Elder Bednar Invites Korean Saints to Look Unto Christ and Move Forward in Faith

(한국어 링크)

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout Korea gathered for two inspiring meetings with Elder Bednar during his August 2026 ministry visit to the country. A youth and young single adult devotional on Saturday evening, August 22, was followed by a nationwide conference on Sunday, August 23, originating from Gangnam in Seoul and broadcast to congregations across Korea.

During both meetings, Elder Bednar centered his message on Jesus Christ, personal revelation, covenant discipleship, and the blessings that come when individuals act in faith and trust the Lord to guide their lives.

Learning Through Questions and Revelation

Rather than delivering prepared addresses at the youth and young single adult devotional, Elder Bednar invited participants to ask questions, creating an atmosphere of gospel learning and spiritual discovery. He encouraged those in attendance to participate with faith, reminding them that the most important teacher that evening would be the Holy Ghost.

The questions reflected many of the real concerns facing young adults today: missionary service, repentance, forgiveness, prayer, church activity, and preparing for marriage. As fellow leaders and their wives shared experiences and testimony, Elder Bednar repeatedly returned to a simple but powerful truth: discipleship begins with turning outward toward God and others rather than inward toward self.

Speaking about service in the Church, he taught that individuals rarely become spiritually exhausted when they focus on ministering to people instead of merely managing programs. Likewise, when discussing repentance, he testified of the Savior's power to help individuals move beyond guilt and find renewed hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

One of the evening's recurring themes was action. Elder Bednar emphasized that faith is not passive. Rather than waiting for certainty before moving forward, disciples act, trust the Lord, and allow Him to direct their path.

"Go ye," he repeated, inviting the youth to move forward with confidence, trusting that God can guide those who are willing to act.

The devotional concluded with Elder Bednar's witness that God knows and loves His children individually. He encouraged the youth to look to the Savior in every thought, reminding them that as they trust Him, they need not be overcome by fear or doubt.

A Historic Gathering for Korean Saints

The following day, members throughout Korea participated in a nationwide conference that Elder Bednar described as a historic gathering. Congregations across the country joined together through technology, but more importantly through shared faith and the influence of the Holy Ghost.

Before beginning his remarks, Elder Bednar expressed deep appreciation for the conference choir's rendition of Gethsemane. Reflecting on a previous experience ministering to members affected by a tragic chapel shooting and fire in the United States, he recalled hearing those Saints sing the same hymn and described the profound impact it had on him.

In Korea, he said the choir's performance was more than beautiful music, describing it as "soul-stirring" and spiritually moving. The message of the Savior's suffering, love, and redeeming sacrifice set a reverent and uplifting tone for the conference and reinforced one of the central themes of the day: that strength, peace, and hope are found through Jesus Christ.

Church leaders and their wives addressed a common theme throughout the meeting: strengthening faith in Jesus Christ through personal gospel study, family discipleship, and keeping sacred covenants. Speakers shared experiences from their own lives illustrating that the blessings of the gospel often come as people act in faith even when the future is uncertain.

In his opening message, Elder Bednar urged members to develop a deeper personal relationship with the Savior and become spiritually self-reliant.

He taught that Church meetings alone cannot provide all the spiritual nourishment needed in today's world. Rather, each member has a personal responsibility to learn, live, and love the doctrine of Christ through scripture study, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

He drew upon Joseph Smith's declaration following the First Vision, emphasizing the importance of coming to know gospel truths for oneself.

Throughout the conference, speakers testified of the strength that comes from family prayer, scripture study, temple worship, missionary service, and following prophetic counsel. Many expressed gratitude for the remarkable faith of Korean Saints, including young people who faithfully participate in seminary and members who make significant sacrifices to worship in the temple and serve in the Lord's kingdom.

Becoming Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ

In his concluding message, Elder Bednar spoke of living in what President Gordon B. Hinckley once called "the greatest season in the history of the restored Church." Reflecting on the acceleration of the Lord's work around the world, he testified that members should see themselves not merely as participants in Church programs, but as lifelong disciples being transformed by the Savior's grace.

Elder Bednar taught that the purpose of the gospel is not simply to help people do good things, but to help them become more like Jesus Christ. Through faith, repentance, covenant keeping, and ministering to others, disciples gradually receive the strength to overcome the natural man and develop a Christlike heart.

Drawing on personal experiences, Elder Bednar shared examples of ordinary members whose instinctive concern for others during moments of personal hardship reflected years of faithful discipleship. Such experiences, he taught, demonstrate the power of the Savior to change not only behavior but also human nature.

As his visit concluded, Elder Bednar bore witness that Heavenly Father lives, that Jesus Christ is the living Son of God, and that the Restoration continues today. He expressed optimism and hope for the future, blessing the Saints of Korea that they would recognize more fully the blessings they have received through the gospel and become instruments in the Lord's hands to help others come unto Christ.

"There has never been more reason to be joyful," he testified. "There has never been more reason to be hopeful."