During the week of Nov. 19-25, President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued special invitations to youth and young adults in videos to the two groups. The First Presidency released their annual Christmas message on Friday, Nov. 24. President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, will rededicate the St. George Utah Temple on Dec. 10.

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles addressed young adults in a worldwide devotional broadcast on Sunday, Nov. 19. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to missionaries during a Provo MTC devotional on Thanksgiving day. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talked about rededicating the Okinawa Japan Temple in the Church News podcast and in this week’s video. Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to youth in Brazil during a devotional that was broadcast from Salt Lake City.

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and Primary General President Susan H. Porter ministered to Latter-day Saints in the Philippines and Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman and Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, ministered in Africa. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released locations around the world for the Light the World Giving Machines and announced the Light the World theme.

1. President Nelson issues special, personal invitations to youth and young adults

In two videos released globally, President Russell M. Nelson invites youth and young adults to participate in seminary and institute classes.

Screenshot from YouTube

President Nelson recently issued special, personal invitations to both youth and young adults throughout the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In two videos released globally — one to youth and the other to young adults — President Nelson promised this invitation would help them solve problems in their lives, make decisions and find answers to their questions. It will also help them feel a sense of belonging, increase their faith in Jesus Christ, and find guidance and direction from the Holy Ghost in their lives. 

His invitation? To regularly attend and participate in seminary and institute.

Read the full article here.

2. First Presidency Christmas message

“The Holy Child Is Born,” by Dana Mario Wood

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — President Nelson and his counselors President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring — released a Christmas message on Friday, Nov. 24.

Read the letter here.

3. President Holland to rededicate St. George temple on Dec. 10

Visitors to the St. George Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints walk the temple grounds on the last day of public tours Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in St. George, Utah.

Nick Adams, for the Deseret News

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that President Holland will rededicate the St. George Utah Temple next month on Dec. 10.

In other temple news this week, the First Presidency announced dedication and open house dates for the Manti Utah Temple, the second of the Church’s pioneer-era houses of the Lord ready for rededication following recent renovations. The Church also released locations for temples in Mexico and Brazil and the exterior rendering for a new house of the Lord in Spain.

Read the full article about President Holland dedicating the St. George Utah Temple here.

Read the full article about the Manti Utah Temple here.

Read the full article about the temples in Mexico, Brazil and Spain here.

4. Elder Cook addresses 5 key concerns for young adults in the Church

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during a Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults broadcast on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, from the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.

Brigham Young University

Elder Cook spoke at the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults broadcast on Sunday, Nov. 19. Elder Cook was joined at the devotional by his wife, Sister Mary Cook, as well as Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and the Church commissioner of education, and his wife, Sister Christine Gilbert. The devotional was recorded in the Marriott Center on BYU’s campus in Provo, Utah. 

Read the full article and watch the devotional here.

5. Elder Rasband speaks to missionaries during MTC devotional

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, speaks at a devotional on Thanksgiving Day at the Missionary Training Center in Provo on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.

Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

On Thanksgiving day, Elder Rasband spoke to missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.

During the special Thanksgiving devotional on Nov. 23, Elder Rasband reminded the missionaries that at a time when their peers “may be focused on the next concert, football game, test, job, or a favorite meme or selfie,” they have “chosen to turn their life over to God” and they trust He will make more of their next 18 or 24 months than they can.

Read the full article here.

6. Elder Gary E. Stevenson on the Okinawa Japan Temple — a symbol of peace in a land once defined by war

Elder Gary E. Stevenson reflects on the Okinawa Japan Temple on the Church News podcast on Nov. 21, 2023.

Screenshot from YouTube

Earlier this month, Elder Stevenson dedicated the Okinawa Japan Temple, the fourth temple in Japan for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Stevenson has a rich history in Japan, where he served as a young missionary and later returned as a businessman, mission president and area president. He joins the Church News podcast to talk about his love for Japan’s people and culture and the rich blessings a new house of the Lord brings to these temple-loving people. 

Listen Church News podcast episode 163 with Elder Stevenson and see the transcript here.

Watch the video “Blessings of the Temple.”

7. Elder Soares testifies to youth of Savior in special devotional

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks from the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City to youth in Brazil during a devotional on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023.

Bruno Lima, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Full of energy and love for the youth of Brazil, Elder Soares testified of the Savior and His Atonement as the central part of the plan of salvation as he joined a youth nationwide devotional on Friday, Nov. 17.

The evening event originated from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and the member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles joined remotely from the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City.

Read the full article here.

8. President Freeman and Sister Dennis testify of Jesus Christ through West Africa ministry; President Johnson and President Porter promote nutrition in the Philippines

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson, right, and Primary General President Susan H. Porter, left, visit Rise and Rebuild Foundation, an organization committed to aiding the poor and the malnourished in the Philippines on Nov. 13, 2023.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

While in the Philippines in November, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson and Primary General President Susan H. Porter shared the efforts of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to strengthen individuals and families and to bring them closer to the Savior.

Throughout their 10-day ministry in the Church’s Africa West Area, Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman and Sister J. Anette Dennis, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, expressed their love to youth, young single adults, women, missionaries and more.

Read the full article about President Johnson and President Porter’s ministry in the Philippines here.

Read the full article about President Freeman and Sister Dennis’ ministry to Africa here.

9. 2023 Light the World Christmas initiative invites all to ‘Let Your Light Shine’ plus see locations, dates for Giving Machines in 2023

Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson, left, and Primary General President Susan H. Porter, right, prepare unveil a Giving Machine at Ayala Center Cebu in Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

Philippines Area Facebook

President Nelson said the world needs the light of Jesus Christ more than ever this Christmas. This year’s theme for Light the World is “Let Your Light Shine.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released the dates and locations for the Light the World Giving Machines for 2023. The red vending machines allow people to buy something for someone else in need through partnering local, national and international charity organizations, with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints covering all operating costs.

Read the full article about the Light the World theme here.

Read the full article about Giving Machine locations here.