Young adults from across Eastern Canada gathered in Montreal, Quebec, June 26–28, 2026, for a weekend conference of worship, service, learning and connection hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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The conference gave the young adults opportunities to attend the Montreal Quebec Temple, serve in the community, participate in workshops, enjoy some recreation and build friendships with peers navigating a pivotal stage of life. The weekend also included a devotional with Elder Vern P. Stanfill, General Authority Seventy and president of the Canada Area, who spoke to attendees and answered questions.
For many, the conference offered a rare opportunity to worship, learn and socialize with peers who share their faith. Helaman Munoz, a young adult from Montreal, explained, “Being able to go and see so many like-minded people was awesome.”
Workshop topics included family history, communication and how to share one’s faith. Keynote speakers from the Canada Montreal Mission helped participants consider how to strengthen their personal faith, build healthy relationships and contribute to their communities.
Ewurabena Boateng, a young adult from Montreal, said one workshop answered questions that had been on her mind: “There was a workshop on finance that I really enjoyed. … I came out with some goals for the future. I am really glad it was one of the workshops because it highlighted the importance of self-reliance.”
Devotional with Elder Stanfill
A highlight of the conference was the devotional with Elder Stanfill. He invited questions from young adults and addressed their concerns, opportunities and responsibilities as disciples of Jesus Christ. For young single adults from across Eastern Canada, the devotional provided a unique and meaningful opportunity to learn from a General Authority serving in Canada.
The participants asked questions about making Jesus Christ their foundation, navigating uncertainty, and managing the stress of major decisions involving education, careers, finances, dating and relationships. They also asked how to preserve the spiritual foundation built through missionary service and how to create healthy relationships when they may not have strong examples in their own lives.
In response, Elder Stanfill shared personal experiences, including decisions about work, career changes, Church service and marriage. He also spoke about the source of joy: “Our relationship with the Saviour is our true source of joy. True joy is not dependent upon the circumstances we find ourselves in.”
He also reassured the young adults: “Brothers and sisters, I know that you are known. Our Heavenly Father knows you as one of His children. As you learn to overcome difficulties, you will become more like Him.”
Speaking to questions about dating and relationships, Sister Alicia Stanfill, wife of Elder Stanfill, encouraged the participants: “Trust the goodness in you, and look for someone who appreciates that goodness in you. Don’t ever settle for anything less than someone who appreciates the goodness in you.”
Elder Stanfill added that discipleship changes the way people see themselves and others: “As we strive to live the way the Saviour would have us live, things that the world would tamp down as being less important suddenly become very important to us. We look to the heart of people. We look beyond their exterior.”
Elder Stanfill’s visit came during the first year of the newly created Canada Area, announced by the First Presidency to better provide leadership and support for Church members across the country. The creation of a Canada Area places greater focus on the needs, strengths, languages, distances and diverse circumstances of members in Canada.
Strengthened Through Faith and Friendship
Organizers said the weekend reflected the purpose of young adult gatherings: helping disciples of Jesus Christ strengthen one another, feel a sense of belonging in the Church, and prepare to bless their families, congregations and communities.
For Boateng, the testimony portion of the Sunday sacrament meeting was a conference highlight: “Although I loved hearing from the Church leaders, hearing from people my age about their testimonies and their feelings on certain topics, including faith and relationships, was very fulfilling.”
The conference also inspired participants to reflect on their personal discipleship. Munoz shared one lesson that resonated with him: “I want to be more patient in the Lord. I’m at the age where everyone says things move fast, and I feel like I’m just waiting for them to start moving. This weekend taught me that maybe it’s okay when things move more slowly.”
Boateng added, “Conferences like this matter because they allow us to take a break from our busy lives and refocus on important things. They give us the chance to be surrounded by people who share our values.”
“These kinds of gatherings help young single adults remember that they are not alone,” said Elder Stanfill. “They strengthen one another as they worship, serve and build friendships centred on Jesus Christ.”