Young Single Adults in Nigeria Invited to “Arise and Come Forth Unto Christ”

With a theme drawn from the Savior’s invitation in the Book of Mormon, the 2025 Young Single Adult (YSA) Summit for the Uyo Coordinating Council of Nigeria concluded this week, emphasizing faith, discipleship, and purposeful living. The multi-day event, held at TopFaith International Secondary School, brought together young adults for a blend of spiritual instruction, practical workshops, and joyful social activities, all centered on the call to come unto Jesus Christ.

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Under the theme “Arise and Come Forth Unto Me” (3 Nephi 11:14), the summit provided a roadmap for lifelong discipleship. Leaders from across the Africa West Area addressed the youth, focusing on the principles of faithfulness, honoring priesthood covenants, making righteous choices, and achieving self-reliance—all essential elements in answering the Savior’s call.

In a powerful devotional message, Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran, a General Authority Seventy and First Counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency, assured the young adults of the Lord’s blessings through faithfulness. Quoting Doctrine and Covenants 105:16–18, he declared the youth to be “the strength of the Lord’s house,” gathered as warriors for the redemption of His people.

Elder Ojediran provided a metaphor for spiritual growth, counseling the YSAs to understand the divine timing in their personal journeys. “Know your time to plant, know your time to water, know your time to manure, and know your time to harvest,” he taught. This emphasis on patience, consistent effort, and trusting in the Lord’s timeline is a cornerstone of coming unto Christ, who is the ultimate source of all spiritual increase.

Elder Enefiok Ntem, an Area Seventy and Chairman of the Uyo Coordinating Council, built upon this foundation by focusing on the daily decisions that shape a disciple’s life. He admonished the young adults to carefully weigh the eternal impact of their choices, urging them to take ownership of their paths.

“Align your options with your values and goals,” Elder Ntem counseled. “Always remember that the quality of your life will be shaped by the quality of your choices.” This teaching reinforces that coming unto Christ is not a single event but a cumulative process of countless small decisions to follow His way.

The importance of covenant belonging and sustaining the Lord’s authorized servants was highlighted by President Adiel Ntuk of the Uyo Nigeria Stake, who also chaired the summit’s planning committee. He taught that bishops, stake presidents, and the prophet hold priesthood keys from God, and that immeasurable blessings flow when members sustain and follow their inspired counsel.

“To receive the full blessings of the priesthood, we must always respond with ‘I will do’ instead of excuses, complaints, or murmuring,” President Ntuk taught. “When the priesthood is exercised faithfully, it brings blessings to the human family. But when its counsel is not sustained, those blessings are lost.” He further explained that all members, including sisters who serve in callings under priesthood authorization, share in the power of priesthood keys.

Citing the faithful example of the prophet Nephi, President Ntuk urged participants to embrace obedience with faith in every circumstance. “Like Nephi, we must always say, ‘I will go and do what I am asked to do,’” he added. This spirit of willing obedience is a direct response to the Savior’s invitation to follow Him.

Answering the call to come unto Christ also includes striving for temporal self-reliance, enabling individuals to better serve and lift others. President Christian Onovughe, the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager, encouraged participants to take full advantage of the Perpetual Education Fund (PEF).

“The updated PEF program can help lift you out of poverty and prepare you for the opportunities and leadership ahead,” he said. He explained that the program is designed to help young single adults provide for themselves and their families, thereby empowering them to serve more effectively in the Church and their communities without temporal hindrances.

Beyond the inspiring addresses, the summit was designed to put these principles into practice. Cluster sessions and institute classes provided deeper gospel instruction. A Frank Talk session, led by Brother Charles Okonkwo, offered a candid forum for discussion. Workshops on FamilySearch and self-reliance provided practical tools, while activities like vibrant cultural displays, sports competitions, karaoke, and a pageantry showcase fostered unity and joy—a hallmark of the Savior’s kingdom.

The 2025 Uyo YSA Summit successfully created a sacred space for young adults to “arise,” refocus on the covenant path, and move forward with renewed determination to come unto Jesus Christ through faith, obedience, and purposeful living.