Salt Lake City recently witnessed an inspiring display of interfaith cooperation as 250 youth and 80 leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salem Utah Woodland Hills Stake) came together for a day of service. The event was part of the Urban Trek Youth Conference, and participants dedicated over 1,600 volunteer hours across 12 different locations, engaging with various religious groups and nonprofit organizations in the city.
The day kicked off at the historic First United Methodist Church that was established in 1906 and was home to Utah’s second largest organ. Volunteers assisted with moving furniture to prepare the church for renovations aimed at providing shelter for unhoused families.
Hannah L., a youth participant, shared her experience, noting that working with other faiths was “inspiring.”
“At the First United Methodist Church, we moved furniture, organized pantries, and cleaned up the landscaping,” Hannah said. “The furniture was being rearranged to create rooms for those in need. It was inspiring to see how similar our religion is to others; our common goal is to be Christlike and help those in need.
“Recently, I’ve faced a lot of confusion and tough decisions, but serving others brought me so much joy,” she continued. “It was amazing to see how Heavenly Father can use our efforts to help others and ourselves. While serving, I didn’t think about my own problems once. I found true joy through being selfless like Christ.”
Another group of volunteers visited The Other Side Academy, where they worked in a thrift store that supports rehabilitation programs. By organizing donations and stocking shelves, the youth contributed to a cause focused on reintegrating individuals into society.
A visit to the Chua Pho Quang Vietnamese Buddhist Temple was particularly memorable for many at the event. Reverend Tam, known for her generosity, prepared a meal of egg rolls and fried rice for the volunteers. President Averett of the Salem Utah Woodland Hills Stake, highlighted the valuable exchange with Reverend Tam.
“We shared ideas on connecting youth to God and discussed how to address faith challenges together,” Averett said.
At Fill the Pot Ministries, Reverend Ragsdale and his wife, Toni, shared their mission to help the homeless, inspired by their own family’s experiences. The welcoming environment emphasized the importance of community and compassion.
Volunteers also helped at the Krishna Temple, preparing for the upcoming Holi Festival by cleaning and organizing the grounds. This activity provided insight into the temple’s beliefs and practices, fostering mutual understanding and respect.
At the Salt Lake City Cemetery, the youth cleaned graves of notable figures, including church leaders and historical personalities, which helped them connect with the past and develop a sense of reverence.
Another group took on heavy yard work at the Heritage Baptist Church, cutting down tall thistles while learning about the church’s values through physically demanding tasks.
The Utah Food Bank provided yet another service opportunity, where youth delivered boxes of food to homes in need, underscoring the importance of empathy and action in combating food insecurity.
At Congregation Kol Ami, a Jewish community center, the youth worked in a community garden that supplies free produce to those in need. This activity emphasized the importance of sustainable support and community care. Another one of the youth, Aubrey W., said he loved learning about other faiths and making connections.
“I served at St. Vincent De Paul and Congregation Kol Ami. Both were great, but I especially loved hearing from Rabbi Sam about Jewish laws and culture,” Aubrey said. “It was cool to make connections and learn about their beliefs.”
Submitted by John Dye
