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| Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Jennifer, speak to young adults during a devotional held in the Conference Center on Temple Square on February 1, 2026. |
“We invite you to make one hour a week—the sacrament hour—a true focus for finding joy,” Elder Patrick Kearon said.
Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, together with his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon, encouraged young adults around the world to place faith in Jesus Christ firmly in the foreground of their lives during a Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults held Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Broadcast live from the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, the devotional reached a global audience of young adults seeking spiritual strength, peace, and direction in an increasingly complex world. Nearly 17,000 young adults from across Utah gathered in person for the event, creating an atmosphere Elder Kearon affectionately described as “cozy—in the most gargantuan and enormous sort of way.”
At the heart of the Kearons’ message was a simple but powerful invitation: to intentionally center one hour each week—the Sunday sacrament meeting—on finding joy through faith in Jesus Christ.
“We invite you to make one hour a week a real focus for finding joy,” Elder Kearon said. “That sacrament hour on Sunday—let us make that the most joyful moment in the week that we can experience.”
Sister Kearon echoed the message, emphasizing that joy naturally flows when faith and trust in the Savior increase.
“We can’t help but be joyful when we increase our faith and trust in Christ and His plan for us,” she said, inviting young adults to consistently bring faith to the forefront of their daily decisions.
A Global Conversation of Faith
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| Young adults listen to Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Jennifer, on February 1, 2026, at the Conference Center on Temple Square. |
Throughout the devotional, the Kearons’ unscripted remarks were interwoven with recorded conversations with small groups of young adults from the United States, Mexico, Norway, Curaçao, and the Republic of the Congo. These discussions addressed common challenges faced by young adults, including uncertainty about the future, faith struggles, anxiety, and the desire for greater peace and purpose.
Scriptural teachings, prophetic counsel, and personal experiences formed the foundation of the Kearons’ messages as they testified of Jesus Christ and His central role in overcoming life’s difficulties.
For many attendees, the devotional felt personal and intimate despite the large setting.
“It felt like sitting in a living room with an Apostle,” said Bryson Newswander of Hyde Park, Utah. “Almost like I was sitting face to face with Elder and Sister Kearon. It was a pretty neat experience.”
Overcoming Roadblocks to Feeling God’s Love
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| Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Jennifer, speak to young adults during a devotional held in the Conference Center on Temple Square on February 1, 2026. |
Elder Kearon referenced a teaching from President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency, reminding young adults that mortal life is not a graded test but an opportunity to stretch, grow, and learn who they are becoming.
The Kearons identified common roadblocks that can prevent individuals from feeling God’s love, including self-doubt, discouragement, shame, cynicism, and hopelessness. Sister Kearon encouraged listeners to learn to recognize and trust the voice of the Savior.
“His voice is always encouraging, always loving, always hopeful,” she said. “He is bound by covenant to each one of us. So, feast upon the words of Christ.”
Strengthening Friends Who Struggle in Faith
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| Sister Jennifer Kearon greets young adults on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Temple Square following the Worldwide Devotional broadcast. |
Addressing how young adults can support friends experiencing faith challenges, Sister Kearon emphasized the power of love and presence.
“Your friends need to feel your love,” she said. “They need to know you are a safe place—someone who will respect them, care for them, and help them no matter what they’re going through.”
She encouraged honest, heartfelt conversations rooted in compassion rather than judgment.
Elder Kearon added that continued engagement in Church service can strengthen faith, even during periods of uncertainty.
“We are a people who ‘go and do,’” he said, citing 1 Nephi 3:7. “There is great power in that. It keeps our faith alive—and if our faith has drifted, it can draw us back.”
Aly Woodbury of Riverdale, Utah, said the devotional reinforced the strength found in unity.
“We really felt the joy of standing together as young single adults,” she said.
Finding Peace and Joy in the Savior
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| Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks to young adults during a devotional held in the Conference Center on Temple Square on February 1, 2026. |
In a world marked by anxiety and fear about the future, Elder Kearon reflected on the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob, who worried deeply for his people.
“I’d like my anxiety to be more outward-focused,” he said, explaining that Christ-centered concern for others can replace self-focused fear.
Sister Kearon acknowledged that uncertainty is a natural part of mortal life but taught that peace comes through connection with Jesus Christ.
“Our spirits are not meant for contention,” she said. “They are meant for gentleness, meekness, love, forgiveness, and peace.”
She encouraged young adults to disconnect from constant social media consumption and instead connect more deeply with the Savior, who has already overcome the world.
Understanding and Applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ
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| Young adults listen to Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Jennifer, on February 1, 2026, at the Conference Center on Temple Square. |
Elder Kearon shared personal reflections from his early years as a convert, recalling his initial struggle to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
“When we understand that Jesus Christ, through His Atonement, can help us through any trial—bringing peace, love, and joy—then we are well on our way,” he said. “After the tears comes explosive joy.”
Sister Kearon testified that the Savior’s strength flows directly from His Atonement.
“He has the right and the power to grant you His strength, His love, and His hope,” she said.
Institute of Religion: An Invitation and a Promise
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| Young adults listen to Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Jennifer, on February 1, 2026, at the Conference Center on Temple Square. |
The devotional also marked the 100-year anniversary of Institutes of Religion, which—together with seminaries—are approaching a milestone of nearly one million participants worldwide.
“Tonight, you are one in a million,” Sister Kearon told the audience. “But you are known to God. You are loved, and He is aware of every detail of your life.”
In a prerecorded message, President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency invited young adults to consistently attend institute.
“In a day of noise and confusion, institute offers one of the greatest opportunities to learn, gather, and lift others,” President Oaks said. “I promise that your time in institute will bring the Savior’s peace, joy, and divine love.”
‘Sing the Song of Redeeming Love’
Elder Kearon concluded by reflecting on Alma the Younger’s desire that all might “sing the song of redeeming love.” He encouraged young adults to bring gospel truth into the foreground of their hearts and minds through daily practice.
As a symbolic act of renewed commitment, the congregation sang the hymn “Let Us All Press On” with rising enthusiasm.
“May you be blessed as you put the emphasis in your life where it belongs,” Elder Kearon said. “I am grateful to stand with you in this gathering of faith, light, joy, and the promise of the Savior’s peace, joy, and divine love"
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