Breakout Track
Covenant Relationships
251
Gather in Christ. Grow Together
A weekend conference for Young Single Adults (ages 18–35) centered on Jesus Christ — featuring devotionals, inspiring speakers, meaningful service, and unforgettable connection.
Track Presenters
Presenter:
Samuel Whitney
PRESENTER BIOS
Sam Whitney is the author of How to Date Authentically: End the Dating Game and Find Lasting Love—a book that’s flipping modern dating on its head. With a rare blend of candor, heart, and humor, Sam speaks to the quiet frustration so many feel behind the curated profiles and performative charm of today's relationship scene. His message? Real love starts when we bring authenticity into dating. As a sought-after speaker for faith-based and personal development audiences, Sam brings a refreshing voice of clarity to the chaos. He doesn’t offer tricks or gimmicks— just timeless truths about connection, courage, and showing up as your whole self. When Sam isn't speaking, he is working at the Arbinger Institute as the VP of Product or spending time with his beautiful wife and 5 crazy kids.
CLASS TITLE
How to Date Authentically: Ending the Dating Game and Finding Lasting Love
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Many of us enter dating with an unspoken script for how a relationship should unfold and how another person should make us feel. When real people do not follow that script, we may overlook the connection that could develop. This session will explore how curiosity, honesty, grace, and respect for agencycan transform the dating experience. Learn practical ways to stop treating dating like an audition and begin building relationships that create room for discovery, growth, commitment, and lasting love.
Gather in Christ. Grow Together
A weekend conference for Young Single Adults (ages 18–35) centered on Jesus Christ — featuring devotionals, inspiring speakers, meaningful service, and unforgettable connection.
Presenter:
Jordan Murray
PRESENTER BIO
Jordan was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Provo. After graduating from Timpview High School, Jordan attended Brigham Young University until she left to serve as a full-time missionary in the Independence and Kansas, Wichita missions. After her mission, Jordan continued her education at BYU, working as an editor and reporter for the Daily Universe and earning a degree in journalism. She then spent multiple summers abroad around the world, volunteered in Fiji with Help International, lived in Washington D.C. and wrote articles for NBC news, and volunteered as a Trip Leader with HXP where she fell in love with the program. She began working at HXP in 2018 and is currently the President and COO. Jordan was recently married to Jessi Noll in October of 2025 in the Ogden Utah Temple. She has served as Relief Society presidency counselor, Young Women adviser, Sunday School teacher, and, most recently, Young Women’s General Advisory Council member. Jordan loves Taylor Swift and it’s her only personality trait. And if you think you love Taylor more than Jordan, she will challenge you to a trivia-off to prove it.
CLASS TITLE
Single Is Not a Problem to Solve
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Being single can sometimes make you feel overlooked, behind, or treated as though your life is waiting to begin. It is not. This session will explore how your relationships with God, yourself, and the people around you can bring purpose and joy to your life now. Come consider how to reject limiting assumptions about singleness, strengthen meaningful relationships, and recognize the growth, contribution, and discipleship already possible in this season.
Gather in Christ. Grow Together
A weekend conference for Young Single Adults (ages 18–35) centered on Jesus Christ — featuring devotionals, inspiring speakers, meaningful service, and unforgettable connection.
Presenter:
Ashley Dyer Ward & Stephen Ward
PRESENTER BIO
Ashley Dyer Ward is a Dating and Empowerment coach for LDS singles, a nurse practitioner, and a mental health nurse. She is passionate about helping individuals partner with God in dating and singleness to create a life they love. Ashley is a sought-after speaker at YSA conferences around the world and the author of three books, including an LDS Women's Devotional, a prayer journal, and an online dating guide. She is also the founder of the Instagram page @LDSSinglesSpotlight where she spotlights eligible LDS singles looking for love. When she's not helping people find love, Ashley enjoys traveling the world, spending time outdoors, and watching "The Chosen."
Stephen Ward is a board-certified Family Medicine doctor. He completed his undergraduate degree at BYU and Medical School at the University of Utah (the rule of thumb is that whichever school he's attending loses the football game), before completing his residency in Bremerton, Washington. Outside of work, Stephen enjoys board games, singing barbershop, and hiking. He is very grateful to present alongside Ashley at this conference and offer a male perspective on what he learned from his years of singleness and dating in the church.
Ashley and Stephen got married last year in their early 30s after matching on the Mutual dating app while Ashley was on an airport layover in Seattle.
CLASS TITLE
Date Smarter: Practical Advice from a Newlywed Dating Coach & Her Husband
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Dating as a YSA can be frustrating—we know, we’ve been there (we got married just one year ago in our 30s). But there are ways to make it less frustrating.
This workshop is for you if:
- Your social media is full of wedding announcements but you can’t seem to get a second date.
- You are trying to trust God but feel like your righteous desire for marriage is continuously met with obstacles.
- You struggle with rejection and self-doubt and want to be more ready for a healthy relationship.
Our goal is to share both male and female insights into how you can “Date Smarter” and navigate some of the common issues Ashley sees in her work as a dating coach. We hope to help you make the most of your single life, date with more purpose and less pressure, and learn to build healthy relationships that last.
Gather in Christ. Grow Together
A weekend conference for Young Single Adults (ages 18–35) centered on Jesus Christ — featuring devotionals, inspiring speakers, meaningful service, and unforgettable connection.
Presenter:
JoLynn Spruance Peters & Nicole Miller
PRESENTER BIO
Nicole Miller holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Utah, received a Certificate in Drug and Alcohol Counseling through the University’s School of Social Work, earned a Master of Business Creation from the David Eccles School of Business, and served a full-time mission in Montevideo, Uruguay.
A Certified Matchmaker and co-founder of UT Match, Nicole combines her expertise in human behavior, counseling, and entrepreneurship with a passion for helping singles build healthy, lasting relationships. She has been happily married to her husband, Bart, for more than 28 years and is the proud mother of three sons. Nicole is passionate about helping singles build the confidence, skills, and faith to create relationships that lead from first dates to forever.
JoLynn brings a unique blend of education, professional experience, and passion to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies, a Master’s in Gerontology, and a Master’s in Business Creation, along with certifications in group therapy and aging. She is also a certified dating coach and co-founder of UT Match.
She spent fifteen years at the University of Utah’s College of Law, including eight years in leadership as a Director, working closely with young professionals and gaining valuable insight into the challenges, hopes and opportunities they face in relationships and life.
JoLynn and her husband, Roger, met while attending a University of Utah singles ward and have one daughter. She is passionate about helping individuals find hope, navigate modern dating, and build lasting, temple-centered relationships.
CLASS TITLE
From First Date to Forever: Your Next Date Could Start Here
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Dating can feel discouraging, confusing, or harder than it needs to be. Join professional matchmakers and dating coaches Nicole Miller and JoLynnSpruance Peters for an interactive session filled with practical insights and relationship principles that can help you date with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose. You will leave with tools you can use immediately, a healthier perspective on the dating process, and renewed hope for moving forward. The session will also include an optional live matchmaking demonstration with volunteer participants.