Queensland Teens Attend Conference to Strengthen Values

In January, more than 1500 teenages aged between 14-18 years old gathered together for a week long event in Brisbane, Australia. The Conference theme “For Strength of Youth” comes from a guidebook written for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly focussing on youth related matters including dating, media, standards and following the Saviour Jesus Christ. These and other messages were the basis for this special conference.

Participants were provided opportunities to strengthen their faith in Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ as well as develop new friendships with peers who have the same beliefs and values. The President of the Church, Thomas S. Monson has said, “Let us shun those things which will drag us down. Let our hearts be pure. Let our lives be clean.” 

The teens were supervised and taught by 250 young volunteer leaders, most in their early twenties, donating time to make the event a huge success. The team leaders relayed their gratitude for the opportunity to inspire the groups as they led them through the various events including Church standards, life skills, physical activities and sporting events.

Reflecting on the experiences and opportunity they were given, the volunteer leaders shared their thoughts. Gillian Bell from a congregation in Logan reflected that the opportunity “was one of the hardest but most rewarding opportunities” she had ever been given. Alex Purdon from the Eight Miles Plains congregation relished the opportunity “to inspire young minds to learn and grow in their own way.”

Photos courtesey of Horizon Studios and Chelcie Photography