The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
Elder David A. Bednar’s recent ministry to four nations in the Pacific offered the Apostle a glimpse into the area’s great diversity — both culturally and within the development of the Church.
The Church in Brisbane, Australia, for example, is well-established. The first known Latter-day Saints to live in the state of Queensland — the Australian state where Brisbane is located — arrived in 1874.
Today, Brisbane is the country’s third-largest city and is home to close to 10 stakes and will soon welcome a second temple. President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple for the south portion of the metropolitan area on April 7, 2024.
The island nations of Vanuatu and Fiji, meanwhile, continue to grow as individuals embrace the spiritual, educational and self-reliance opportunities provided by the Church.
The Church in Honiara, Solomon Islands, however, is young. The first sacrament meeting there was held just 30 years ago, on Feb. 5, 1995.
Despite the areas’ differences in geography, culture and Church maturity, Elder Bednar observed a common thread during his recent ministry to those four nations. In a video posted on the Pacific Area’s Instagram page, the Apostle shared how impressed he was by the faith of the Saints in each location. “They love the Savior. They love to serve Him.”
To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
