Singapore Youth Find Pen Pals Around the World

By Stacy Torfin, Singapore Stake Young Women’s President

“Those whose goal it is to follow the Savior straightway not only look for answers to their own problems, but also help others find solutions to life’s difficulties. They open their hearts and minds to those who are troubled, ignored, or weary. Just by listening empathetically, we often can help others find their own solutions. Do not doubt your abilities. Do not delay your worthy impressions. With God’s help, you cannot fail. He will give you the courage to participate in meaningful change and purposeful living.”

MARVIN J. ASHTON Straightway (General Conference April 1983)

On March 15, 2014 the young men and young women of the Singapore Stake meet to laugh, play, and get to know one another a little better. But that was not all. As you know with each activity in the church we need to have a purpose. Well our purpose that night was to lift someone else. But in so doing we were lifted ourselves.

We were so happy to see every ward represented at this activity! We divided into groups and rotated through games like Table Topics, Apples to Apples, Pictionary, get to know you Bingo, and the making of a video. This video was our highlight! We are becoming “social media pen pals” with YM/YW around the world. This gospel is for everyone no matter where you live. This world is getting busier and crazier and the youth of this church need to know that they are not alone. So we asked if our youth would be willing to answer a few questions and give their thoughts to other youth around the world. They agreed, and their answers astounded me.

Some of the questions we asked were:

• Why do you take the time to go to church, seminary, mutual or stake activities?

• How hard is it to find the time to do it?

• What blessings have you seen because of it?

• What words of encouragement can you give to someone else who is struggling with choosing between the Lord and “the world” and it’s ideas?

The testimonies of the youth in Singapore are firm and strong. Not that they do not face challenges or difficulties or have struggles but as they testified of the blessings that have come to them from putting the Lord first they were strengthened in the truthfulness of their own words. Now, as we share these videos with our new friends in Doha, Bahrain, Shanghai, Arizona, Utah, Japan, Idaho, Philippines and Virginia we can all learn and grow together as we choose to “Come Unto Christ”.