Young Single Adults Meet in Young Dong

Young Single Adults from throughout Korea gathered recently in Young Dong to build friendships and faith and learn how to serve the Lord more faithfully. Young Dong lies about 250 kilometers south of Seoul in a remote country setting. Workshops, seminars, and other activities helped the members recognize that they are sons and daughters of God and that they belong to a church whose principles of truth do not change. They also learned how to use the gospel to influence others in positive ways.

The first Korean conference of this kind was held in 1976. About two hundred members, from the one district then in Korea, participated. This time, more than one thousand attended, from sixteen stakes and three districts. All three regional representatives participated. Elder Merrill J. Bateman, newly appointed President of the Asia North Area, presided and opened the conference with an address.

In his talk, Elder Bateman mentioned the visions of Isaiah and Nephi, who compared the growth of the kingdom of God to a tent. First one stake is secured, then another, until finally enough stakes have secured the tent for it to be raised, covering the entire world.

“I hope you young single adults understand your important roles in this mission,” Elder Bateman said. “All of Israel will literally be gathered together. … You Korean Saints have important roles in this gathering.”

The conference served to firm the resolve of many who attended. Said one thirty-year-old brother: “I have decided to go on a mission. I was not an active member, but hereafter I will ask the bishop to give me a position in the Church which will help me perform an active role.” Another member, a sister, said, “I didn’t realize that we are such a large group and can influence our wards, neighbors, communities, and country in good ways through the gospel, if we unite.”