President Emily Belle Freeman Speaks on Discipleship in Colorado – Church News

PUEBLO, Colo. – On October 18, hundreds of youth from nine stakes in southern Colorado gathered to hear the Young Women General. President Emily Belle Freeman talk about being a disciple of Jesus Christ.

President Freeman shared a message of love, hope and inspiration. She invited the young people to think about their name and their role in the kingdom of God. She said she was not given a middle name at birth, but she had wanted one all her life. At the age of 18, she asked her grandmother if she could have her middle name, Belle, for her birthday. Her grandmother decided to hire a lawyer to make Belle her middle name.

President Freeman then reminded her audience that Mormon is named after the land of Mormon, where Alma founded the Church. Mormon said, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called by him to preach his word to his people so that they may have eternal life.” (3 Nephi 5:12-13).

President Freeman said, “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, and I am called a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

Youth who attended the event said they were inspired by President Freeman’s invitation. Lilyana Walters of the La Junta Ward, Pueblo Colorado Stake, said: “I have learned that I want the people in my life to know that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that I share it gospel with others.”

About 700 young people attended the fireside in Pueblo, but many young people attended via a live link from other locations. Ellie Becker of the Cheyenne Meadows Ward of the Colorado Springs Colorado Stake attended the meeting at the Colorado Springs Stake Center. Ellie said of President Freeman, “I loved her, she was wonderful…she was a compelling speaker,” and added, “I hope I can be a positive light of Christ in everything I do and that people can recognize. ”

President Freeman told the youth stories of people they knew who had strong faith and were actively participating in discipleship, including President Russell M. Nelson. “If you believe,” she said, “you will do great things with your life.”

President Freeman told a story about it a visit she made to MauiHawaii, after families lost their homes in the Lahaina fire. She asked a group of children what they were praying for. They responded that they prayed for a sense of safety after the fire and the ability to live in a home with their family again.

One child said he prayed at a temple in Maui. He asked if President Freeman could ask President Nelson for a temple. President Freeman did not get a chance to speak with President Nelson before the election October 2023 General Conferencebut President Nelson announced a temple in Maui. After the announcement, the child told his mother, “It worked.”

President Freeman reminded the youth that Heavenly Father answers prayers.

The event was eagerly awaited by the youth. Daisy Shifflet of the Pueblo West 4th Ward of the Pueblo Colorado Stake said, “When we heard she was coming to speak, we were all so excited.”

Daisy added: “She brings it into real life situations that you can relate to. I feel like she was on the same level as the youth. It was almost as if she already knew us when she spoke to us.

President Freeman encouraged the youth to be active followers of Jesus Christ. She spoke about the divine role of youth as children of God. She asked the young people to remember who they are and what they came here to do. She told the youth, “I am so grateful for who you are, for what you bring to the Lord’s work.”

Ellie Hallam of the Pueblo West 2nd Ward of the Pueblo Colorado Stake said, “I was so excited to hear from Sister Freeman that Heavenly Father has confidence in my generation to help gather Israel.”

After the fireside was over, the youth gathered close to President Freeman. She carefully took care of anyone who wanted to spend time with her.

The youth expressed their appreciation for President Freeman and her time with them. Tannin Jackson of the Mesa Ward of the Pueblo Colorado Stake said, “I thought it was really special that she came straight to Pueblo to talk to us.”

— Jenney Mead is a media specialist for the church in Colorado