In his first visit to a For the Strength of Youth conference in the United States this summer, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf spent time talking with youth and their counselors Thursday afternoon, July 14.
The member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles went to Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, for a few hours to hear from the youth about their experiences and to share some words of encouragement with them.
He was accompanied by Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon and Brother Ahmad Corbitt, First Counselor in the Young Men general presidency.
After speaking with a few of the youth, Elder Uchtdorf said he felt the same thing with this group that he feels whenever he meets with youth around the world.
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“It’s an excitement for the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said. “It’s an excitement for each other. It’s a love for the Church—for belonging to an organization which really builds character, builds friendships, and makes you a better person for this world in which we live.”
Elder Uchtdorf’s visit was unannounced, so his arrival at the conference caught the youth by surprise. Arriving while the nearly 400 youth attendees were eating lunch, he was able to talk with many youth without interrupting their classes and other activities.
After stopping at one table of three youth eating lunch together, two of the young women he spoke with immediately pulled out their phones to call their moms and let them know what had just happened.
You can read the full story of Elder Uchtdorf, Sister Cordon, and Brother Corbitt’s visit to the FSY conference on Deseret News.
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