August 22, 2025, 12:00 PM MDT
The 2025 Utah Region Young Single Adults “Christ Together” conference will soon bring thousands of young single adults from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Utah to Salt Lake City.
Keynote speakers such as Bishop Gerald Casse and sisters Kristen Oaks and sister Kristen Oaks, Dallin H. Oaks sister Kristen Oaks. Breakout sessions on topics such as emotional health and church history. A concert featuring multi-platinum singer/songwriter Andy Grammar and Christian rock band Need to Brace. Social activities such as dancing and roller skating. and prayer with President Jeffrey R. Holland, the quorum representative of the 12 apostles.
Church news recently spoke to this year’s conference creative director Sarah Keller, and to the event co-chairs and young single adults, Siena Jenson and James Fetzer. They shared insights into how events like the YSA conference in the Utah area strengthened young adults both mentally and socially, and portrayed “together in Christ.”
Why YSA meetings?
Keller said the Utah area YSA conference came from rather consistent demands from young single adults for more programming. The church recognizes the importance of providing an audience-specific space, she said, especially for young single adults.
“They’re a growing demographic in the church,” Keller said. “People aren’t married at the same speed, and we need to create opportunities for them to contribute, be seen and heard.”
Fetzer, who grew up in Sandy, Utah and recently graduated from the University of Utah, said the Young Single Adult Committee he and Jenson serve are “deeply involved” in planning this year’s meeting.
“This was something we really appreciated because this is a meeting for the YSA,” he said, “I feel that this year the meeting is really dedicated to the YSA, and they know they will feel that during the event.”
Jenson, originally from South Jordan, Utah and currently attending Utah Valley University, said the team has worked hard to gather research and feedback and fasting and praying throughout the process.
“God numbers his people and knows all of us,” she said. “And we have numbers and goals to get a place, but it’s really great to be aware of the wonderful, diverse individuals we want to come and it’s there.”
Jenson continued that the goal of the meeting was to help all participants approach the savior. She also hopes attendees will feel a sense of belonging and “expand the circle of contract keepers” around them.
“President Russell M. Nelson mentioned in his recent conference talk about how he needs to prepare for his arrival, how he needs to put in more effort, more effort to get closer to his Savior,” Jenson said. “And we can’t think of a larger gathering to do that than this meeting we are ready to gather in his name.”
She continued to benefit from young single adults being surrounded by people at the same stage and connecting with people at the same stage. Whether someone is attending to learn, enjoy the activity or simply be with friends, their “why” can grow into something much bigger, she said.
“You could be this college student or a single young adult who doesn’t even know what the next day will look like, so it’s difficult to commit to a meeting like this,” Jenson said. “But whatever your reason, you’re leaving.
Speakers and breakout sessions
Among the many products in the conference is keynote speakers who deal with young single adults on the main stage of the Salt Palace Convention Center.
Additionally, on Sunday evening, August 31st, the meeting will hold a prayer at the Conference Center with President Jeffrey R. Holland, the 12 Apostle Quarter President.
Keller said all the speakers asked what young single adults needed. Bishop Caussé, for example, sat down with young single adult planning committee members and learned the questions and concerns of their minds.
The speaker said, “We aim to lift this group up here and lead. This amazing YSA group is truly the future of the church and the leaders of the present,” Keller said.
Keynote speeches are not just opportunities for young single adults to learn. According to the conference’s website, the conference also offers a variety of breakout sessions in six categories.
Emotional Health – “A tool to navigate the everyday weight of anxiety, burnout, sadness, and being human.” Spiritual Growth – “Get closer to Christ, deepen your disciples, and clarify through personal revelation.” Professional Development – “Whether you compete, build, or grasp it, you leave the tools, clarity and confidence in what you do next.”
Fetzer said the conference would provide young single adults with the opportunity to find what they need, mentally, socially, physically and even financially.
“We have the opportunity to learn how to become strong, capable, powerful, powerful individuals and loyal members of the disciples of Jesus Christ, all in order to bring it together at the same time and together,” he said. “I think the unity you feel when you are surrounded by those souls is immeasurable.”
Keller added that some of the feedback he received from previous meetings is that the number of classes and activities could be overwhelming. So this year, conference planners have tried to simplify their schedules.
For example, breakout sessions are no longer scheduled at the same time as the concert, Keller said. She said the meeting will provide orientation again this year, so people will be able to better navigate their options.
Create a connection
Outside of speaker and breakout sessions, meetings offer plenty of opportunities for young single adults to enjoy. Activities at the Salt Palace Convention Centre include roller skating, karaoke, dance, live music and art galleries. Meanwhile, the Saturday night concert in America First Field will feature multi-platinum singer/songwriter Andy Grammer and Christian rock band Need to Brace.
“If you’re interested, you’ll probably find something to satisfy that at this meeting,” Fetzer said.
Keller said this year’s meeting will also feature new additional zones with two areas: Friend Zone and Date Zone. In Friend Zone, people can build community and friendships in non-romantic ways. While in the date zone, men and women can speak in a 15-minute session. This is longer than the 3-minute window of a speed dating.
Fetzer said connection is a strong aspect of the meeting. “You want to meet the best people, those who want to worship Christ, become the best version of yourself and help you feel loved all the time.”
Jenson added that making connections is a big part of a successful meeting experience.
She will look out and help the young single adult receive instructions from the Lord.
“We have God of joy, God of experience, God of laughter. He wants us to experience the joy and music that we have created to love, and the things that we experience.
Fetzer added that the preparation for the Dutch president’s dedication reminds him of King Benjamin’s speech in the Book of Mormon. The families gathered under the tower probably spend a lot of time together, eating, telling stories and playing games. And the finale was King Benjamin’s “incredible sermon” on the power of the Savior in their lives.
“That’s what you can expect from a YSA meeting,” Fetzer said. “Fill your heart and soul with the love of others, then feel and feel the love of Christ from his special witness.”
Fetzer also shared his testimony that the Savior recognises each young single adult. They recognize their needs in a specific individual way.
“One thing that stood out to me as we have been working on this conference is that we truly belong to a living church led by the living God, the living Savior, Jesus Christ,” Fetzer said. “He is truly alive. … Christ cares about the individual. He cares about every sheep in the flock, and I am very grateful that he is his disciple and is doing everything he can to help others find him the same way.”
