“When We Walk with the Lord, We Can Do More”: President and Sister Farnes Share Messages with Youth at FSY in Fukushima and Osaka

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For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences were held in Fukushima and Osaka, where President Timothy L. Farnes, Young Men General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Linsey Farnes, shared messages of encouragement and testimony with participating youth.

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Since being sustained as Young Men General President in 2025, President and Sister Farnes have traveled throughout the world and met with thousands of young people. Opening their remarks, Sister Farnes said, “We want you to know how amazing you are,” emphasizing that each youth is a beloved son or daughter of God.

Drawing from Moses 1:39, Sister Farnes taught about Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. She testified that because Jesus Christ experienced every sorrow, challenge, and hardship people face, He can perfectly understand and help each of us.

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She then shared an experience from the time their family was serving in São Paulo, Brazil, where President Farnes was mission president. One of their daughters struggled with feelings of loneliness as she adjusted to a new language and culture and faced challenges at school. During that difficult period, she continually turned to the Book of Mormon, often saying that she felt peace while reading the words of Christ. Over the course of six months, she read the Book of Mormon twelve times and developed a deep relationship with the Savior.

Later, during a sacrament meeting, President Farnes encouraged her to bear her testimony of Jesus Christ. After the meeting, a young man who had been investigating the Church said, “I want to have the same experience she had.” He was later baptized.

“The circumstances themselves did not change,” Sister Farnes explained. “She changed through Jesus Christ.” She testified that a relationship with the Savior brings strength and peace to life.

President Farnes then spoke about Peter’s experience in the New Testament. Peter courageously stepped out onto the water and walked toward the Lord, but when he focused on the wind and waves, he became afraid and began to sink. When he cried out for help, the Savior immediately reached out His hand. “You will have similar experiences in your lives,” President Farnes said. “FSY itself does not change your life. Jesus Christ changes you.” He invited the youth to focus not on their fears but on walking with the Lord. He emphasized that “the Savior is our joy” and encouraged them to remember always that they are sons and daughters of God.

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President Farnes then introduced two simple equations:

Me + More = Christ
Me + Christ = More

He asked the youth to consider the difference between them. Rather than trying to become better through their own efforts alone, he taught that people can accomplish more when they are connected to Christ and walk with Him. He also explained that repentance is not simply changing behavior, but turning one’s heart toward the Lord.

To help youth remain connected to Christ, President Farnes shared five practices: prayer, scripture study centered on Christ, following the prophet, following the Holy Ghost, and partaking of the sacrament. Through these practices, he encouraged the youth to turn to Christ and stay connected to Him every day.

Concluding his remarks, President Farnes quoted Helaman 5:12 and testified powerfully that when Jesus Christ becomes the foundation of daily life, “they cannot fall.” His message inspired and strengthened the youth in attendance.

Participants shared impressions such as:

• “I want to make time every morning and evening to pray so I can turn toward the Lord.”
• “I decided to attend FSY when I learned President and Sister Farnes would be there. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to hear their messages.”
• “This year I have felt emotionally overwhelmed. I learned that I can choose either to face difficulties alone or walk with the Lord. I often wondered, ‘Why only me?’ But I felt that when I turn toward the Lord, difficult experiences become sacred.”
• “I thought the Lord was walking with me, but through the devotional I realized that I also need to make my own effort to turn fully toward Him.”

On the final day of the Osaka session, President and Sister Farnes held a special devotional for parents of youth participating in the Special Company program. Drawing on their own family experiences, including raising a grandchild who has difficulty communicating, President and Sister Farnes spoke candidly with the parents. Participants openly shared their struggles, fears, challenges, questions, and concerns.

Quoting 2 Nephi 28:30, President and Sister Farnes taught that rather than comparing ourselves with others, we can see miracles when we recognize and celebrate the small improvements and blessings that come day by day.

“It is easy to say but difficult to do,” they acknowledged with empathy and love, emphasizing the importance of the simple act of turning to the Lord. They also taught that maintaining an eternal perspective allows us to see challenges in a different light.

President and Sister Farnes then shared a phrase that is meaningful in their family:

The “î” in LîVE symbolizes looking upward to heaven and relying on heavenly power rather than trusting in our own strength, or the arm of flesh. The other letters stand for:

• L – Little
• V – Victories
• E – Everyday

The message is that when we turn our eyes toward the Lord, we can recognize the small victories that occur in everyday life.

The devotional was marked by a strong spirit throughout. Many parents were visibly moved, shedding tears as they spoke with President and Sister Farnes and exchanged embraces with them afterward.

Parents shared comments such as:

• “The message of ‘LîVE’ helped me realize how important it is to choose where I focus my attention. By appreciating and accepting what is already going well instead of dwelling on what is lacking, we come to understand our true worth. I learned the importance of viewing things from the Lord’s perspective rather than deciding for ourselves what matters most.”
• “The invitation to ‘recognize the small victories in everyday life’ stayed with me. Worrying about the future can become endless, but instead I want to focus on each day, notice the progress being made, and praise my child for things they can do that may otherwise go unnoticed.
   

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  Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

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