Speaking on Sunday (28 June) at the New Zealand Auckland Harbour Stake conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Kevin W. Pearson told teenagers to “be active in secular and religious education.”
Elder Pearson is president of the Church’s Pacific Area. He was accompanied at the conference by his wife, June Pearson.
“All learning is spiritual,” Elder Pearson said. “The Holy Ghost enlightens, quickens and reminds; and will teach you truth at home, church, school, anywhere.”
Elder Pearson counselled the young people, “Everybody wants to follow what’s ‘trending,’ what others are ‘following,’ or ‘liking.’ Everybody wants to fit in.”
“It’s time to stop fitting in and start standing up and standing out.”
Elder Pearson also talked with the young people about the opportunity they have to learn who they are, in particular their divine heritage as a son or daughter of God.
“As you learn who you really are, your divine identity will influence your beliefs and values, which will inform your attitudes and behaviours, which will lead you to act in certain ways,” he said. “This is how you shape your reality and your destiny. It all begins by learning your divine identity from your Father in Heaven by the power of the Holy Ghost.”
“Happiness is a decision, not your circumstances,” he said. “Ask, seek and knock, as our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ invited us all to do. Ask your Father in Heaven for the revelation you need to know who you are and what He wants you to do and be.”
Elder Pearson urged the youth to work hard in their religious and school studies. “You get what you focus on consistently,” he said. “Hard work reveals capacity. Your decisions about education and learning will determine your destiny.”
He continued: “We need educated leaders. Great leaders are great learners. It’s time to become a great learner.”
Elder Pearson spoke to around 200 teenagers at this meeting for youth as part of the two-day semi-annual conference for members and guests of the Church living in the northern suburbs of Auckland.