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Elder Ronald A. Rasband greets young adults during The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' global devotionals Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.

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President Joe Biden speaks at a memorial service for former Sen. Harry Reid on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

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President M. Russell Ballard speaks at a memorial for former Sen. Harry Reid on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022.

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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his wife, Harriet, are pictured during The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' global devotionals Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.

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Elder Quentin L. Cook speaks at one of six global devotionals by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.

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Elder Niel L. Andersen is pictured during The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' global devotionals Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson speaks during The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' global devotionals Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.

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Elder Dale G. Renlund is pictured during The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' global devotionals Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.

Courtesy Intellectual Reserve

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The start of 2022 for members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has not only been busy but somewhat unique.

On Saturday, President M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles joined President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and others on Saturday to honor the life of Latter-day Saint and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

On Sunday, six of the apostles held remote devotionals with young adults ages 18-30 both married and single. Broadcasting from various locations at the church’s Salt Lake City headquarters; Elders Deiter F. Uchtdorf, Quentin L. Cook, D. Todd Christofferson, Neil L. Andersen, Ronald A. Rasband and Dale G. Renlund, all accompanied by their wives or other general or area authorities, spoke on a variety of topics but all focusing back on putting the Savior in one’s life.

Harry Reid’s memorial

At the memorial honoring Reid, Ballard shared with the Reid family the love of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The First Presidency first extended condolences on Dec. 28, 2021, the day of the senator’s death.

While Reid, a native of Searchlight, Nevada, was at times “all business,” President Ballard said he was also “a man of faith — in word and in deed.” Sen. Reid and his wife, Landra, joined the Church soon after their marriage at age 19. From the beginning, “they have been faithful disciples of Jesus Christ, with a firm belief that we are all brothers and sisters, children of a loving Father in Heaven,” the apostle said.

Reid faithfully carried out Christ’s command in the New Testament to serve “the least of these,” Ballard said. He cared for “those who were less fortunate, hungry, sick or those who had any number of challenges. … Of Harry Reid’s religious leaders, many have commented that he was the best minister in their congregation. Even during his years as one of the nation’s most powerful political leaders, he always made time to minister ‘to the least of these,’ and he did it one by one.”

Global devotionals

The Sunday devotionals are not new to the church but the amount of representation from the church apostles to a worldwide audience is less common.

Elder Uchtdorf addressed young adults in the Asia, Asia North, Pacific and Philippines areas. A choir from Mongolia provided music and prayers were from individuals from Singapore and Thailand.

“God, our Heavenly Father, knows each of us personally, is interested in each one of us and cares about our well-being and progress,” Uchtdorf said. “And Heavenly Father is always there for us. Isn’t that amazing and wonderful?”

Uchtdorf shared that he has seen God’s help many times in his own life.

Elder Cook addressed Latter-day Saints in Europe, Europe East, Africa and Middle East areas. Elder Marcus Nash, executive director of the Missionary Department, accompanied Cook.

“The choices you will make are the key to your future and your happiness. … I want you to know, and I testify to you, that you will receive guidance from the Lord if you walk in His paths and live His commandments,” Cook said.

Elder Christofferson spoke to young adults living in Portuguese-speaking areas, beseeching them to “fear not” and look to Christ. He also encouraged them to get an education, whether academic or vocational, because all are needed.

Elder Andersen spoke to Latter-day Saints in Spanish-speaking areas including Latin America and Spain. He focused on repentance, honesty, the Sacrament and Christ’s Atonement.

Elder Rasband’s devotional was held remotely in the LDS Conference Center and broadcast to North American young adults in English.

“Choose to follow God’s living prophet. He is our watchman on the tower,” Rasband said. “Choose to follow God’s living prophet and you will never be distanced from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Elder Renlund addressed all French-speaking Latter-day Saints in Canada, France, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. He invited the audience to hear Christ even through life’s challenges.

Most of the apostles spoke in the language of the groups they were addressing, such as Renlund speaking in French.

Messages are available in 32 languages, from Tagalog to Finnish, on YouTube or the Church’s live broadcast web page, ChurchofJesusChrist.org/broadcasts.

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