Elder Andersen Invites Young Adults in Asia to Participate in the Work of the Lord 

“We need you,” Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said to young adults of the Church in the Asia North Area during devotionals held in Japan and the Republic of Korea on May 22 and 27, 2022.  

“We need you, we need your strength, we need your goodness, we need your hearts,” Elder Andersen said. “The Lord wants the gospel to be in every community to be a light to others so that those who truly seek the restored gospel can find it.” He encouraged everyone to be firm and true disciples of Jesus Christ to their friends and family.  

Two devotionals were held as part of Elder Andersen’s 10-day ministry visit to Japan and Korea. Elder Andersen was joined by his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, and their visit was the first from an Apostle since the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Japan Devotional 

On Sunday, May 22, more than 280 young adults gathered in the chapel of the Tokyo Temple Annex building in Tokyo, and approximately 500 others joined virtually from other locations in Japan to listen to Elder and Sister Andersen. The couple were accompanied by Elder Takashi Wada and Elder James R. Rasband of the Asia North Area Presidency and their wives, Sister Naomi Wada and Sister Mary Rasband. 

Elder Andersen began his talk by expressing his gratitude to the young men and women assembled for the devotional. “We need you,” he said.  

He invited everyone to be firm and true disciples of Jesus Christ to their friends and family, and to share their beliefs by courageously stating, “I believe in Christ.” He stressed the importance of full-time missionary service, saying, “We need you for this special time.” 

Elder Andersen reminded everyone to read and embrace President Russell M. Nelson’s counsel in his recent devotional address to young adults. He concluded with his testimony: “The most important thing to say to you … I know that Jesus is the Christ.” 

Sister Andersen spoke about the deep impression this visit to Japan had made on her and Elder Andersen and how they would remember this visit for the rest of their lives. She testified of the importance of building strong foundations based on the chief cornerstone — Jesus Christ. She reminded everyone to be vigilant and heed President Nelson’s call to spiritually prepare for the last days. She ended by testifying of her husband’s divine calling as a special witness of Jesus Christ. 

South Korea Devotional 

On Friday, May 27, Elder and Sister Andersen met with young adults in Korea. Approximately 230 young single adults gathered in Sindang Ward chapel, and about 200 joined online from other parts of Korea. Elder James R. Rasband and his wife, Sister Mary Rasband, along with Elder Christopher Hyunsu Kim, an Area Seventy, and his wife, Sister Sungmi Hong, accompanied Elder and Sister Andersen. 

Elder Andersen candidly spoke to the young adults. He emphasized that priesthood authority is found only in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Referring to the spirit of the Korean people, he said, “We need you, we need your strength, we need your goodness, we need your hearts.” He talked of how the membership is growing and how the Savior’s charge to take the gospel to every part of the world is a heavy weight that rests upon the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “The Lord wants the gospel to be in every community to be a light to others so that those who truly seek the restored gospel can find it,” he said. He taught how missionary work can be done during our daily lives in a normal and natural way.  

Because the number of missionaries from Korea has declined during COVID, Elder Andersen urged the returned missionaries among the gathered young single adults to encourage the youth to start preparing for their own mission. He said, “No one will ever be sorry when they honestly serve the Lord. They will learn about spiritual things they never knew. They will receive answers to prayers and learn how to communicate with the Lord.”  

Elder Andersen concluded by encouraging young adults to be more open about their faith by the way they live so others can see how happy they are. “When others ask why you are so happy,” he said, “you can tell them it is because you believe in Jesus Christ.” This may open doors for further gospel sharing opportunities.  

Elder Andersen closed his comments by testifying, “Jesus is the Christ. He lives and is a resurrected being. I am His disciple; He is my Savior. You are His disciple, and He loves you.”  

Sister Andersen spoke about choices for eternity and urged the young single adults to own their own conversion. “No one else can do it for you,” she said. Quoting President Nelson, she continued, “I plead with you to take charge of your testimony. Work for it, own it, care for it, nurture it, feed it truth so it will grow.”