President Freeman Shares the Love of Christ in Japan

During a five-day stop in western Japan, the Young Women General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited youth and young adults to bring people to the Savior of the world.

“You live in a country where not a lot of people believe in Jesus Christ — but you do,” President Emily Belle Freeman said in Hiroshima. “Part of our greatest work is to bring people to Christ. As many people as we can bring. And we will bring them here because this is the place where they will feel joy. This is the place where they will find healing. This is the place where they will find Jesus Christ.”

Downloadable B-roll & SOTs

She made these remarks at a nationwide devotional broadcast to more than 225 congregations on Sunday, February 9, 2025.

President Freeman shared important lessons from the scriptures — first for the young men, then for the young women.

What the Lord said to the ancient prophet Moses is the same thing the Lord says to the young men of Japan: You have important work to do.

“[In Moses 1, God] turns to Moses and says, ‘Behold, you are my son.’ And then in verse six, He says, ‘And I have a work for thee, Moses, my son,’” President Freeman said. “If the Lord were here and was going to say something to you, He would say the same thing.”

A similar lesson for young women is found in the story of Emma Smith, President Freeman said. Section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants begins, “Hearken unto the voice of the Lord your God, while I speak unto you, Emma Smith, my daughter. … A revelation I give unto you concerning my will; and if thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve thy life.”

Later in the section, Emma is called to write, expound scripture and select hymns.

“He told Emma her voice would be needed,” President Freeman said. “He asked her to teach scripture and encourage the Church.”

The Young Women leader said one way the youth of the Church can do this is by inviting their friends to seminary and church. She shared a story of seminary students in Oregon doing this, which led to one friend joining the Church through baptism.

“Do you think you could be a friend like that?” President Freeman asked.

President Freeman serves on the Church’s Missionary Executive Council of the Church. While in Japan, she also met with full-time and future missionaries.

As she reflected on her ministry in Japan, she said, “One thing that I’ve learned about the Japanese people is they are people who are devoted to everything they do. The culture is so deep in respect and reverence, and I have loved learning about that.”

“We have talked about the joy that comes from Jesus Christ, the healing that comes from Christ. And that is something that we have felt from the rising generation here in Japan,” she added.

Following President Freeman’s visit to Japan, she will minister in Micronesia.