Local Voices
‘God’s Words Can Change our lives’
Young Adults in Madagascar Share Learnings from Elder Andersen
Young adults in this island nation gathered to watch a special message given in French by an Apostle of the Lord and shared their thoughts afterwards.
From La Reunion to Mauritius, French-speaking young adults in the Africa South Area gathered in February to watch the live-streamed online devotional given by Elder Neal L. and Sister Kathy S. Andersen.
It was the first of several live devotionals shared by Apostles of the Lord—along with their wives and other inspiring Church leaders—with young adults in their own regions and in their own languages.
Elder Andersen, who served his mission in Paris, France as a young man, said that he had brushed up on his French for the occasion.
His message centered on the reality of a loving Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ: something of which he has become increasingly aware in the 12 years that he has served as an Apostle.
At different times over those years, he told young adults, he has had “unspeakable experiences and feelings that I never anticipated in my life, assuring me of the reality of Jesus Christ.”
He extended six invitations to his listeners:
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Believe in God.
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Believe that you are a son or daughter of God, and that He knows and loves you.
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Believe that you can speak to your Heavenly Father and He will send His Spirit upon you.
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Believe that the kingdom of God is rolling forth across the world and that we each are an important part of preparing for the Second Coming of the Savior.
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Believe that others whom you know will embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.
Elder Andersen reassured young adults that “your faith in Jesus Christ is not in vain. You will see Him again. All the world will know He is the Son of God.”
Afterwards, young adults in Madagascar shared what they had learned from the experience.
Ramasiantsimba Harinirina Faniry Andriamanama, from Ivandry in Antananarivo, said that during the event she felt deep within her that her Heavenly Father loves us greatly and that He only wants what is good for us.
“Jesus told us to take courage,” she said. “He said, ‘Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid . . .
“‘Ye believe in God, believe also in me’1.”
“The Spirit prompts us to believe in God and to have faith in Jesus Christ. But sadly, we as the youth tend to neglect it,” she said. For this reason, Ramasiantsimba invites all of her fellow young adults to strengthen their faith.
“I would like to invite each of us to always strengthen that which we believe. Let’s encourage each other to believe in those things that are not seen but are true2,” she said.
Along with that, she said, “let’s follow God’s commandments, pray regularly—be it with our family or individually—and mostly, let’s seek the desire to follow Jesus Christ.
“Let us lean unto God and trust him,” she concluded. “For we have to remember that the youth of today will be the future of the Church.”
For Fanxy from Avalatu Ward, the main message centred around developing a relationship with Deity. “What I learned from Apostle Andersen is the importance of believing in God, and having faith in Jesus Christ,” she said. “The whole universe testifies of the existence of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.”
Another sister who attended said that she had learned that our Heavenly Father loves us, and that He listens to us when we pray. “I know that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the world,” she testified. “We must all take part in putting together the puzzle for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.”
Elodie said that she was really grateful for the opportunity to listen to the teachings of Elder and Sister Andersen.
“Their teaching and testimonies have greatly strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ,” she said.
“I know that God really loves us with a continuous and immense love.
“He sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us. I’m really grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ; for His love for us and His example.”
Martine said, “I realised how much God loves us today. He loves us with a pure love. He knows us. He knows our feelings, and what is in our hearts.”
Because of His love for us, said Martine, we can trust Him with the details of our lives. “It’s important for each of us to be close to Him, and to entrust our life in his hands,” she said.
“He is always there for you and me—during pleasant as well as difficult times,” Martine testified. “Through prayer we can feel His presence. We can talk to Him; we can confide in Him. His words . . . can change our lives.”