President Lund encourages Tarlac youth to stay on the covenant path

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Hundreds of young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Pampanga and Tarlac assembled at a six-day "For the Strength of Youth" (FSY) Conference held at Crystal Wave Hotel & Resort in Nueva Ecija, from July 16 to 22, 2023.

The FSY conference is a Church-designed, multi-stake activity that offers spiritual, social, physical and intellectual guidance to young members of the Church.

President Steven J. Lund, from Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, presided over the conference's devotional - the capstone of the event. In his message, President Lund gave importance to the youth's role in the Gathering of Israel and the challenge of "staying on the covenant path", especially when spiritual disasters occur.

“You were sent here because He has work for you to do—and that Work is the Gathering of Israel. Each of you is [prepared] from the beginning of time and before this world. Each of you was sent here to prepare for the Savior's [return]," he said.

“The atoning sacrifice of our Savior is effective to everyone who reaches for Him and He will stay with you as He directs you along the covenant path. As we come to know the Savior, we know that we can do all things through Him,” he added.

Many attendees and counselors (local youth leaders) shared their takeaways from the devotional saying that they were inspired by the lessons and testimonies imparted by President Lund and his wife, Kalleen.

“President and Sister Lund taught that praying for each other can give us the strength to overcome trials. We can grow and have the courage to do the right things. Repentance allows us to go back to Heavenly Father's presence. Jesus Christ, the Savior, will never leave us. He will never walk away from us," Sheen Dolorfino, a 13-year-old participant from Camiling, said.

"President Lund reminded me of something powerful - that our Savior, Jesus Christ, knows me personally and He has a purpose for my life. It's comforting to know that our Heavenly Father knows each of us, understands our challenges, and desires for us to reach our fullest potential," 18-year-old participant Redeemer Rosete, also shared.