Messages of unity echoed through the Abbotsford Centre in British Columbia in early August as more than 5,000 attendees gathered for the 3rd International Humility, Kindness and Love (HKL) Conference. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in the global event, which encourages people to build strong, connected communities by promoting the values of humility, kindness and love. The daylong celebration brought together spiritual leaders, civic voices, artists and volunteers from diverse backgrounds, all committed to fostering a more compassionate world.
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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. | 1 / 2 |
Among the speakers was Elder M. Travis Wolsey, >Area Seventy for British Columbia, who addressed the crowd on the virtuous cycle of prayer. “Prayer is not a wish list,” Elder Wolsey said. “It is aligning our will with God’s will.” He affirmed that Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of humility, kindness and love, emphasizing that true spiritual growth begins with personal alignment and community service.
The conference showcased voices from a wide range of community and faith leaders, including Dr. Anna Stewart Ibarra, executive director of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research; Chief Phil Lane Jr., hereditary chief and member of the Yankton Dakota and Chickasaw First Nations and co-founder of the Four Worlds International Institute; Baba Baldev Singh Ji, Sikh spiritual leader; Yehuda Mansell of the New Hope Community Services Society; Dr. Harinder Singh, co-founder of the Sikh Research Institute; Bhante Saranapala, Buddhist monk; Sister Claudia Rangel of Brahma Kumaris; Abdul Qayyum Mufti, Muslim faith leader; and Rev. Cathy Merchant, founder of Living Interfaith Sanctuary.
Each speaker shared insights on how these core virtues — humility, kindness and love — are universal values that can bridge divides, heal communities and unite us all.
Merchant said, “Listening to people from all faith traditions, we realize how much we have in common with each other. We can help spread the wave of humility, kindness and love by paying more attention to the people around us. In doing this, we can have the change that we need in the world.”
The atmosphere throughout the day was one of celebration and connection. Cultural sharing and musical performances added vibrancy to the event, creating a space for meaningful connection and reflection. These activities reinforced the idea that love and kindness transcend language and tradition. Attendees were encouraged to take the messages they heard back home and become ambassadors of humility, kindness and love in their own families and communities.
Volunteers played a crucial role in the event’s success. Thirty Latter-day Saint missionaries and members from the Abbotsford British Columbia Stake served as ushers, working side by side with young adults from the Sikh community. Daniel Bill, Abbotsford British Columbia Stake communication director, reflected on the experience: “It was very rewarding to work alongside our friends in the Sikh community. They invited us to participate in and support this event. The organizers worked tirelessly, and it was inspiring to see our volunteers exemplify the message of HKL.”
The Canadian conference was a success not only locally but also globally, with over 80,000 viewers tuning in via livestream. Elder Wolsey said of the conference: “I felt a greater sense of love for our brothers and sisters worldwide who share the desire to promote these divine qualities. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of God’s love for His billions of children.”
The HKL movement, a grassroots initiative, launched its first conference in India in November 2024. Since then, it has held events in Italy (April 2025) and now in Canada, promoting a global wave of goodwill. At the end of the conference, organizers announced that the next two HKL conferences will be held in India and Sydney, Australia.
Elder Wolsey commented on the broader impact of such gatherings: “We understand that we are all brothers and sisters of the same God, but sometimes our backgrounds and biases create unnecessary boundaries. By connecting through shared values and serving together, we can practice ‘pure religion,’ build lasting friendships and become the peacemakers we are called to be. Jesus taught, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God’ (Matthew 5:9.”