Each year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints youth themes are selected from the scriptures studied in that year’s Come, Follow Me curriculum. So as members of the Young Men and Young Women General Presidency and Advisory Council considered choosing this year’s theme, they looked through the Old Testament and related books contained in The Pearl of Great Price.
“Imagine what stories we could have chosen,” said Emily Bell Freeman, Young Women general president.
They thought about today’s youth and what they need. As they read Moses chapter 6, they noticed the important question Enoch was asking in verse 31.
“Why do all the people hate me, even though I have found favor in your eyes, even though I am just a young man? I am slow to speak. Am I your servant then?”
The Lord’s response to Enoch in verse 34, especially the last three words, became the theme verse.
“Behold, my Spirit is upon you; therefore I will justify all your words; and the mountains shall flee from before you, and the rivers turn their course; and you shall abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.”
President Freeman said, “That answers everything he feels he’s not good enough for.”
When the presidency studied these verses and selected the 2026 theme, “Let Us Walk Together,” “It felt like a really powerful lesson for today’s youth and leaders,” President Freeman said on the Church News Podcast.
Young Men general president Timothy L. Ferns, who joined President Freeman in a podcast interview, pointed out that verse 33 says, “Choose this day.” He explained that young men and women must choose to walk that path with Christ.
And after the invitation to walk with us, the Lord said in verse 35, “You will see.”
President Ferns said, “So, ‘Choose today,’ ‘Walk with me,’ ‘You’ll understand.'” …This is the great blessing promised in this series of scriptures. ”
Lessons from the 2026 Youth Theme
President Freeman was on a mission in Europe in August 2025 when he encountered a young woman who asked, “Is there a way for me?” In response, President Freeman read Doctrine and Covenants 25 and the story of Emma Smith.
“We were reminded of how the Lord speaks to His daughters and that He has a work to do. And we remembered that His Church and His gospel have a purpose and a plan for His daughters. … This is the Lord’s way. He is the way,” President Freeman said.
President Ferns said that when Peter began walking on the water in Matthew 14, he was walking towards Jesus Christ. The miracle occurred as he began his walk with the Savior.
“Walking to Jesus sometimes means, ‘What can Jesus do for me?'” Walking with the Savior means, “What can I do for others in the name of Jesus?” And that’s when change happens,” President Ferns said.
As with Peter, President Ferns wants young people to know that they can call on the Savior to save them.
“Turn to the Lord, walk to the Lord, cry to the Lord, and He will be there to abide, to strengthen, to comfort, to give peace. His greatest desire is to walk with us.”
“Walk with me” all year long
This youth theme is used throughout the year in For the Strength of Youth meetings, camps, activities, devotions, lessons, sacrament meeting talks, and more.
During the World Youth Broadcast on January 18, President Freeman and President Ferns joined President D. Todd Christofferson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, to discuss the 2026 youth theme and ways to walk with the Savior.
President Ferns said the three themes of the broadcast (prayer, daily repentance, and covenants) were determined by President Christofferson, a prophet of God.
Youth can gather in their wards or stakes, watch in the Gospel Library, Media Library, Broadcast.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, or on the church’s YouTube channel.
President Freeman and President Ferns also called on young people and their families to prioritize participation in FSY, which truly changes lives.
Youth will be studying the Old Testament this year for “Come, Follow Me,” which President Freeman said is her favorite scripture. She loves the story of Jehovah as Deliverer and Rescuer.
Every time she starts studying or preparing a lesson, she writes at the top of a piece of paper, “Where is Jesus?” Reading the Old Testament with that lens allows her to see God everywhere in the book.
“There are many things that point us to Christ, and I think if we look at it through the lens of finding Christ in every story, it can help us know and understand Him and inspire us to walk with Him,” President Ferns said.
