“You are the Future of the Church,” Apostle Tells Young Australian Church Members CANBERRA, Australia ― Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told 81 young Australian members of the Church that his grand-children were in their hands.
Speaking during a visit to the Parliament of Australia in the nation’s capital recently, Elder Holland encouraged the young people to be a light on a hill for others to see. Elder Holland, accompanied by Elder David S. Baxter and Elder Terence M. Vinson of the Seventy, was in Canberra visiting with senior government leaders, including Members of Parliament and Senators from the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship. The young single adults were also in Canberra to visit with government officials as part of an annual event bringing together young Latter-day Saints from across the country. Earlier in the day the young people participated in a mock debate about the pros and cons of a bill of rights for Australia. The debate was chaired by Mr. Harry Jenkins MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives. After a lively discussion, Mr Jenkins commended the young people for the standard of the debate and their knowledge of the issues. Elder Terence M. Vinson then presented Mr Jenkins with a ‘Standing for Something Award,’ in recognition of his service to Australia over many years. The award, in the form of a statuette likeness of Australian war hero John Simpson, is presented by Church representatives to Australians who make significant contributions to the nation. The youth also met in small groups with other leaders such as Members of Parliament and Senators where they asked questions about how they came to be involved in public service and what the young people could do to make meaningful contributions to their country. Latter-day Saints are encouraged by Church leaders to be law-abiding citizens and to participate in community service in ways that will improve the lives of others. |