Thousands of kids in Rexburg for LDS youth conference

Thousands of kids spent their Friday and Saturday at the BYU Idaho campus in Rexburg for a very special Latter Day Saint youth conference hosted by the university.

The big finale of the weekend was an evening seminar Saturday night by Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Elder David A. Bednar — a once-in-a-lifetime moment for many of the kids.

For many, the weekend was about faith and friendship.

“We’re just here to help each other grow as people, and be better examples for each other,” said 18-year-old Trevyan Marley.

For Marley, the conference is an opportunity.

“It’s nice to find people who kind of have the same struggles as you and same interests, and just lift each other up from that,” she said.

To lift each other up, she said, and find new friends. It’s also an opportunity to spend time with old friends, too. Like friends Kelby Dye and Keegan Harrison, who said participating in the conference is all about keeping the faith.

“I’m hoping to become a better person all-in-all, and really become stronger in my faith,” said Harrison.

“I think coming here and being able to listen to all these great speakers, we’ll be able to get like just a lot to learn from and a lot to use in our lives,” said Dye.

More than 4,500 kids representing 20 LDS stakes around eastern Idaho were on campus on Saturday.

During breakout sessions at the university’s I-Center and other campus buildings, the kids learned about different aspects of LDS life.

Marley said, it’s all about togetherness.

“I want to pull people in, I want to meet new friends, and just let everybody have a good time,” said Marley.