Elder Gilbert Invites Young Adults Across Europe North to Anchor Their Lives in Jesus Christ and Trust the Lord's Timing

In a devotional for Young Single Adult (YSA) members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles invited young adults across the Europe North Area to anchor their lives in Jesus Christ and to trust the Lord's timing, even amid uncertainty.

The devotional was held on Saturday 12 September 2026, at the Gubbängen Meetinghouse in Stockholm. Young single adult members and friends from the Stockholm Stakes attended in person, while YSA members and friends throughout the area joined by broadcast. Elder Gilbert was accompanied by his wife, Sister Christine C. Gilbert. President Kevin W. Pearson, Area President for the Europe North Area, also spoke. 

Maintaining the Companionship of the Holy Ghost 

Opening the devotional, President Pearson reflected on his own path from young adulthood to a lifetime of covenant keeping and urged young adults to safeguard their connection to the Spirit above all else. 

"I plead with you that you will do all that you can to maintain the companionship of the gift of the Holy Ghost in your life," President Pearson said, adding his witness that following the living prophet keeps the Lord's children on "a safe course that will lead us to happiness."

Holding on in Faith and Patience 

Elder Gilbert shared a memory of watching a movie with his daughter, who turned to him and said, "Dad, you told me the good guys are going to win in the end. That better be the case." 

"I want you to know as young adults, the good guys and girls are going to win in the end," Elder Gilbert told those gathered. "But you're going to have to hold on and be a little patient." 

He taught that living prophets of God have promised young adults that if they build their foundation on Jesus Christ, they will find relief from their anxieties and the confidence to look forward into the future. 

Alice, from Uppsala, Sweden, said the message resonated with the realities of being a young adult in the Church today. 

"I really loved how Elder Gilbert talked about building our foundation on Jesus Christ and trusting in Him so we can have peace now," Alice said. "We live in a world where it can be stressful to be a youth in the Church, but having an eternal perspective can help." 

Patience and trusting the Lord's timing 

Elder Gilbert acknowledged that the path of faith is rarely instant and that young adults will need to be patient even when answers are not yet clear. 

"You're going to have to hold on when times are a little difficult and all the answers aren't clear," he said, "You're going to have to trust the Lord and bring the Saviour into your life." 

He testified that anchoring one's life in Jesus Christ opens the way to true joy. "If you will anchor your life in Jesus Christ, you have the opportunity to have his joy, and you will feel that, and it will change your life forever," Elder Gilbert said. 

Samuel, from Handen, Sweden, said he came hoping to hear counsel that would ease his own worries. 

"I must say the way he spoke about patience — to wait a little longer — it's not the answer I would like," Samuel said, "But I love that he finished with: ‘no matter the worry or the problem, Jesus Christ is always the answer and you can get peace now, right now, right here.’ That message really got through to me tonight." 

Erik, from Uppsala, Sweden, who is being baptised next week, said the combined witnesses of President Pearson, Elder Gilbert and Sister Gilbert strengthened his testimony. 

"A few of the major takeaways I got from this are the witnesses from President Pearson, Elder Gilbert and Sister Gilbert about the hand of the Lord, and how patience is a critical part of building a foundation on Christ," Erik said. "God's word is true. We need to have patience, as Elder Gilbert said: 'The good guys will win in the end.'" 

Staying anchored to Christ in dating and family life 

Sister Gilbert spoke of the peace she and her family have found in the Saviour amid overwhelming challenges. "That peace, the peace of the Saviour, Jesus Christ, is what has helped us to go forward with faith and to know that we don't go alone," she said. "The Lord is with us, and he will help us." 

Sister Gilbert shared a message on the importance of family, quoting President Dallin H. Oaks, who taught that "the family circle is the ideal place to demonstrate and learn eternal values such as the importance of marriage and children, the purpose of life and the true source of joy." 

Drawing on counsel from Sister Kristen Oaks, Sister Gilbert encouraged young adults to keep moving forward even when dating and marriage don't unfold as planned: "If your faith in dating and marriage is being tested and you find yourselves waiting, stop waiting and start preparing. Trust in the Lord and happiness will come." 

"I promise that there is joy in this journey and that Heavenly Father doesn't ever give up on us," Sister Gilbert said. "He is in relentless pursuit of each and every one of you." 

Tiago, from Amial, Portugal, said he was struck by how Elder and Sister Gilbert pointed young adults back to the words of the living prophet. 

"I found it interesting that Elder Gilbert and his wife once again testified of the prophet's words," Tiago said, "which reminded me that what the prophet says is truly what Christ would say to us." 

Closing testimony 

The devotional concluded with an invitation for young single adults to remain anchored in Jesus Christ, to be patient in the Lord's timing, and to trust that His peace is available to them now. 

"I know he loves you. I know he lives," Elder Gilbert testified. "He is available for you tonight as you kneel down before you go to bed. Pray in the name of Jesus Christ to have his light in your life, and I promise you a quickening and a joy and a peace that comes only in and through our Saviour, Jesus Christ."