Young Women and Young Men of the Africa West Area were blessed to participate in a devotional with Sister Tamara W. Runia, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, on 19 November, 2024. Held in Accra, Ghana, the devotional was broadcast to youth across the area. Elder Isaac K. Morrison, second counsellor in the Africa West Area Presideincy, also addressed the youth.
The Accra Ghana Christiansborg Stake Center was filled with youth and leaders who came to hear Sister Runia speak about feeling God’s love for them, about understanding their worth, and about being good as well as smart.
Sister Runia teaches Africa West Area youth about feeling God's love and recognizing their self-worth on 19 November 2024.
Sister Runia teaches Africa West Area youth about feeling God's love and recognizing their self-worth on 19 November 2024.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Speaking to youth who sometimes feel inadequate, she emphasized their divine worth in an engaging and interactive way. She acknowledged that sometimes we don’t do what we should, and we feel a bit discouraged for our shortcomings. To clarify the difference between obedience and worth, Sister Runia taught: “Sometimes we tie our worth to our obedience, and that is wrong. They are not the same. . .Your worth was given to you by God, and there’s nothing that you or anyone else can do to change it.”
Showing the audience images of the universe, of stars and galaxies and of the infinite creations of God, she acknowledged that even when we are trying hard, we can still feel small and insignificant in comparison to everything around us. But then she asked: ”Do you want to know what the great secret of the universe is? OK, this is it . . .. we are His greatest creation, we are His work and his glory.” She explained that all worlds, all stars, and all galaxies will eventually pass away, but of His creations only we, His children, will live eternally. She reassured them that “just because we don’t remember our Heavenly Father, it doesn’t mean that He has forgotten us.”
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- Elder-Morrison-admonishes-youth-to-obtain-their-Patriarchal-Blessing-on-19-November,-2024.
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Regarding mistakes we make and the need to repent, she referenced President Russell M. Nelson who has told us that all of us, everyone, needs to repent. She counselled the youth not to feel discouraged when they try and make mistakes. She reassured them that “you are not alone. Christ is closer than you think, and the minute that you turn to Him, He is there.” She emphasized that “repentance doesn’t burden Jesus, it brightens Jesus.” She testified that the atonement is an expression of God’s love for all of us.
Elder Morrison then spoke to the youth of one of the ways to feel God’s love for them. Referencing their entitlement to a patriarchal blessing, he told them, “It is good that you take your blessing early so that you can know of God’s will for your life. It will be your personal guide.” He admonished them: “I have only one invitation for you . . .make an effort now to go for your patriarchal blessing.”
The meeting concluded with the congregation singing “Choose the Right” as a reminder to draw on the power of the atonement and to allow the Spirit to help them make good and smart choices.