Look Unto Christ: Annabelle’s KL District Youth Conference 2025 28–31 March 2025 | The NEST, MAEPS, Serdang, Malaysia

At the end of March 2025, Annabelle joined nearly 50 youth from across West Malaysia for the Kuala Lumpur District Youth Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Held over three days at The NEST, an outdoor training centre and campsite at MAEPS, Serdang, the conference brought young people together for friendship, fun, spiritual learning, and personal growth.

The theme, “Look Unto Christ,” was inspired by Doctrine and Covenants 6:36: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” Throughout the conference, the youth were encouraged to turn to Jesus Christ for guidance, strength, and wisdom in their daily lives.

Friday, 28 March – Arriving and Building Friendships

The youth travelled from different locations to The NEST and settled into camp before gathering for dinner, orientation, and evening activities. It was a wonderful opportunity for Annabelle to reconnect with familiar friends and make new ones from other areas. Sharing the campsite experience helped everyone begin building friendships and unity.

Saturday, 29 March – Adventure, Teamwork and Spiritual Learning

Saturday began with breakfast and camp preparation before the youth took part in outdoor challenges.

Water-confidence activities and kayaking on the lake encouraged them to step outside their comfort zones, while team competitions, including a balloon-popping challenge, brought plenty of excitement and laughter.

In the evening, the youth enjoyed dinner followed by music and dancing. A senior volunteer couple even demonstrated the Swing and Jitterbug dances, although the younger generation had their own ideas about what made a great dance party!

Beyond the fun, these activities helped the youth practise teamwork, courage, communication, and supporting one another.  

Sunday, 30 March – Worship, Workshops and Testimonies

Sunday began with a worship service, including partaking of the Sacrament. Young youth leaders Danic and Cherrie taught about the conference theme, “Look Unto Christ,” followed by messages from President Brian Chan and President Dale Wells of the Kuala Lumpur District Presidency. 

In the afternoon, the youth attended workshops on emotional resilience, avoiding temptation, keeping the body sacred, and making wise decisions. One particularly thought-provoking session, led by senior volunteers Elder Mark and Sister Linda Barrand, explored how the frontal brain helps us pause, think carefully, and make better choices instead of acting impulsively.

The youth were invited to reflect on what they had learned and express their thoughts through key words, drawings, and personal responses. These discussions helped them recognise that following Christ is not only about what we believe, but also about the choices we make when facing challenges and temptations.

The evening ended with an opportunity for the youth to bear their personal testimonies of Jesus Christ. Each participant also received an illuminated Christus to display at home—a meaningful reminder to keep the Saviour at the centre of their lives.

Monday, 31 March – Asking God for Wisdom

On the final morning, Annabelle had a special opportunity to lead a discussion on James 1:5, which teaches that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God, who gives generously.

The youth reflected on how they could seek Heavenly Father's guidance when making decisions. They then created their own “quotes of wisdom,” wrote them down, and placed them in a box. The quotes were drawn at random and shared with the group, allowing everyone to learn from one another's thoughts and experiences.

I am especially happy that Annabelle had the opportunity to lead this discussion. It was a chance for her not only to participate, but also to contribute, share ideas, and help other youth reflect on seeking wisdom from God.

After a final sharing session, the youth packed up and departed for home, taking with them new friendships, meaningful memories, and lessons to apply in their everyday lives. 

Lessons to Carry Home

This conference was much more than a few days of camping and activities. It gave Annabelle and the other youth opportunities to develop leadership skills, build friendships, strengthen their testimonies, and learn how to make thoughtful choices.

I hope Annabelle will remember that she does not have to face life's challenges alone. When she feels uncertain, tempted, or overwhelmed, she can look to Jesus Christ, seek wisdom through prayer, and trust Heavenly Father to guide her.

I am grateful Annabelle could be part of this experience and contribute by leading the discussion on James 1:5. My hope is that the friendships she formed, the lessons she learned, and the spirit she felt will continue to influence her choices long after the conference has ended.

“Look unto Christ” is more than a conference theme. It is a reminder for Annabelle—and for all of us—to turn to the Saviour for wisdom, courage, and direction, one decision at a time. ❤️

Low Key What If I Stopped Counting

Well this week has been a ringer for me it's been a tough one, but I am able to see a lot of the good from that ugly. I liked it a lot! And I can see my growth in my mental state as well as my spiritual capacity! It's soo FUNNN

I liked that photo it's soo fun! Well Imma just squeeze like 2 or 3 weeks in a row right here. ✅️

Also I have to confess, my English has deteriorate ever since coming to America it's been interesting learning the American English , but hey who's judging ‍️

Few New Terms

Throwing a Fit (tantrum), cold turkey (stop), type beat (vibe or feels or looks like something) and I think that's all. My English teacher is going to kill me fr

This week has been a ton of fun and at the same time a ton of challenges too! But I can see thinking positively and celestially is definitely a challenging yet possible insight to seeing teh world! I love it soo much and it brings so much joy in my mission life. Sure breakdowns left and right, this but a scratch. Having exhausting body to continue the work, His but a flesh wound.

