Conference edifies Korean youth
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YEOSU, KOREA
More than 1,100 youth ages 14-18 from across Korea attended a special multistake youth conference held July 26-31 at the Chonnam National University campus in the southern ocean resort of Yeosu.
Together with more than 100 advisers, consisting mainly of recently returned missionaries, the youth participated in learning and recreational activities that became experiences not soon to be forgotten.
Divided on their first day into groups with their advisers, the youth began to match faces with the names that had been provided before they arrived.
That night, each group met for family home evening. The conference theme song — "Be Strong and Courageous" — was sung under the direction of Brother TaeGul Jeong, conference chairman.
He quoted Joshua 1:9, the 2010 Mutual theme as well as the conference theme: "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
The youth divided into groups for fun activities. The awkwardness of meeting new people was overcome through various games and activities that sparked friendships among the newly acquainted.
On the second day, the youth had gospel study groups in the morning to prepare them for the day's programs. Individual youth groups combined into larger groups and rotated through a schedule of discussions. They focused on how to succeed in life, the future and vision of a Latter-day Saint, and choices and learning.
GyungMin Kwon from the Uijeongbu Ward said, "Even though the lessons are about spiritual stuff, it is fun and I am learning a lot."
After the lessons, the youth attended a dance in the evening, packing the gym. Despite the narrow, jammed conditions, the young people had smiles on their faces. Line dancing was especially popular with the youth and provided a wholesome, fun alternative to the suggestive dances popular in the outside world.
Elder Koichi Aoyagi of the Seventy and a member of the Asia North Area presidency and his wife, Sister Shiroko Momose Aoyagi, led a devotional the morning of the third day. They told stories of real people who showed how the love and power of Christ works in the repentance process and why it is important to overcome sins and forgive others.
Then, the Hanaro Choir sang. It consists of the nine "rowdy boys" that Elder YoonHwan Choi of the Seventy spoke about in the October 2009 general conference. As youth, they had lived in Elder Choi's stake, and he helped nurture them so that eventually they went on missions and married in the temple. Their songs, stories about their conversion and personal missionary experiences seemed to impress the listening young people.
The third day centered around a competition to create a flag and slogan to represent each individual group. Spread out across the gym and onto the soccer field, the youth did their best in various creative ways to make their flag and slogan outstanding. Shouting and laughter could be heard throughout the area.
Day four focused on the programs "Duty to God" for young men and "Personal Progress" for young women. There was also a variety show.
The evening featured a fireside with music and testimonies. A choir of 127 youth performed a medley and narration of the hymns "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" and "I Am a Child of God."
The youth had an opportunity to bear their testimonies following their leaders. Many young people stood in long lines to bear testimonies. One youth reported that the hours of testimonies were but a few minutes to those in attendance.
Elder Choi, a member of the area presidency, and his wife, Sister Bon Kyung Koo Choi, shared a spiritual message at the devotional the morning of the last day. They expressed their gratitude for Christ's love and His blessings.
During the afternoon, the youth packed 100 boxes of food and other living necessities, together with school supplies, to be given to poor families in the city of KwangJu. The boxes were presented to a KwangJu city official in a brief ceremony. A copy of the Book of Mormon and Gospel messages with testimonies written by the youth were included in the boxes.
To share the spirit of the conference with others, the youth met with their families and friends in a meeting on the Sunday a week following the conference. In three locations — Seoul, Taejon and Pusan, the youth expressed their thanks and testimonies to their families and leaders for this life-fortifying event.
One youth promised, "I will always remain true to my covenants and try to be courageous and strong like Joshua."
