(Summarized from THE CHURCH NEWS)
The 2024 Utah Area Young Single Adult (YSA) Conference is set to take place from Friday, August 2, through Sunday, August 4, in Salt Lake City. This year’s event will follow a more traditional conference format compared to the inaugural 2023 event, which featured 30-minute TED Talk-style messages titled “Christ Daily.” This year’s format includes morning keynote addresses followed by hour-long breakout sessions, with afternoon keynotes capping off each day. The conference will also feature concerts, dances, a devotional, and a two-day convention on August 2 and 3.
Keynote Speakers and Musical Performances
On Friday, August 2, the morning keynote address will be given by Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman, while Elder Kyle S. McKay, General Authority Seventy and Church historian, will deliver the afternoon keynote. The following day, Saturday, August 3, Sharon Eubank, director of Humanitarian Services for the Church and former first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, will give the morning keynote. Elder Kevin W. Pearson, General Authority Seventy and president of the Utah Area, will provide the afternoon keynote address.
The main stage will also host a variety of Latter-day Saint musical artists. On August 2, musical trio Gentri and pianist William Joseph will perform, while on August 3, “American Idol” Season 21 winner Iam Tongi and country music group Due West will take the stage.
Breakout Sessions and Topics
The convention’s breakout sessions will cover four key areas: emotional wellness, personal development, spiritual growth, and temporal well-being. These sessions will feature a diverse group of speakers, including mental health professionals, Brigham Young University professors, certified financial planners, and seminary teachers.
Haley McFadden, a young single adult on the conference’s planning team, played a significant role in coordinating speakers for this year’s event. The team opted for a traditional convention format to better connect with the audience. They selected the class categories based on recommendations from the Utah Area presidency and feedback from young single adults about topics of interest.
Some notable speakers include author Ganel-Lyn Condie, life coach Matt Townsend, and Seth Bigelow, senior manager over health services for the Church’s workforce. Jared Halverson, a BYU professor who teaches in the Ancient Scripture Department, will lead a breakout session on “Intentional Scripture Study” on August 2, aimed at helping young single adults improve their scripture study habits.
Additional Conference Activities
The conference schedule includes various activities designed to foster community and faith-building among participants. On Friday and Saturday, August 2-3, attendees can engage in service opportunities, classes, and other activities. Concerts will take place at the Delta Center, featuring performances by singers Ben Rector, Rachel Platten, and Emma Nissen. There will also be dances and other evening entertainment.
On Sunday, August 4, the conference will culminate with a devotional at the Conference Center, featuring Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Additionally, on July 27, young single adults can participate in local gatherings for service projects, 5K runs, temple trips, and other events.
Registration and Tickets
Conference tickets are priced at $50 and include access to the convention, concert, and dances. Tickets can be purchased at utahysaconference.org. The devotional on August 4 requires a separate, free ticket, which can also be obtained through the same website. Conference registration is not necessary to get a ticket for the devotional.
The conference organizers are hopeful that this year’s format will better connect with the audience and provide a valuable experience for all attendees. Jared Halverson expressed his enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the importance of learning and community-building. He encouraged young single adults to attend, noting that the conference offers a unique opportunity to have fun, build faith, and create lasting connections.
For more information and updates about the 2024 Utah Area Young Single Adult Conference, attendees can visit the official website at utahysaconference.org or follow the event on Facebook and Instagram at @utysaconf.
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Guest Author
J Washburn
