One of the most anticipated parts of the youth theme release each year is a new album of music produced specifically to support the core message of the year’s theme.
Songs from these albums have been streamed hundreds of millions of times in dozens of languages and in more than 200 countries in the past few years.
Benjamin Josiah sings on this year’s album and said he felt blessed to be chosen to sing this year’s theme song.
“The message of this song to me shows how I can lean on Christ,” said Josiah, adding, “the music video portrays disciples of Christ sharing their light with others. I strive to be someone who sits next to another who is feeling alone to share that light with them.”
On Dec. 31, 2023, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published the music video for this year’s theme called “Disciple of Christ.” This year’s video was filmed in Sweden and Finland.
The theme, announced Oct. 27, 2023, comes from 3 Nephi 5:13, where Mormon says, “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
Nik Day has written many of the youth album songs over the past six years, including theme songs like last year’s “I Can Do All Things,” 2022’s “Trust in the Lord,” “A Great Work” from 2021, and “I Will Go and Do” from 2020.
Day said he felt this year’s theme is special because of how it focuses on the Savior and becoming like Him.
“A lot of times we ‘follow’ people on social media or want to build our ‘followers,’ but the only being we should truly follow is Christ. We need to try to be like Him, say what He would say, serve as He would serve,” Day said.
In the final scene of the Church’s 2024 youth theme music video, a young woman picks up a lantern as the year’s theme scripture of 3 Nephi 5:13 appears on the screen.
Screenshot from the @StriveToBe YouTube
The full album of a dozen new songs was scheduled to launch on Friday, Jan. 5, and will be available on the Church’s Children and Youth website, the Gospel Library, Strive to Be YouTube channel, Spotify and Apple Music.
Day sings a song on this year’s album called “Diamond.” He said that the message of the song is that individuals can turn themselves over to Him in whatever state they may be, and He will turn them into something beautiful despite their imperfections.
“With pressure and love, he can turn us into diamonds, if we let him,” Day said.
‘Disciple of Christ’ lyrics
Lanterns float on the water in the 2024 youth theme music video.
Screenshot from YouTube
When the stars burn out and the strong winds come,
I will lift my eyes to the rising sun.
He is the Prince of Peace;
He steadies my soul.
I am His hands and feet.
The whole world will know.
Chorus:
Lanterns float on the water in the 2024 youth theme music video.
Screenshot from YouTube
I’m a disciple of Christ;
I will never leave Him.
He is the truth and the life;
He’s the strength in my weakness.
I will shine ’til the whole world sees
He’s the light that will set us free.
I’m a disciple of Christ.
Lanterns float on the water in the 2024 youth theme music video.
Screenshot from YouTube
Out of all the paths that I could take,
Giving Him my life was the only way.
He is my fire by night,
The air in each breath.
So I’ll stand and testify
Again and again.
(Repeat chorus x2)
The Strive to Be Facebook cover image for 2024 is an adapted illustration of the year’s youth theme that includes the word “disciple” in dozens of languages.
Strive to Be Facebook page
Previous youth theme music videos
Last year’s theme of “I Can Do All Things Through Christ” came from Philippians 4:13. The music video was filmed in the Dominican Republic.
The 2022 youth theme was “Trust in the Lord,” based on Proverbs 3:5-6.
In 2021, the youth theme was “A Great Work” and came from Doctrine and Covenants 64:33-34.
The 2020 youth theme of “I Will Go and Do” was the last theme based on a verse from the Book of Mormon. It comes from 1 Nephi 3:7. The video was filmed in New Zealand.
Filmed in different parts of Asia, the 2019 youth theme video was titled “If We Love Him” and came from the Savior’s words in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
“Peace in Christ” was the youth theme in 2018 and rose in popularity through 2020 when the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions led many individuals to seek for peace through the Savior. The music video for that song was filmed in Brazil.
