For much of their lives, the youth of the Church in the former republics of Yugoslavia have suffered because of hate and the brutality of war between their countries.

But during the four-day Youth and Young Single Adult Conference held here July 23-26, they disregarded the borders that separated them and joined together in a common love of the gospel."This conference was really a great experience," said Pres. John A. Wondra, president of the Austria Vienna South Mission which includes the countries of the Balkans.

"A large Austrian newspaper heard of the conference and couldn't believe that Croatians, Serbians, Bosnians and Slovenians would meet together with the theme: `Love One Another.' "

"I felt so much love here," said a young woman, Irena Matinovic. "Next Sunday, I will go to Sarajevo to meet my father, and again, I will see so many signs of hate.

"Why is there so much love here, and so little in my country? The gospel of Jesus Christ makes all the difference," she said during the testimony meeting. "Wherever we may live and whatever language we may speak, we are citizens of one country."

During all the activities of this conference, said Pres. Wondra, "We felt a wonderful spirit of `radost' [joy] and friendship. When the Serbians had to leave at the end of the conference, the Croatians accompanied them to the bus station to bid farewell, embracing them and singing, `God Be with You Till We Meet Again.' "

The conference included 55 members from Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and refugees from Bosnia, all countries which were once republics of Yugoslavia.

"There are not too many members in Serbia, so it's great to be around people who believe the same as we do," said Irena Maric. She was among the first to arrive at the conference following a 15-hour bus ride. Other groups arrived throughout that first day.

Events included a slide show by Alfred and Elizabeth Pietsch, who walked the entire distance of the Pioneer re-enactment trek during the sesquicentennial celebrations last year; a service project; a treasure hunt to learn something of the history, culture and beauty of Ljubljana; a dance; swimming in the azure waters of the Mediterranean; a fireside and Sunday Church meetings.

It wasn't long before members from hostile countries were friends, said Sister Carol G. Bangerter, who with her husband, Ronald K., is serving a mission in Slovenia and helped organize the conference.

"It was obvious that they were enjoying themselves because of the big smiles on their faces," she said, describing how the young men dug footings for a retaining wall while the young women pulled weeds and cleaned flower beds during a service project at a center for people who are hearing impaired.

The crowning moment, said Sister Bangerter, came during the Sunday morning testimony meeting. "Many tears were shed as young men and women bore their testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel, and what it has done for them, and the love they felt for each other.

"The nationality of their new friends did not matter," she said. "They knew they were children of God."

Sister Bangerter told how one young man from Serbia said that because of the many atrocities he had seen in his country, he was grateful for the Church and the possibilities it gives to change lives. She said he talked of miracles in his country, like when members rallied to help each other and sustain the Church when the missionaries had to leave the country three years ago due to war. Since the missionaries have returned, he said, 20 new members have joined the Church in the past four months.

Many of the youth, like Sladjan Mihajlovic, a young man from Serbia, repeatedly voiced their appreciation for the conference.

"There is a special spirit of friendship between all youth who participated. [It was] a great opportunity to be together. We are a small branch and not very often together. I am thankful for this opportunity," he said.

"A miracle happened here," said Cveto Tovornik, a young man from Slovenia who was not a member during the conference but was baptized a week later. "We can live together, and as time goes on, we will be better friends. Faith is overcoming evil."

Reflecting on the conference, Pres. Wondra felt the influence of a blessing pronounced on the countries of former Yugoslavia by President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency in 1985.

"The youth of Yugoslavia, these people of great promise, [are indeed forming] the foundation of the future generations of the Church in this land," he said.