European Young Adults Celebrate Faith and Friendship at Landmark Conference

DOWNLOAD

Around 1,500 young adults from 24 countries gathered in Lancashire, England, for the inaugural One-by-One Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the largest event of its kind for young adults in Europe.

Over three days, participants took part in service projects, devotionals and seminars, temple worship, sports and team activities, and opportunities to build lasting friendships with fellow young adults from across Europe. The landmark conference featured two special devotionals with Elder Clark G. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Hosted at the site of the Preston England Temple and at the home of Burnley Football Club, the theme of this year’s conference, One-by-One, reflects a broader focus in the Europe North Area on personal discipleship, preparing to receive sacred temple ordinances, and helping others progress along the covenant path. It also emphasises seeing each individual as a beloved child of God, with unique worth and divine potential—an emphasis that was evident throughout the weekend.

DOWNLOAD

Beginning with a Focus on the Temple

A highlight for many attendees was the opportunity to worship together at the Preston England Temple in Chorley. For young adults who had travelled from 24 countries, gathering at the Temple provided a reminder of the faith that unites them despite their different cultures, languages and backgrounds.

“There was something really powerful about being in the Temple together,” said Conor Hughes, a young adult from Chorley, England. He added: “Despite our different cultures and backgrounds, it felt like we were all part of one family with the same goals. I was reminded that we are all loved by God equally.”

For Kai Corre, from Bedford, the experience of worshipping together at the beginning of the conference helped set a tone and establish a spirit of unity that continued throughout the weekend.

“The reverence of the Temple and the close relationships we were able to form there definitely carried into Saturday’s activities and throughout the rest of the conference,” he said.

DOWNLOAD

United in Faith and Service

On Saturday, young adults gathered at the home of Burnley FC, one of Englands most iconic football clubs. Throughout the day, participants worked side-by-side in service projects supporting local charities, took part in team activities, and gathered for a devotional with Elder Clark G. Gilbert.

Working in teams across the stadium, participants prepared food parcels for Burnley Football Club in the Community's food bank and assembled more than 1,500 hygiene kits for Lancashire Women and Safenet. These organisations provide practical support to individuals and families facing hardship, including women and children affected by domestic abuse. 

DOWNLOAD

For Rose, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, the service project highlighted how quickly meaningful friendships can be formed when people come together to support those in need.

“It's amazing that you can come together with people you don't know and quickly build such strong connections because you're serving other people,” she said. “We had about ten people in our group and I only knew a few of them, but by the end it felt completely different.”

She added: “It's so amazing to be in one place with people from so many different countries, all working together for the same purpose.”

Following the service project, the young adults took to the playing field at Burnley Football Club. Normally home to world class footballers, the stadium hosted an afternoon of team-building activities, sports and friendly competition. From roller skating to soft axe throwing, young adults embraced the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, meet new people and strengthen friendships formed throughout the weekend.

Madeline, a young adult from London, commented: “Although I’m not normally a big convention-goer, this was a cracking day out. There’s a hum of energy that comes from being in a stadium full of people like you. I got to catch up with so many old friends from different stages of my life, and I met new people from everywhere from Galway to Peru… Helping others, connecting as a community, and partying to early-2000s music is the essence of being a Latter-day Saint!”

For many attendees, one of the most memorable aspects of the conference was seeing the scale of the gathering and meeting other young adults who shared their faith and values. Isabella from Limerick, Ireland, said: “It’s awesome, I did not expect this many people! It’s great to be here with this many people and to know that there are so many people my age who share the same standards as me is amazing!”

‘Remember your Divine Identity,’ encourages Elder Gilbert

Elder Clark G. Gilbert, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, joined the young adults at Burnley Football Club on Saturday evening. Inviting several of the Young Adult conference organisers and participants to reflect on their experiences, he highlighted the spirit of unity, service and belonging that had characterised the gathering.

Drawing on counsel previously shared by President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Gilbert encouraged attendees to remember their eternal identity and the role it plays in shaping life's most important choices.

“What brings us all together is everyone here, every single person here, is a child of God,” he said. “Every single person here has the opportunity to be a child of the covenant, and every one of us can strive to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

Reflecting on the sight of more than 1,500 young adults gathered from across Europe, Elder Gilbert noted that while participants came from different countries, cultures and backgrounds, they were united by a shared faith in Jesus Christ.

Speaking about President Nelson's address Choices for Eternity, he taught that understanding one's divine identity provides direction and purpose in life. “So many choices become easier if you know who you are,” he said.

He encouraged the young adults to remember that identities based on education, politics or personal interests may change over time, but that their identity as children of God, children of the covenant and disciples of Jesus Christ provides a lasting foundation.

As Elder Gilbert observed, “What brings us all together” was not where they came from, but the faith and values they shared.

Addressing the young adults, Alan Pace, Chairman of Burnley Football Club, thanked participants for their contribution to the local community and encouraged them to remain committed to their goals and faith throughout their lives.

“Please do everything that you possibly can to live your dreams,” he said. “Because things like this come from living those dreams.”

Drawing on an experience from his own youth, Pace compared life and discipleship to climbing a mountain: “As a kid, I learned that I loved climbing mountains. On the journey to the top, I would often stop because I wasn't sure I wanted to put in all the effort it would take to get there. Sometimes my leaders would encourage me to help me see that I still wanted to continue on that journey. You have a chance to listen to an Apostle of the Lord [this weekend], to encourage you to stay on that journey back to your Heavenly Father. Take that encouragement to heart. He means it. Your Father in Heaven wants every single one of you back with Him.”

One-by-One: Seeing the Worth of Every Child of God

A defining feature of the conference was the significant role young adults themselves played in planning and delivering the event. Dozens of volunteers gave countless hours to organise activities, coordinate logistics and create opportunities for others to connect, worship and serve.

“What has impressed me most is seeing young adults not only attend, but lead this conference,” said Elder Scott Spencer, an Area Seventy with responsibility for Young Adult conferences in the Europe North Area. “Dozens of young adults volunteered countless hours to plan, organise and deliver this event, creating an experience that has strengthened faith, built friendships and helped others feel that they belong.”

He added: “I believe many will leave with a greater confidence in their relationship with Jesus Christ and in their ability to bless the lives of others.”

Sister Emma Wade, Area Organisation Adviser in the Europe North Area, said one of the most powerful aspects of the conference was seeing young adults from different nations and backgrounds unite in faith.

“They have worshipped together, served together and formed friendships across national, cultural and language boundaries,” she said. “The experience has shown that faith in Jesus Christ has the power to unite people and create lasting positive influence in their lives.”

Elder Alan Phillips of the Europe North Area Presidency said the YSA are the future of the Church in Europe. "Having served with them in FSY for years, I've seen it firsthand. They lead, teach, serve, and mentor in ways we haven't witnessed before. Many have served missions and are ready to help lead the Church today."

“We urge ward and stake leaders to recognise their potential. If you could see what we've seen this weekend, you'd place every YSA on the front line of this great work. We need them in Bishoprics, Relief Society Presidencies, and Stake Councils."

Reflecting on the conference, Elder Phillips said: "What we have witnessed this weekend is a remarkable generation of young adults choosing faith, service and discipleship. The friendships formed, the service offered and the spiritual experiences shared will continue long after the conference has ended. We hope these young adults return home strengthened in their commitment to Jesus Christ and inspired to bless their families, congregations and communities: one by one."

From the Preston England Temple to Burnley Football Club, the conference reflected its central theme, One-by-One: that every person is a beloved child of God with divine potential, and that lasting change often begins through individual acts of faith, service and friendship.