New Canada Area Presidency Counsellor Encourages Young Adults to Move Forward in Faith

In his first assignment as a counsellor in the Canada Area Presidency, Elder Matthew L. Carpenter encouraged young adults across Canada to move forward with faith in Jesus Christ during a nationwide devotional broadcast from Calgary, Alberta, on July 31, 2026. The devotional was part of a three-day conference held July 31 to August 2, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta. The conference was designed to help young adults strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and build meaningful connections with one another.

Elder Carpenter was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 31, 2018, and began his service in Canada on August 1, 2026.

Canada Young Single Adult Broadcast

Elder Carpenter, along with his wife, Sister Michelle (“Shelly”) Carpenter, addressed hundreds of young adults during the devotional, which was broadcast across Canada in English, French and Spanish.

“There are many things we cannot see yet. The design that is your life ahead, we cannot see yet,” said Sister Carpenter. “We have to have a lot of hope and trust.”

The Carpenters emphasized four ways to come closer to Christ: strengthen faith in Him, cultivate increased humility, seek help from others and be patient. They noted that these invitations originally came from Church President Dallin H. Oaks during his first devotional address as President of the Church at Brigham Young University (see “Coming Closer to Jesus Christ,” February 10, 2026).

The devotional’s message of faith and trust in the Lord resonated with many young adults navigating important decisions about their future, especially regarding education, careers, relationships and future service.

When asked what she learned, Lily Yang responded, “[To not] wander by the door. … Life has many chapters, and we need to be brave, open the door and move forward. This was something I needed to hear most, especially at this time.”

Levi Palmer, a young adult from Calgary, said, “What resonated for me was when Elder and Sister Carpenter taught that we can have greater confidence in our future as we follow the prophet. I’ve recently felt somewhat overwhelmed by questions about my future, but I am relieved to know that God will guide me as I heed His servant.”

Elder Carpenter concluded by inviting young adults to follow the prophet with faith and emphasized the prophet’s role in helping Church members focus on Jesus Christ. He said, “Jesus Christ is the way, and President Oaks, as the living prophet with the prophetic mantle, is helping us to focus on Christ as the way. … He will give all that He has for you as you faithfully follow Him.”

Young Single Adult Conference

Approximately 650 young adults from Canada and several other countries gathered for the conference, which focused on the theme “He Is the Way.” The conference included social activities, workshops, service opportunities, a visit to the Calgary Alberta Temple and inspiring messages from Church leaders.

Social activities included rafting on the Bow River, downhill karting and visiting the Calgary Zoo and Taste of Calgary. A summer soirée at Contemporary Calgary included a magic show, trivia games, live music, dance lessons and dancing.

As part of the JustServe community service activity, participants assembled over 800 hygiene kits for the Calgary Drop-in Centre and donated additional needed items. Participants also made cards for Seniors Secret Service and the Canadian Veterans Services Society.

The Saturday workshops had a spiritual focus, offering practical insights and ways to strengthen personal faith. The 14 workshop topics included temples, relationship building, lifelong discipleship, self-defence and strategies for seeking answers to questions.

For Ryan Herrera, a workshop on discussing questions of faith with others provided valuable perspective. “I loved the honesty and transparency given during the answering faith-related questions workshop,” he said. “It helped me understand how I can answer questions from people outside of my faith with clarity.”

Young adults also had the opportunity to worship in the Calgary Alberta Temple. Thirty young adult temple workers assisted 400 young adult attendees in performing over 1,000 temple ordinances.

During the concluding sacrament meeting, attended by over 800 people, Elder Kevin C. Thompson, Area Seventy, encouraged young adults to centre their lives on Jesus Christ and turn toward His light. “Like sunflowers follow the sun each day, so we as disciples can point our lives to follow the Son of God each day,” he said. “As we do so, we will find Jesus Christ is the way.”

Elder and Sister Carpenter testified of the healing power of the Saviour’s Atonement and that through Jesus Christ, young adults can find peace, healing and happiness.

Throughout the conference, young adults strengthened faith in Jesus Christ, served their communities, worshipped in the temple and formed lasting friendships, all centred on the conference theme “He Is the Way.”

Read the article in French