YSA Conference

Brent was invited to be the opening speaker for the New York City Young Single Adult/Institute Conference on the events of 9/11 and its impact on members of the Church. The conference featured Elder Matthew Eyring and his wife Amy. Below is a description of the conference that appeared in Mormon Times:

Young single adults serve together at New York City conference
(by Jon Fowler)

Hundreds of young single adults traveled from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to Manhattan for the NYC Regional YSA/Institute Conference.

The theme for the event, held Sept. 11-13, was "Taking the Shield" and focused on using faith to quench "today's fiery darts."

The conference began with a meeting in memory of 9/11. Former New York City Stake President Brent J. Belnap then spoke about meeting with President Gordon B. Hinckley about the Manhattan Temple soon after 9/11.

"In times of trouble, brothers and sisters, our prophet looked to the temple," Belnap said. "I think that should be a lesson to us."

Elder Matthew Eyring of the Seventy and his wife spoke about living in the world today.

"Fear is a fiery dart Satan uses in our day," Sister Amy Eyring said. "Faith requires action but fear inhibits and discourages action. Let us choose to live our lives by faith, not fear, no matter the trials and tribulation we will have, by the Atonement of Christ."

Elder Eyring urged the young single adults to serve others.

"You may feel there will be time for important things later, but there is danger in delay," Elder Eyring said. "There is never any better time than today.

"Your decisions to serve unselfishly every day will save and bless thousands."

That next morning, more than 100 participants gathered in McCarren Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Wearing "Mormon Helping Hands" vests, they raked leaves, pulled weeds, gathered fallen tree branches and repaired dog run areas by piling up fresh mulch. A local reporter questioned yellow-vested YSA about the importance of service in their lives and being a young, religious adult.

Many residents also thanked the volunteers for their service.

That afternoon, Elder and Sister Eyring again addressed the conference. Sister Eyring challenged the YSA to ask themselves, "What condition is my shield of faith in?"

"We need to examine each element of our lives and focus on strengthening those areas that are weak," Elder Eyring said.

"I know that the Lord will bless you because of your faithfulness. I want you to know that Jesus Christ lives and he is the Savior of this world, and that even among all the hustle and bustle of the millions here, and billions in the world, I bear you my witness that he knows who you are, and he loves you."

Conference workshops addressed modern-day "fiery darts" such as workaholism, anger, profanity, loneliness, attacks on the family, dishonesty, pornography and doubt. The workshops were followed by a dinner and dance. The following day, sacrament and testimony meetings were held.

Mormon Times, 15 Sep 2009



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