Young adults gathered in Salt Lake City for a weekend of worship, learning, service and activities, including a concert headlined by Iam Tongi.
Voices echoed through the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City as young adults sang along to songs by "American Idol" Season 21 winner Iam Tongi on Aug. 14. Tongi, a 21-year-old Latter-day Saint from Hawaii, headlined the 2026 Utah Area Young Single Adult Conference concerts on both Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14-15.
Tongi performed several of his own songs and shared his mother’s favorite gospel song, "Consider the Lilies." Before performing the song, Tongi said he loves it because it talks about the beauty of God’s creations, including the birds, the bees, the trees and the mountains.
Throughout the night, Tongi used his music to share his testimony of Jesus Christ and connect with the conference theme, "Together in Christ." He was joined by several guest artists, including the interfaith musical group the King will come, which opened the concert. Reggae artist Junior Maile provided an upbeat island sound, while Nela Otuafi performed "How Can I Be," sharing his testimony of the Book of Mormon through song.
The concert was one part of a weekend designed to include worship, learning, service and social activities. Attendees participated in service projects, devotionals, classes, family history activities and opportunities to connect with one another. Activities ranged from karaoke and line dancing to speed dating.
Lizzy Lang, a YSA attending from St. George, Utah, said the conference was filled with the Spirit. Lang, who is working on paperwork to serve as a missionary, said the breakout classes felt like mini testimony meetings where she received revelation and inspiration.
Joseph Christiansen, a YSA from Alpine, Utah, said the conference exceeded his expectations and that the experience has been really good.
