On 17 February 2024, Young Single Adults (YSA) from throughout Nigeria gathered at Lagos Nigeria Ikeja Stake Center for a special devotional with Elder David A. Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Patrick Kearon, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Carlos A. Godoy, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.
The devotional was also broadcast to thousands throughout West Africa. Young Single Adults in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and other areas of Nigeria were able to participate virtually with the leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joining the Church leaders at the devotional were Sister Susan Bednar, Sister Jennifer Kearon, and Sister Monica Godoy. They were also joined by the presidency of the Africa West Area, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, a General Authority Seventy and President of the Africa West Area, and his Counselors Elder Jorg Klebingat, a General Authority Seventy, Sister Julia Klebingat, and Alfred Kyungu, also a General Authority Seventy.
The Church leaders fielded questions provided by young single adults in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire and from the attendees in Nigeria.
When asked how we can know when we are forgiven, Elder Bednar said, “When we sin we withdraw ourselves from the Holy Ghost. When the Holy Ghost begins to have influence over our lives again, we know that we are forgiven.”
Elder Kearon added that, “The intent of our Heavenly Father is that we will return to Him, it is not His intention to keep us out. It is why we have the Plan of Salvation. It is because and through the atonement of Jesus Christ that we can feel true repentance.”
When asked what the Lord expects from Young Single Adults, Sister Godoy said, “He wants you to remain faithful, holding onto the iron rod. The mists of darkness will not go away even if we are faithful, but God will remain with you through your trials. Elder Godoy added that,”We need to know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us. We can’t know everything now, but we need to know enough to continue to move forward.”
“Our Heavenly Father glories in the eternal life of each young single adult. That is what He wants from you, continued efforts to become better each day so that you can live with Him again,” said Elder Kearon.
A young single adult from Liberia wondered how you can stand for your standards and belief’s without offending others who don’t believe as you do. Elder Godoy noted that when he was first baptized, he would continue to ask his family when they would be baptized. “They started avoiding me, and by avoiding me, they were avoiding the gospel.” He encouraged the attendees to live the gospel in a “normal and natural way” without attacking anyone. Elder Bednar noted that,” It is a spiritual delight to live the gospel around people who aren’t members. Just be you and live the gospel the way you know how.”
The leaders were asked for advice to someone who is looking for an eternal companion. Sister Kearon said that sometimes our expectations make it difficult to find a companion. “There is no such thing as a perfect person, but there is a perfect person for you,” and added that “If you are looking for someone with certain characteristics, you need to cultivate those same characteristics in your life. You need to be the type of person that would attract the person you desire to marry.”
Sister Bednar encouraged the attendees not to become discouraged in their efforts to find an eternal companion, and to keep on looking. “When you are not actively seeking a companion, you are frustrating the very purpose for which the world was created, it’s that important. Do not skirt this important responsibility.”
Elder Bednar added that, “You are not looking for the perfect person, you are looking for someone with whom you can work together to make sacred covenants and create a celestial companionship and family. You are looking for someone with whom you can share your love and devotion to Jesus Christ.
Lagos was Elder Bednar, Elder Kearon, and Elder Godoy’s first stop on a ten-day tour of the Africa West Area which includes visits to Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Liberia.
