YSA in Ghana Attend Devotional with General Authority

Young single adults in the Cape Coast Ghana Stake were thrilled to hear a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints address them in a devotional held especially for them. Elder Isaac K. Morrison of the Seventy and second counselor in the Africa West Area Presidency met with the YSAs at their stake center on 19 March 2026.

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The devotional was attended by members of the Cape Coast Ghana Stake presidency and other local Church leaders, as well as Sister Hannah Morrison, the wife of Elder Morrison. Prelude hymns were sung by the YSA stake choir before the meeting was brought to order. Brief introductory comments by various local leaders urged the youth to open their minds and hearts to the messages they would hear. Before the Morrisons spoke, the youth were counseled to stay the course and continue as they had started, never giving up. The Savior’s Atonement was offered as the ultimate example of finishing what He started, as He endured the agony in Gethsemane and Golgotha and was ultimately able to say, “It is finished.”

After a musical interlude, Sister Morrison addressed the young congregation. After expressing gratitude for their attendance, she began her remarks by sharing her deep love for the scriptures as a source of guidance, especially for young adults. Drawing on teachings from President Oaks, she shared four key principles for living a joyful and faithful life: strengthening faith in Jesus Christ, increasing humility, seeking help from others, and being patient with oneself. She presented faith as the foundation for all aspects of life, while humility allows individuals to remain open to learning. She also highlighted the importance of reaching out for support during struggles and practicing patience in a world filled with comparison and pressure, trusting in God’s timing.

To illustrate faith in action, Sister Morrison referenced the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to compromise their beliefs even under threat of death. Their example teaches that true faith means standing firm regardless of outcomes, trusting God whether deliverance comes or not. She encouraged listeners to prepare spiritually in advance for life’s challenges, as temptations are inevitable. Through covenant-keeping, scripture study, and intentional choices, individuals can build resilience and remain steadfast. Her message concluded with a testimony of God’s love, the power of the scriptures, and the assurance that peace and strength come from doing what is right.

Following his wife’s remarks, Elder Morrison addressed the youth and began by asking them if they were familiar with GPS and how it works. He used the functionality of GPS to illustrate how people rely on guidance systems for direction, timing, and avoiding obstacles, but noted that while GPS is helpful, it is imperfect and can mislead if followed blindly—as shown in the story of a family that drove into the ocean because they trusted it completely. This set up his first key idea: human-made guidance has limits, and unquestioning reliance without judgment can lead to danger because such tools are not fully reliable.

He then shifted to the story of the Titanic, a symbol of misplaced confidence and delayed response. Despite warnings, many passengers refused to board lifeboats because they believed the ship was “unsinkable” and preferred comfort over caution. By the time the danger became undeniable, panic replaced complacency, and it was too late for many. Elder Morrison highlighted how people often ignore early warnings, choosing ease and distraction until crisis forces urgent action—at which point opportunities for safety are limited.

He then connected this pattern to spiritual preparedness through the story of Noah. Like the Titanic’s passengers, people in Noah’s time dismissed warnings and continued their normal lives despite impending destruction. Noah, however, acted in faith, preparing in advance for something unseen. The ark became a symbol of safety through obedience and trust in divine guidance. Explaining that there was only one door into the ark, Elder Morrison testified that the “one door” represents Jesus Christ as the sole path to salvation. He reinforced the idea that preparation must happen before a crisis, not during it.

The unifying thread throughout Elder Morrison’s talk was the importance of trusting reliable guidance and preparing early rather than reacting late. Whether through GPS, the Titanic, or Noah’s ark, he emphasized that people often drift, ignore warnings, or rely on flawed systems. He again testified that true safety and direction come from following divine guidance, staying committed, and acting in faith consistently. Ultimately, his message was a call to remain “in the boat”—steadfast, prepared, and guided by what he described as the only sure path.

After the meeting closed, Elder Morrison was thronged by young adults who felt inspired and motivated by his message. He and Sister Morrison took time to interact with all who came to thank them for their remarks. The YSAs of the Cape Coast Ghana Stake will long remember their interactions with a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.