Young Adult Conference Focuses on Self-reliance and Service

Over three hundred young adults from across India gathered in Hyderabad last week to learn how to become more self-reliant. 

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have always believed strongly in taking care of their own needs and the needs of their families but not just the temporal needs.  Spiritual strength is also considered part of a successful and happy life. 

“Our goal with this conference,” said John Gutty, Manager, Welfare and Self-reliance Services for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in India, “was to teach young people the principles of self-reliance, to encourage them to take charge of their lives and put themselves in a position to provide for themselves and to help others.” 

Activities included personality assessment and development, resume writing, interviewing skills, managing personal finances, and setting and reaching educational goals. It also included workshops on spiritual development.

The group was diverse with as many dreams and challenges as attendees.

Nagaraj, 18, whose parents work as cooks wants to go to college but plans on serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first.  “We need to be self-reliant, to support ourselves and our families,” he said, “I earned money for my mission working as a cashier and bell boy in a hotel.”

Nagaraj found the workshop on budgeting especially helpful. “At the conference,” he said, “they taught us how to manage money, to think about what we need and how much we spend, and how to live within our means.” He added, “We also learned about how faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His commandments can create happiness and stability in our lives.”

Gubbala, 27, works as a senior process assistant in a call center. He is thinking about looking for a new job. “I realized that I need to update my resume,” he said. “I also learned what to expect in an interview and how to present myself.” Gubbala also liked learning about the spiritual aspects of self-reliance, like finding the right partner to establish a strong and happy marriage.

Madan, aged 24 has a diploma in computer engineering and has been doing marketing for an NGO while studying through BYU-Pathway Worldwide, an online certificate and degree program offered through Brigham Young University-Idaho.  He hopes to eventually earn a master’s degree.

“At the conference I learned how to go for a better job while studying and how to find jobs in sectors related to my field,” he said. “I also learned how to handle the stress of working and going to school at the same time, which was very helpful.”    

Participants also learned that living a self-reliant life includes serving others. The conference ended with a blood drive organized in conjunction with the Indian Red Cross Society. Pryia, aged 20, felt that this was a perfect way to conclude her experience in Hyderabad. "Donating blood is the best gift one can give,” she said. “I am happy to share the blessing of my good health with those in need.”  

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages all its members to seek improvement in both their temporal and spiritual lives through principles of self-reliance and service.   Additional information about LDS self-reliance services can be found here:  What is Self-Reliance--Really?