In a world often clouded by uncertainty, conflict, and crisis, there remains a quiet but powerful movement: the drive to inspire and empower the next generation. At the heart of this movement is Patrick Sedivy, founder of Cumorah Academy, a leader who believes in young adults even when much of the world tries to make them feel inferior. His story, and the school he helped create, offer important insights for anyone asking the question: how to inspire young adults in today’s challenging world.
The Vision That Started It All
What motivates someone to invest their life in empowering others? For Patrick, it’s deeply personal. A father and grandfather, he looks at this generation not with frustration, but with hope. His inspiration comes from the simple, awe-inspiring experience of seeing new life — holding a newborn baby, hearing the healing sound of a baby’s laugh, and wondering:
How do you raise a child in a world like this?
Wars, economic crises, sickness, and political turmoil might cause some to lose hope. But for people like Patrick, these challenges only fuel the desire to build a better world — not just for themselves, but for their children and grandchildren.
This vision led Patrick and his wife, Allyse, on a remarkable journey. Together, they founded Cumorah Academy — a school in Europe where young adults from around the world could come, learn, grow, and transform their lives.
The Power of the First Step
For students arriving at Cumorah Academy, the first day is filled with mixed emotions. Many have left behind family, sold their belongings, or quit their jobs just to be there. For some, it’s their first time setting foot in Europe. For all, it’s the first step in a life-changing journey.
When the very first class begins, there’s an air of expectation: “Who will teach us?”
It’s Patrick Sedivy who often welcomes these students with a message that challenges them right from the start. The first class — a true Cumorah classic — is called “Givers and Takers.”
The lesson is simple but profound: there are two types of people in this world — those who give and those who take. Great leaders and changemakers are givers. They use their talents, their energy, and their opportunities to lift others. This message sets the tone for everything that follows at Cumorah Academy.
Patrick teaches that becoming a “giver” isn’t just about helping others — it’s about unlocking your own potential. True success comes when you shift your focus from what you can get to what you can give.
Patrick’s Unique Approach to Young Adults
“If you want to change your life, change yourself.”
Aria, a student from the United States, recently shared this powerful takeaway after attending one of Patrick’s classes. Watching Patrick teach is a unique experience — one that inspires deep reflection and action. Aria’s insight captures a crucial truth: if we want our circumstances to improve, we must first take responsibility for changing ourselves.
This belief lies at the heart of Patrick’s approach to working with young adults. While the world often labels them as entitled, lost, or unmotivated, Patrick sees them differently — as capable, driven, and full of untapped potential.
Born in Canada and a graduate of Brigham Young University, Patrick’s background is in engineering — though, as he often jokes, he has never actually worked as an engineer. Instead, he chose to build something far more valuable: people.
Through his teaching, speaking, business ventures, and family life, Patrick’s commitment to timeless values like kindness, service, faith, and determination is shaping a better future.
Esther, a student from Brazil, reflected on the same principle:
“I need to change myself to change my life.”
These reflections capture the essence of Patrick’s message: real change begins within. For Aria, Esther, and so many others, this simple yet profound principle will serve as a guide throughout their lives. And the truth remains for all of us:
If we don’t change, our circumstances never will.
How to Inspire Young Adults: Lessons from Cumorah Academy
Patrick’s journey and the creation of Cumorah Academy teach several powerful lessons about how to inspire young adults today:
- Believe in their potential: Even when it’s unpopular or difficult, choose to believe in the rising generation.
- Challenge them to grow: True inspiration doesn’t come from lowering expectations, but from raising them with love.
- Focus on service and contribution: Teaching young adults to be givers, not takers, unlocks their true potential.
- Lead by example: Patrick doesn’t just talk about leadership — he lives it.
- Plant seeds for the future: Real change takes time, and the investments we make today may bear fruit long after we are gone.
Cumorah Academy is more than a school. It’s a movement — a place where young adults learn not just skills for a career, but principles for a meaningful life.
You Can Be Part of This Movement
The journey to inspire young adults isn’t just Patrick’s. It belongs to all of us. Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, a leader, or simply someone who believes in the future, you have a role to play.
At Cumorah Academy, hundreds of young adults have already changed their lives — finding better jobs, expanding their careers, and discovering new hope and direction. But the work is far from finished.
If you believe that the world needs more leaders, more givers, and more dreamers, we invite you to join us.
Visit Cumorah Academy’s website today to learn more about how you can support, mentor, or even apply to be part of a future session. Together, we can inspire the next generation — one young adult at a time.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Photos by Julieta Ramirez
Supervison by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
