‘A day never to be forgotten’ when Elder Christofferson ministers in Ethiopia

Later Meetings in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and before Attend the Unveiling of the Statue of Joseph Smith in India, Elder D. Todd Christofferson The Council of the Twelve Apostles serving in Ethiopia and Kenya in the Central Africa region.

In addition to meetings with members and missionaries, Elder Kristofferson also met with other religious leaders and government officials and connected electronically with members in Uganda.

As Elder Christopherson taught missionaries in Ethiopia on Sunday, November 20, President Robert DudfieldThe president of Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa mission said the meeting was “full of spirit.”

“Elder Christopherson taught sound doctrine and then took the time to answer the thoughtful questions of many of our missionaries,” said President Dudfield. “It was a special experience for our mission. We really felt the hand of the Lord touch us on this day through His chosen servant. It was a day to never forget.”

President Dudfield said that the apostle took the time to greet each missionary. He called it a special moment for the group, many of whom were part of Withdrawal to Kenya in November 2021,

Meetings with missionaries and members were held in the Magnagana Chapel, built among trees and gardens in the city of Addis Ababa. That day, the families were eating lunch in the grassy areas of the grounds. President Dudfield said that Elder Kristofferson stepped away from the day’s program to meet, greet, minister to, and uplift people outside the Church.

“The agenda took care of itself but watching Elder Kristofferson take the time to minister as a witness to the Savior was very special. The enthusiasm of everyone involved that day ran high,” said President Dudfield.

Elder Ian S. ArdernElder Christopherson, second counselor in the General Authority Seventy and Central Africa Area Presidency, spoke with more than 400 members about his calling as an apostle and a special witness of Christ.

Elder Ardern said, “He taught that as members of the Church, each of us can show, by what we say and do, that we are followers of the living Christ and thus his witnesses.”

Ethiopia District President Ephrem A. with Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on November 20, 2022 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mekonnen with his wife, Sister Yetimwork Getachew Assefa, and their child, Ezra.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

As members reflected on the experience, they expressed how the visit of an apostle of the Lord had touched their lives.

Rachel Alemayehu said: “It was such a blessing for me to see Elder Kristofferson in Ethiopia. He helped me to know more fully that Jesus knew and loved me.”

Kasahun Mengesha expressed his feelings by saying: “It was a great privilege for me to meet an apostle of the Lord. We were blessed by his teachings. I felt the Savior’s love when He smiled at us. It will remain one of the best moments of my life.”

Gideon Getachev Ayana wrote: “I have no words to express my feelings. Being with an apostle was a great blessing to me and my family. I have truly felt the Spirit give me more hope, more strength and more direction to lead my family. It’s a wonderful time to be a member of the gospel.”

Outreach in Ethiopia

Elder Christopherson was joined by his wife, Sister Cathy Christopherson, in Ethiopia; Elder Ardern, and his wife, Sister Paula Ardern; Bishop Gerald Causey the Presiding Bishop and his wife, Sister Valerie Causey; And Elder S. mark palmer The Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Jacqueline Palmer.

While in Ethiopia, Elder Kristofferson met with Ambassador Musi Hailu, representative of the Joint Religious Initiative at the United Nations and the African Union, and Masoud Adem, deputy secretary general of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia.

Elder Kristofferson spoke about the church’s desire to help and connect with other groups as the Savior taught and did.

Ambassador Musi Hailu from the United Religions Initiative, Elder D. Todd Christopherson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Massand Adem from the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia pose for a photo in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 20, 2022.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Many of Ethiopia’s 121 million residents participate in religious observances, which include Orthodox churches or mosques. Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first arrived in Ethiopia about 30 years ago, and today, two chapels and five rented buildings are counted among the churches that dot the land.

Elder Ardern said it was wonderful to be with the church leaders and their wives in Ethiopia.

“as [Elder Christofferson] Speaking with members and missionaries in meetings and one-on-one, it was clear that he loved them, and the members felt that love. How fortunate we are to have the Apostles travel the world to teach, testify and bless Church members and friends, and it was the privilege of the Saints in Ethiopia today,” said Elder Ardern.

meetings in kenya

On Friday, November 18, Elder Christopherson held a meeting for the missionaries in the Kenya Nairobi Mission at the Upper Hill Ward building in Nairobi.

Kenya Nairobi mission president David Sturt said the missionaries were spiritually ready to listen to Elder Kristofferson’s message and deepen their testimony of the living apostles.

“The most powerful moment for me came when a missionary asked Elder Kristofferson what it meant to be a special witness for Jesus Christ. His answer was the most powerful and clear testimony of the risen Christ I have ever heard,” said President Strutt. “The Spirit took it into our hearts, and will be something we will never forget.”

Elder Thierry K. mutombo, General Authority Seventy and First Counselor in the Africa Central Area; his wife, Sister Nathalie Mutombo; Elder Matthew L. carpenterThe president of the General Authority Seventy and Central Africa Area, and his wife, Sister Shelley Carpenter, joined Elder Christopherson in Kenya.

Senior interfaith leaders in Kenya eager to meet the apostle for the first time, after word of his evangelization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reported Church Africa Newsroom,

A luncheon was held in Nairobi for leaders of the religious community, including the Hindu Council of Kenya, the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, the Women’s Faith Alliance of Kenya, the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Muslim Leaders Platform included. , and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims.

“We associate with like-minded people for the things of the Lord. I want you to know that it is not necessary that we all believe in the same things,” Elder Kristofferson said at the meeting. “We can share common values ​​and work together on the things that which we all agree are important and a priority. We hope that we can be a force with you and cooperate with you for common purposes.

In response, Abdirahman Ismail, executive director of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, said: “We want to work together to take this good work forward, while ensuring that our communities live in harmony. We only deal with matters of faith. We don’t just engage in – faith is much wider than our places of worship. We engage in national development and social discourse and above all ensure peace, so that our country lives at peace.”

Religious leaders were given copies of the Book of Mormon as well as materials to strengthen the family.