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Brother Chad H Webb, First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, invited youth, young single adults, and parents to draw closer to Jesus Christ through what he described as a “virtual walk on the path Jesus trod.” He shared the message during a devotional held on Saturday evening, March 21, 2026, in Kumamoto, Japan. Through a guided journey through the Holy Land, Brother Webb testified of the Savior’s life, ministry, Atonement, and Resurrection, emphasizing that Jesus Christ lives and continues to extend mercy, healing, and hope to all who come unto Him.
Brother Webb opened by inviting the audience to imagine traveling to Jerusalem and the Holy Land to celebrate Easter. Using this simple but engaging invitation, he transitioned into a guided spiritual journey that would allow everyone to walk, in a symbolic way, the path the Savior once trod—learning about the places where Jesus walked, taught, and performed miracles—bearing witness of His unique purpose and divine role. Brother Webb provided both historical and spiritual context and clarity about the relationship that each location had with the Savior’s life and ministry.
He reflected on the thoughts and spiritual insights that accompanied this journey for him and his wife. He spoke of feeling the pain of exclusion and rejection, beginning with there being no room in the inn. He envisioned, nonetheless, the visits of the angels, shepherds, and wise men associated with Christ’s birth.
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Other spiritually powerful elements of the path of the Savior included the Sermon on the Mount. Brother Webb said that the Savior’s teaching that “blessed are the meek” and “blessed are the peacemakers,” turned his thoughts to the saints in Japan because they are the light of the world. He remarked that while the Saints in Japan are “few in number,” they are a light because of their faith—like the Savior’s apostles—all called to be disciples and witnesses of the Lord.
Brother Webb highlighted the priesthood bestowed upon Christ’s apostles. He noted Peter’s brief but instructional walk on the water, and the possible “return to the boat together with the Savior.” He also referenced the miracles in Capernaum, the raising of Lazarus, the affirmation of His identity by His apostles, the place where He taught the principle and foundational power of revelation, and the events upon the Mount of Transfiguration.
He spoke of the calling of the apostles and miracles associated with them, including the draught of fishes resulting from casting the net on the other side of the boat, as the Savior instructed. Brother Webb expressed his view that the call of Matthew, the publican was another amazing miracle.
As he moved into the final days of the Savior’s life, Brother Webb noted the compassion and mercy shown in two paintings. One depicts Peter’s denial of the Savior. The other focuses on the tender scene when Peter is directed by the resurrected Savior to “feed my sheep.” He also pointed out the deep irony of the hastening of the Savior’s death by crucifixion to avoid violating “His” Sabbath day.
Brother Webb then shared a sacred personal moment with friends who had recently lost a child. The inscription on the placard on the door that closes off the tomb after visiting hours gave deep substance and power to their understanding of the Resurrection. It does the same for all: “He is not here, for He is risen.”
Finally, Brother Webb shared a separate story of a U.S. soldier’s near-death experience in Iran that left him with crippling and severe claustrophobia. After a third arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol, the man was sentenced to spend a night in jail. Fearing the severe, panic-inducing claustrophobia that sentence would bring, he pled with all of his might to avoid it. Although the judge had no choice but to enforce the law, he also chose to spend the night in the jail cell with the man. Brother Webb taught that both mercy and judgment are essential to the messages of the Resurrection and Atonement of the Savior.
Sister Kristi Webb also shared her message prior to Brother Webb’s remarks. Sister Webb, with warmth and sincerity in her voice and tone, thanked the saints for their lives of faith. She assured them, “I feel God’s love for you.” Referring to her physical scriptures, which she described as “worn and well-marked,” she shared insights from Doctrine and Covenants section 109. She testified of the Savior as a God of mercy who keeps His covenants and continually invites His children to come unto Him for protection and life.
She also referenced 3 Nephi chapter 10, where the resurrected Savior pleads, “How oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings.” Sister Webb testified that the Savior never ceases to gather, protect, heal, strengthen, and offer His personal love and mercy, and that He does so for all.
Elder J. Kimo Esplin, Asia North Area President, followed Brother Webb and Sister Webb. He also tied his message directly to the Easter themes shared earlier in the evening. He focused on the difference between the gift of forgiveness and the principle of mercy, testifying that both are gifts made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and are available to all who choose to receive them.
Together, the messages shared during the devotional affirmed the central theme of the evening - that Jesus Christ lives, that His mercy is real, and that all are invited to walk His path with faith and hope.