5 General Conference Talks Every Young Adult Should Read

By YA Weekly staff

General conference talks are always insightful, but here are just a few that can guide, comfort, and inspire you as a young adult!

Being a young adult is hard. There are so many choices to make, the future is so unknown, and you can feel pretty aimless at times. But luckily, we have loving Church leaders who know how to guide us through all the stages of our lives, including young adulthood.

We’ve gone through and chosen just a few general conference talks we think are especially helpful and applicable to young adults—talks about personal revelation, making choices, learning how to live the gospel as an imperfect person, and more.

So if you’re struggling as a young adult, here are five general conference talks you should go back and read again:

“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives”: When You’re Struggling with Questions

In his first address as the prophet, President Russell M. Nelson said that “the privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.”

He talked about receiving revelation for his own life and his Church calling. It’s cool to see that even as the future prophet, he didn’t always have all the answers to what he should do in life. Like he did, you can learn how to receive revelation for yourself.

“Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually”: When You Keep Making Mistakes

In the October 2017 conference, President Jeffrey R. Holland, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, talked about the struggles we endure as imperfect beings. Relatable much?

But he reassured those of us who struggle with a perfectionist mindset: “With a willingness to repent and a desire for increased righteousness always in our hearts, I would hope we could pursue personal improvement in a way that doesn’t include getting ulcers or anorexia, feeling depressed or demolishing our self-esteem.”

We can try our best every day to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. And when—not if—we mess up, we can repent and keep trying.

“Your Wonderful Journey Home”: When Life Feels Meaningless

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles talked about our journey back to our heavenly home.

“It might be wise to ask yourself how your journey is going,” he advised us. “Are you on the right course? Are you becoming the person you were designed to be and wanted to become? Are you making choices that will help you to return to your Father in Heaven?”

Asking yourself these questions will help you find more meaning and purpose in your life and might even inspire you to make changes in your life that will help you come closer to our Savior.

“Choose You This Day”: When You Have to Make Hard Choices

This talk by Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is all about choosing to serve God:

“Though God wants us to be on the covenant path, He gives us the dignity of choosing.

“Indeed, God desires, expects, and directs that each of His children choose for himself or herself. He will not force us.”

When you have hard choices to make as a young adult, you can remember that if you’re choosing God, you’re making the right choice.

“Simply Beautiful—Beautifully Simple”: When Living the Gospel Feels Complicated

Sharing experiences from the lives of four members, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles illustrated that the gospel is simple. You probably remember learning the most basic principles of the gospel in Primary or when you were taught by missionaries. Elder Stevenson’s explanation of how to live the gospel in your everyday life is just as simple. He explains that our responsibilities are “to live the gospel of Jesus Christ[,] … to care for those in need, … to invite all to receive the gospel, … [and] to unite families for eternity.”

We are blessed to have leaders who help reassure us of how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. As young adults, we have so many things that occupy our time and attention. But remembering the advice of our leaders can help us navigate these challenges, regardless of what may come our way.