Earlier this month hundreds of Melbourne teenagers and young adults from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were treated to an uplifting evening of music and the spoken word, with special guests David Archuleta and Brad Wilcox.
Mormon musician and American Idol runner-up, David Archuleta, opened the night with the song “Glorious” — that he recorded for last year’s Meet The Mormons movie. Archuleta then addressed the young audience and shared his story of becoming a professional singer.
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After competing in the 2008 American Idol contest, Archuleta decided to put his music career on hold to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Following his story, Archuleta encouraged the youth to trust God and make family and church a priority in their busy lives.
20-year-old Bryony O’Riordan was impressed by Archuleta’s positive and inspiring message.
“I loved hearing his story about how we don’t get to decide what happens to us, but we do get to decide who we are and what our priorities are,” she said.
“It was such an inspirational reminder that we need to give time to our church priorities and honestly ask ourselves what they are and then be true to them.”
Archuleta then sang an acapella version of a Mormon hymn called “Come, Come, Ye Saints.”
Brigham Young University professor, Dr Brad Wilcox, also spoke to the young people.
Starting his talk with a jolly attempt to sing “Waltzing Matilda,” Wilcox had the audience in fits of laughter.
He then spoke to the youth in a warm and direct manner, reminding them that God knows them individually and has a plan for them. Like Archuleta, Wilcox urged the teenagers to draw closer to church, family and prayer.
One member of the audience, Sheridan Sayer, enjoyed what Dr Wilcox shared.
“Brad Wilcox reminded us that we don't necessarily go to church to enjoy ourselves, but rather to lift, edify and love our fellow brothers and sisters as Christ would do if he were amongst us,” she said.
“He also highlighted changes that we might need to make in our lives without making us feel like a terrible person.
“I had an extremely uplifting, entertaining and touching night.”
Elder Robert J. Dudfield, a Church leader from Melbourne, said the night was “a wonderful success for everybody involved.”
“It was a sacred privilege for each of us to have had these special visitors with us to bear testimony of the love of God and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said.
“From inspirational thoughts and beautiful music from David Archuleta, to humorous, engaging and powerful teachings from Brad Wilcox, I am confident that all who participated felt an outpouring of love from God.”
The meeting was also broadcast live to youth and young adults of the Church and their invited friends throughout Victoria and Tasmania.
Newsroom contributor: Jordana de Valle