2023 Devotionals
Opening Remarks

Opening Remarks

Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults

By Quentin L. Cook

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Thank you, President Reese.

Before commencing our comments, I’d like to acknowledge the passing of President M. Russell Ballard last Sunday—my quorum president and dear friend. I express my condolences to his family and my love and appreciation for his life of sacrifice and dedication in blessing all of our Heavenly Father’s children.

Mary and I are pleased to join with Elder Clark G. Gilbert and Sister Christine Gilbert to speak to you in this worldwide devotional originating from the campus of Brigham Young University.

In preparation for this assignment, we gathered questions from young adults across the Church. We started with our CES campuses: here at BYU, then BYU–Idaho, BYU–Hawaii, and Ensign College. We then expanded across the world with BYU–Pathway students and to those attending institute across The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Presidents of these institutions and other leaders met with groups of students to determine what questions are most important for young adults at this time. It was a wonderful process, and in the end the questions were amazing.

Your thoughts and feelings were extraordinarily similar; so many of you share common spiritual and other life questions. Whether it was an institute student in Peru, an engineering student on the campus of BYU–Idaho, someone studying through BYU–Pathway in West Africa, a graphic design student here on the BYU campus, or a working professional attending institute in Europe, the Philippines, or right here in Utah, young adults all across the Church are unified in their faith in Jesus Christ and share similar longings, aspirations, and concerns. You are amazing and are such an important part of the future of this Church.

We have grouped your questions into five categories for our presentation today:

  1. Facing life and faith challenges

  2. Love and belonging

  3. Life planning and life balance

  4. Standing for truth

  5. Receiving personal revelation

  6. Prophetic guidance

Today, we would like to discuss each of these questions with you in a way that draws on our own personal life experiences and our observations from interacting with young adults across the Church.

Sister Cook and I will address the first two questions on life and faith challenges and love and belonging. Elder and Sister Gilbert will then share experiences on how to balance life responsibilities. They will also speak on what it means to stand for truth in this time of commotion. I will then share some reflections and counsel on receiving personal revelation and conclude with thoughts on prophetic guidance.