Local Pages
Creating a New Mindset, Becoming Leaders
When Brittany Henry, a 22-year-old Young Women advisor from Saint Lucia, decided to come on the young single adult trip to the Santo Domingo Temple, she had been pondering about her personal life: “I needed guidance,” she said.
“The temple would be an opportunity to be in a place stronger than our chapels.”
After her mission, Brittany wondered where her blessings were. Since she had come home from serving her mission in Barbados, she had elevated expectations and had found some roadblocks.
Wanting to get into school to study international relations with a law minor and having a vision about her own family, she was becoming impatient.
Looking at her surroundings and seeing people making their own choices based on poor finances, she had noticed how her friends were losing interest, giving up: “People were getting by, no hope.”
“Education is so important to me and having a family, too.”
This is not just the impression pressed in the heart of one young single adult in the Caribbean; many have the impression that limited options can narrow their expectations in life.
Many have found a higher meaning through overcoming the struggles that might set them on this mindset.
“Being here at the temple has been a wonderful experience,” shared Xian Harisprashad, an 18-year-old medical student-to-be and a first counselor in the elders quorum.
“I felt I needed to do this,” comments Xian. “There’s so much to learn, and it is such a big responsibility.”
Growing up in the Church, his dad not being a member and his mom being the only member at home, he has learned through the Church the importance of being a provider and fostering a relationship with his family.
Sitting with his peers creating a five-year plan has really helped, he said.
“We know the strength of the gospel, but as we go through daily struggles, the adversary often distracts us from the promises of the gospel,” says Elder Julio Cesar Acosta.
4 Nephi 1:24–26:
“And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.
“And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.
“And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.”
“It can happen to the strongest among us,” shared Elder Acosta. “None of us are exempt from the temptations of the world that cause the loss of faith. Unless we constantly feast upon the gospel, the words of our living prophet, attend sacrament meetings, and have faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we too will stray from the covenant path.”
“I’ve never had it easy,” says Dahvana Daneisha Shanika Providence from Saint Vincent.
After attending different schools due to constant changes in her earlier education and having health issues during her secondary education, she felt the need to achieve her dreams.
Having obtained second place on her first pageant, she decided to pursue her dreams in the textile world.
Being persistent in that dream has gotten Dahvana a scholarship in New York to study fashion after winning Miss Venus Model Caribbean 2018.
As we strive to be more like our Heavenly Father, we can be strengthened by seeking our identity in him. In Moses 1:1–4, Heavenly Father gives Moses his identity in Christ, says Elder Acosta:
“The words of God, which he spoke unto Moses at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain,
“And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.
“And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless?
“And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease.”
As Brother Eclar from Guadeloupe said, “We have to inspire leadership in the same way we have leadership. Talk to them as if they are leaders, lift them up.”
In the words of Elder Gamiette: “It is our vision that our young single adults generate great relationships to keep, great experiences at the temple, break the isolation, and stop being scattered. Allow them to be strengthen by developing ownership of the Church and the gospel.”