Youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the greater Chattanooga area held a Fall Festival on Saturday. Activities included a chili cook-off and a variety of games intended to help young people fellowship in a safe, fun and gospel-inspired environment.
The Fall Festival came a day before a Face-to-Face event with Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. On Sunday, Elder Gong and other general officers of The Church unveiled a new Children and Youth program (ages seven-18).
The prophet, President Russell M.
Nelson, who is traveling in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia, introduced the program via video. “Keep the Savior at the center of your plans,” President Nelson said. Elder Gong said, “Built around a gospel core, this is our single Church effort for all our youth and children everywhere. It focuses on you discovering and becoming your best divine self through activities and service, learning and growth. Real service and purposeful activities are at the heart of Children and Youth.”
Young Men General President Stephen W. Owen said, “We also want you to have fun. A main purpose of activities is to enjoy our time together. This will help you build relationships that can last a lifetime.” Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary (children) general president, and Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women general president, also participated in the Face-to-Face. David Archuletta performed the new 2020 theme song – Go and Do. The event was broadcast live from the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Ut.
A new Children and Youth website was also unveiled. The site includes “more than 100 activities and service ideas for families, children and youth – with more to come.” A digital asset to the program, the Gospel Living app, “allows youth to track goals, view upcoming activities, journal thoughts and photos, listen to music, watch videos and share messages with family, class or quorum members and leaders."
"The first version of the app will be available for download in January,” officials said.