In the wake of a binge-drinking epidemic among Australia's young people, 2,000 unmarried young adults will participate in a teetotallers’ New Year’s Eve celebration at the St Lucia campus of the University of Queensland on 31st December 2009 [beginning at 8pm in the UQ Centre which is located between Oval Number 4 and the Aquatic Centre].
In keeping with their religious practices, the young Latter-day Saints, aged between 18 and 30 years, will spend the night completely tobacco, alcohol and drug free. They will also maintain the Church moral code – meaning no sex outside marriage. Yet, according to event organisers, upholding the high standards required to participate will not stop them enjoying themselves in the best Australian tradition.
The New Year’s Eve event is part of a five-day Brisbane conference organised by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the ‘Mormons’) that will draw young adults from around Australia. Most activities will be held on the St Lucia campus.
According to conference director, Dale Maurer, the young adult Church members are vibrant in their enthusiasm for life and full of faith in their future. “These non binge-drinking, non smoking, non drug-taking, morally virtuous young people will participate in socials, workshops and service projects to build character and a sense of loyalty to their faith and our great nation,” he said.
Damien Lawton, a student at the University of Queensland, says “Some might think we are a serious bunch of people but that’s simply not the case. We can have great fun, too, but we don’t need to be inebriated or take drugs to do so. And, candidly, those who get involved in heavy alcohol use or drugs are on the long road to health problems, unhappiness and depression.”
Kelly Conlon, flying in from Sydney for the event, said, “I have visited politicians in the New South Wales and Federal Parliaments, and have seen how challenging it is to lead our country. I want to make sure that I don’t add to the nation’s problems. I want to be a part of the solution to the great issues facing the world and Australia today.”
Asked why the young adults are travelling from all parts of Australia to go to Brisbane, Elder James J. Hamula, a member of the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church, said, “Our young adults want to succeed personally and professionally and be useful citizens. They will do better in this regard if they hold fast to the values they have been taught in their homes and in their church congregations up to this time in their lives.”
Asked if they face obstacles because their standards are so different to others of their age, he added, “Nothing of lasting value comes easy, so of course there are obstacles. However, among this group of young people are those who have been ambassadors for their Church and Australia across the world. No doubt there are others not of our faith who are also significant contributors to society. But we feel our young people can be personally more effective because of the standards they have set for themselves.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the fastest growing Christian faiths in Australia. It has approx. 130,000 members here and close to 14 million members internationally.
