I was still very young when I began searching for the purpose of life. That search began after my mother passed away. I carried questions that felt heavier than my age—is death the end, or is there more?
I was led to the Church at the age of 13 and was baptized a year later, after sincere prayer brought answers to my soul‑searching questions and confirmed to me the truthfulness of the Church and the reality of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This sacred, personal witness has been cherished as my own “Sacred Grove” experience, the foundation of my testimony.[1]
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that we receive strength through our faith in Christ.[2] Growing up without much in the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ became my strength, my identity, and my purpose, and I came to know that I lacked nothing. Looking back, I see how those early spiritual experiences became part of the foundation of my faith, preparing me for greater trust, responsibility, and the promised blessings that come from taking part in His great work. I see that same quiet strength appearing again and again in the lives of our valiant youth. Though their circumstances may vary, their strength is rooted in the same source—our Savior Jesus Christ.
“You are truly among Heavenly Father’s choice spirits, sent to earth at this time to do important things.”
For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022), 2.
Strength Rooted in Faith, Wherever Planted
Bashala “Bobby” Kasendo and his three siblings are a powerful example of strength rooted in faith in Jesus Christ. They moved to Thailand from the Congo when they were young. “Our faith in Jesus Christ must be more than something we inherit. It must be something we gain for ourselves,” said Bobby. Faithful, dependable, and grounded in Christ, all four Kasendo siblings have become beloved youth and friends in the Church community in Thailand.
Bobby reflected that “living the gospel where few around us share our beliefs has deepened our relationship with Jesus Christ,” adding that prayer became more than a routine—it became a lifeline. He also shared that living among Buddhist neighbors has taught his family humility, patience, and respect for all of God’s children. “No matter where we live,” Bobby explained, “Heavenly Father is mindful of us, and by faithfully choosing His path, we can be instruments in His hands, bringing light and love to the world around us.”
The siblings exemplify this through their lives. Veronica served her mission in Liberia; Bobby has recently returned from his mission in Brazil; Elizabeth is currently serving in Ghana; and Bona continues to strengthen his faith in Thailand.
Their lives reflect how the rising generation is living out the Lord’s purposes. As Bobby expressed, “Being part of the rising generation means knowing that we are children of Heavenly Father, prepared for this time to help build His kingdom.”
Strength Born of Conversion
Two siblings in Phuket, Thailand, demonstrate how the strength of the rising generation is often shaped through conversion. Bpinyada and her younger brother, Punnawich Sanguanpongsanukool, were baptized a little over a year ago. Soon after, their devoted mother, Butharika, joined them. Their faith grew through loss, including the passing of their father, yet they found comfort in the truth that families can be together forever. Bpinyada explained, “As we learned the gospel, we felt peace and safety in having Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as our refuge”—a testimony that echoes my own early experience with the Church.
Serving in Primary, Bpinyada shared how she and her mother, Buntharika—who serves in the Relief Society—find purpose in contributing to their small but diverse branch in Phuket. “Through consistent participation in Church activities, teaching young children in Primary, and striving to live the teachings of Jesus Christ, I have felt grateful to contribute and help strengthen the branch,” she explained.
To her, being part of “a strong rising generation means choosing, with a full heart, to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ—even in a world filled with many temptations.” It also means living with the desire “to be a light to those around us through service and by helping bring joy to others, just as Jesus Christ is a light to all of Heavenly Father’s children.”
Church leaders have declared: “You are truly among Heavenly Father’s choice spirits, sent to earth at this time to do important things.”[3] This feels deeply personal to me. As I reflect on these remarkable young people, I sense the Lord’s deep trust in the strength of the rising generation—a strength that grows through faith in Jesus Christ.
[1] See Kevin G. Brown, “The Eternal Gift of Testimony,” Liahona, Nov. 2025, 36–38.
[2] See Quentin L. Cook, “Foundations of Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May. 2017,127–32; see also Alma 14:26.
[3] For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022), 2.