Two themes about the Church were apparent both over the pulpit and on social media this week.
First, the Church is truly international: This week, Elder Ulisses Soares and other leaders spoke virtually to members in Haiti. A devotional with various Church leaders, including the Pacific Area President, was also held in Papua New Guinea and is available to watch online. Both are reminders that there are many Latter-day Saints around the world following the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The second theme this week speaks to the importance of showing up. On social media, Brother Brad Wilcox wrote about how worshipping together on Sunday gives us an opportunity to lift other people. And President Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women’s General President, talked about coming to activities, attending seminary, and speaking in church—and that as long as we have the desire to show up, the Savior will make up the rest.
Read about these topics and more below.
By Sarah Jane Weaver
A week after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, Elder Ulisses Soares asked Latter-day Saints in the Caribbean to “view disappointment and discouragement through the eyes of faith.”
“Faith unlocks the power of God in our lives,” he said.
Speaking of overcoming the challenges of the day, Elder Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Rosana Soares, addressed French-speaking members in Haiti, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique on Saturday, Aug. 21.
The devotional, originating from Salt Lake City, followed an Aug. 14 earthquake that claimed more than 2,100 lives, injured more than 12,000 and left some 600,000 in need of assistance in the nation already affected by poverty and political unrest.
In response to the disaster, the Church sent aid to the most-affected communities—providing food, water, hygiene kits, newborns items, flashlights, tents, tarps and protective helmets.
Read more about the devotional at Church News.
Papua New Guinea devotional on ‘Finding Faith in Christ’
On Sunday, August 22, a devotional in Papua New Guinea called “Finding Faith in Jesus Christ” aired on EMTV, a national commercial television station in the country. The devotional is intended for both members and nonmembers of the Church.
A stake president began the devotional by explaining that the Church is international.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global church with members like me from around the world. We welcome all to come unto Christ and learn about his gospel,” he said.
The devotional is a monthly broadcast produced by the Church in Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. Messages on August 22 focused on what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ, how we know faith in Him is powerful, and how expressing our faith in the Savior brings rich blessings into our lives. Pacific Area President Elder Ian S. Ardern also spoke during the devotional. Watch his message below.
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Featured image by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
