International Young Single Adults are “Rooted and Rising” in Asia

To the 236 attendees from 30 nationalities across 12 locations in Asia, the blessings of gathering were numbered in countless moments throughout the second International Young Single Adult (YSA) Conference. Held in Bangkok, Thailand, the conference organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took place from July 30 to August 3, 2025.

Themed “Rooted and Rising”, the conference schedule was packed full of activities and interactions featuring a balance of “the social, the fun, with the spiritual and service,” said Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai, Asia Area President of the Church. “They are not alone, there’s others just like them and they’re all part of this journey together.”

27-year-old Latrell Garcia, a Filipino based in Taiwan, who volunteered as the temple lead for the conference said, “There are many challenges in life that we encounter, especially these days, so I think Heavenly Father sees this conference that we need to get together, even if we’re from different countries, speak different languages, we came here to speak in one church, one love.”

Temple Day

The spiritual highlight of the conference was visiting the Bangkok Thailand Temple. The temple’s accessibility was the main draw for some participants living in countries without a temple, making it possible to receive treasured blessings only available therein.

In an unforgettable experience, Monesha Biswas, 23, from Bangladesh joined 11 other YSAs to have her personal endowment on the third day. “When I took the endowment, I have the feeling that whatever I suffered till now, it was okay if I have the opportunity to be here today. I feel peace and I just thought that I’m here, and nothing else matters,” she said.

Krishna Nepali, 30, from Nepal, participated in temple sealing ceremonies and shared, “When I closed my eyes in the temple I felt a great Spirit in my life. Heavenly Father wants me to do more [temple] work again and again.”

Other participants sought divine guidance in the temple’s refuge after the previous day of uplifting and inspiring workshops about building confidence, emotional resilience, forgiveness and positive relationships, as well as staple themes such as career, education, marriage and family.

25-year-old Veronica Mukweya from Zimbabwe, who is studying in China, reflected, “I felt answered, I got the answers to what I was looking for and I can say that was really, really powerful and a little bit emotional for me.”

Humanitarian Outreach

Meanwhile, a “joyful” 33-year-old Paul Franklin from Sri Lanka was down in the temple’s basement parking lot packing school, hygiene, and art kits at the humanitarian service project. He was joined by almost 70 more YSAs who had opted for the same activity. These 300 kits would later be donated to the Punyawuthikorn School by The Foundation for the Welfare of the Mentally Retarded of Thailand Under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen.

“The best experience that I had was people were so excited. I thought people were gloriously engaged and we were just enjoying the work – it’s super!” he recounted. As the last registrant of the conference and a first-time attendee, Franklin said, “I’m super happy I was part of this program.”

Over at the school, another group of nine YSAs were welcomed and thanked by school director Dr. Somboon Ashiraphon for an interaction session with their autistic students. The children lit up as the group engaged them in song and dance activities led by Leslie Ortega, 26, from the United States but now based in Hong Kong as a kindergarten teacher.

She said of the experience, “I think the most impactful part of this [was] just seeing how much they enjoyed us being here and how much we enjoyed dancing with them and spending time with them. Just the look on their faces made everything worth it.”

When it was their turn, the children performed on traditional Thai instruments for the group and taught them how to play along. The group also helped serve the children lunch, even feeding some of them, and mingled with them, playing music together for several hours.

Wanda Bonilla, 24, from El Salvador and now studying in China shared, “I saw Christ when we did this act of service. The fact of us coming here and sharing with them and having a good moment together was something to follow the example of Jesus Christ.”

Miracles Aplenty

Mark and Jan Hoke, senior missionaries overseeing the International YSA Conference, witnessed its growth from last year till now. “We just saw so many miracles,” said Elder Hoke with emotion. Those miracles included YSAs from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka participating this year, the 12 personal endowments received, and flying in English-speaking patriarchs to give patriarchal blessings to YSAs from home countries lacking one.  

Elder Hoke shared the experience of 25-year-old Vijaya Ganesar from Malaysia who felt led to change her mind about not joining the conference again. She ended up having a conversation with her activity leader from an external company about God’s love and life after death. As they sat through the team-building activities on the fourth day sharing and discussing further, Ganesar was inspired to share her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A quick call to the local missionaries brought a sweat-soaked but excited pair to the event venue with a Thai Book of Mormon to gift her new friend and an invitation to church the next day.

For Le Thuy Vy Huynh, 33, from Vietnam and living in Taiwan, an experience from the talent show touched her. Amidst the 13 performances showcasing various YSA talents, she recounted one of the singers struggling initially with his song. But the audience quickly joined him and took out their mobile phones with the light on to shine and wave along in solidarity, moving him to tears.

“We support each other and we give each other power – we’re here with you; don’t worry, just do it – and we finish the show. It’s wonderful, I cannot find anything like this, and [it really] touched me that moment,” she said.  

“To see the future leaders of the Asia Area in many of these young people has been inspiring,” shared Sister Jan Hoke. “There’re such pure hearts, just such good people and we can see that this gospel is going to grow in the Asia Area.”