Youth from all around Johannesburg were gathered at the Africa Southeast Area office to participate in the Face to Face discussion with President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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Youth were encouraged to submit questions online or through social media to the apostles for the event. Being live streamed to a global audience from Palmyra, New York, meant those gathered here could ask questions and get a live response.
The location is significant to Latter-day Saints who believe the Prophet Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, near his Palmyra farm home nearly two centuries ago. He had read James 1:5 and then acted on the response he received. The youth had been encouraged to read the account of Joseph Smith and then come to the event with questions they desired answers to and ASK.
A question asked via video conferencing came from South Africa’s Joshua Viviers, “How can we distinguish between the Holy Ghost and other emotions or feelings we may have and mistaking them for the Holy Ghost?”
President Eyring responded, “it is a feeling of peace, and consistent with loving the Saviour and love of the Lord’s servants. If it is not, then it could be your own feeling and not what God is trying to tell you.”
Also a question from Zimbabwe. “Sometimes I feel the presence of the spirit, but sometimes I don’t feel it at all. How can I feel it everywhere I am?”
Elder Holland answered, “Those key words, still and small. He is not going to compete. He is not going to do unneeded battle with the world. He is going to wait until we care enough and provide an environment that He can be still and small.”
He went on, “I think so often we make prayer a kind of a laundry list of requests,” he said. “It's sort of like we want to go to the store and get this and this and this and I need it right now and I want it in the bag and I'm on my way. And we fail to remember that He's supposed to speak back to us. We need his voice we've got to provide an environment for him to speak to us and that means stay on your knees. Stay quiet stay in the private setting let it happen. We often deny Him the chance to reply.”
The youth in attendance in South Africa were very impressed with the whole broadcast. Many came with questions and all felt their questions were answered. “Lean on us, this is the truth.” Stated Elder Holland.