Smiles of youth

As Advisory Couple for the Young Single Adults (YSA) in our ward, Ron and I have taken photos of 41 of them which we published into a booklet with a short history about each. Because the youth ages 12-18 are aware of these photos they asked if we would take individual pictures of them also.

This a a group photo of the Young Men in our ward.



Two of the Young Men leaders are men who were baptized in 2010, Prince in March and Jutas in April. We attended both these baptisms and have watched their quiet transformation as hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ has enter their lives, lifted them from solemnity and registers happiness on their faces. Both have given their first talks in Sacrament Meeting and spoken with faith and knowledge born of study.








In the fourth photo are the Young Women and their leaders.

The Primary children of the Johannesburg 2nd Ward gave their annual Sacrament Meeting presentation on November 14, 2010. Elder Paul E. Koelliker also spoke, thanking the children for teaching principles of the Gospel. The 20 children range in age from 3 through 11 years. Many of the children walk to the meetinghouse on their own, with older siblings or friends. They sit comfortably among the Sacrament Meeting congregation with Young Single Adults and families of the ward.

Across the African continent we have observed in many countries and communities the people's dedication to family relationships. Many African cultures phrase it "stay" together. Extended family members live together for support, such as when attending school or looking for work. A Swahili saying encapsulates this concept in "A person is people" meaning one needs to have people around them to be a person.