infinite potential, Elder Andersen shared two important suggestions. First, learn to do something very well. He encouraged those who were in the audience to develop livelihood skills that will enable them to “take good care of themselves and their families.” Second, don’t put off the most important for something that is (merely) good. “If you will remain faithful, there will come a time when all in this life would be made right,” he said.

In the later part of his speech, he was joined by his wife, Kathy, who stressed the importance of making righteous decisions in developing one’s inherently divine qualities.

Hundreds of young single adults from several stakes(diocese) in the North Metro Manila area attended the devotional. Others who also spoke in the meeting were Elder Allen D. Haynie of the Area Presidency, Sister Nancy Maynes  and Elder Richard J. Maynes , Presidency of the Seventy. 


Report by Khristine Lopez

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