Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman Inspires Montreal Youth

For the first time since being called as Young Women General President, Emily Belle Freeman visited the Montreal area. She met with hundreds of youth and youth leaders at the Longueuil Quebec Stake Centre of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 29, 2026, where she offered instruction and encouragement. The bilingual multi-stake event included a leadership training session followed by a devotional for youth.

Devotional for Youth

During the devotional, President Freeman focused on the 2026 Youth theme, “Walk with Me,” a call for youth to draw closer to Jesus Christ and develop a relationship with Him. When this theme was launched, President Freeman said, “Every time we open the scriptures, we have an opportunity to walk with Christ. Every time we stand as a witness of Him, we walk with Him. When we mourn with others or comfort a friend or help to shoulder a burden, these are the moments we walk with Christ.”

President Freeman encouraged participants to walk with Christ through meaningful prayer and scripture study. She spoke about a young woman she had met at a For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conference who had added pictures, bookmarks and markings to nearly every page of her Book of Mormon. President Freeman said the young woman’s example inspired her to study with greater love and intensity. She admonished the youth to be experts in testifying of the Saviour.

Caroline Lemblé> said, “[President Freeman’s visit] made me reflect on my love for the Saviour.”

Caroline’s brother, William Lemblé, appreciated President Freeman’s focus on the unique opportunities of the present time. He explained, “She really emphasized what an exceptional time it is to live on earth right now. It made me feel that God knows me, [knows] what I’m experiencing and that He has the things I need in store.”

Anne-Marie Valois, Canada Area organization adviser, remarked that visits from General Officers of the Church are particularly meaningful for youth: “[The youth] leave knowing they are loved, prayed for and watched over.”

Strengthening Leaders

Before meeting with the youth, President Freeman spent two hours providing training to local youth leaders. Valois noted that leaders were taught about the pillars of “believe, belong and become.” “These pillars are to be lived,” she said. “President Freeman taught them with scriptures and testimony.”

Drawing on examples of faithful women from the scriptures, President Freeman reminded leaders that “God will speak to us. We are His daughters. We are chosen and have a mission.”

Lawanda Michelle Fraser, a Young Women counsellor from the LaSalle Ward, said, “I loved when President Freeman said, ‘Discipleship is an adventure.’”

Fraser was especially inspired by President Freeman’s invitation to help youth develop an unshakable understanding of their divine identity by knowing for themselves that they are beloved children of God, that Jesus Christ is their strength and that the Holy Ghost will never fail those who seek and follow His guidance.

Local Young Women President Alejandra Perez-Pichardo said, “It was a remarkable visit that confirmed how the Youth program was inspired to focus on the things that matter the most.”

Walk With Me

President Freeman concluded her visit to Montreal by encouraging the youth to “walk with [Christ], and He will remind you of who you are.” She then invited the youth to stand and sing the FSY Medley in French and English.

Valois said, “When [President Freeman] had [the youth] stand to sing the FSY Medley, you could feel the power and potential of this generation.”

Elder Dominic R. Sénéchal, Area Seventy, said, “What impressed me most was President Freeman’s invitation for each young person to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Her message was clear: As our youth walk with the Saviour every day, they will discover their divine identity and their capacity to bless the world around them.”

Read the article in French