However, I'm not neglecting it's hard. Yet I have found happiness in those sorrowful time. Through Jesus Christ and that was an interesting experience!

I got the opportunity to train Edler Harmon, he has been an interesting son. Being placed in a trainer world it's interesting. And him In a whole other different background compared to mine. That's interesting too ... but it kind of reminded me of a general conference talk, and it's amazing to see how there are always something more that connects us together instead of dividing us. And I am really grateful for all these experiences.

Well since I have been prepping for this email for 4 weeks straight, I am gonna send this off first and slowly make an epic comeback to chase y'all up to date too ! And I think I am doing fine, just need some adjustments but I love this mission so much! Well I'll be back in a few hours chow chow.

Gotta admit it's a baller tie!

29th Week - I Finally Understood the Joy in the Lord's Work

Okay I am going to start off with our friend Maya, she is soo dope and awesome in so many ways! ✨️✨️ and she got baptised this week!

I'm not gonna lie but her baptism opened my eyes in understanding the power of Baptism and how compared to your wedding (the Civil part not sealing part) its nothing. Baptism is my first covenant with My Father in Heaven and it's the same for you and your Father in Heaven. And I am in awe✨️✨️✨️ at this point she's like a sister and so is Jaycelyn too it's hilarious to be with them and seeing the many joy and adventures they've had and will have soon is soo exciting!

Even eating and Jimmy John's and reflecting back at the journey I've experienced, that was crazy in soo many ways. And the many things I've accomplished and learned is soo vastly deep and wide. In the way I have in words, in the thinking I need to do, in my trust in the Lord and etc. It's definitely been a journey and now here I am still going and doing all I cab to be a consecrated missionary. I loved it soo much! And I cannot describe to you the volume of pure joy and peace I had when Maya got baptised! It was an experience I want to have in my life, a life that I want to live in this life and in the life to come. Helping another soul to taste of that fruit which is precious and most desirable above all else, Sing that redeeming love and dance to the music of the Savior's glad tithing. I am soo happy and embraced in love because of my friends feeling embraced and love too. AHHHHH I WISH YOU COULD FEEL HOW I FELT FR! It was definitely an experience I'll never forget.

Baptism 

Well during the week I was studying about Baptism too and the beauty that it brings ✨️ I've learned a lot about the power of Baptism and the manh blessings the Lord wants to bless us with! It's been awesome and I'm so glad I studied and understood more about it. To see that it truly is the first covenant we made with God and to press onwards and forward. Carry on carry on carry on! Because of that covenants we made, we are the youth of the Noble Birthright. It's amazing to see the love our Savior has for us, the love Heavenly Father has for us all is beyond comprehension not gonna lie. And I love it, so much to understand and we have enough time. Not in this life but also with eternity to come✨️

Temples

Okay coming back recently we were able to teach our friends and that's was something fr but more importantly, we got to go the the temple and that was an amazing experience fr. I am grateful for the temples in the world today! I've come to realise the beauty of temple and the comfort it beings into our lives ✨️

And something I found out was the blessing of the temple, how it helps us to focus our lives on Jesus Christ. As I went through the endowment as well as the Celestial room. I found something intriguing in searching the scriptures when I had time. And I found charity and the way we can teach our friends.

❤️ In 2 Timothy 2:21-26 

21. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

22. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

23. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

24. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

As we teach, let us do so with charity, it was really a lesson I needed. To remember that I must be patient and loving to my friends. No matter what the situation, excuse and etc. Always do it with charity, not for me but for our friends. As I pondered I realised how messed up their lifes actually are. And I felt so sorry and humbled in understanding my friends even more. I wished I was there to help them constantly but I know I cannot do that.

But something I found was intriguing is that, we are not here to fix their problems with the gospel. But we're here to help and support our friends in their needs and especially, invite the Savior into their lives to mend their afflictions.

The tools were never meant to fix a flawed statue by itself. But because of the Master's touch with His tools to the statue, only then is can things be made perfect. Just like us missionaries, we're never meant to donit alone. However with our Savior's Atonement and our Father's divine plan, we can invite the Savior even more into our friends life. That as we help them invite the Holy Ghost into their life, they can know that He is there, the Savior can be manifested through the power of the Holy Ghost ✨️. Isn't it amazing I find it comforting in my life fr.

And more than that, I found being pure and worthy can bring so much blessings into our lives. So why don't we drop our weapons of rebellion whatever it may be, and come next to our Savior again. I found that spiritual capacity increases, love and understanding increases as well as peace in our lives increases. I am grateful for that lesson.

Me and Elder Dubreuil at the temple

RM from the same mission, ELDERR STALLINGGS! And his trainer Elder Winder. 3 generations Chinese missionaries in the same car!