News Release

LEARNING AT THE FEET OF AN APOSLTE OF THE LORD

Special Multi-Stake Conference in Uganda

      

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles arrived in Uganda on the 15Th February 2019 for a two-day ministry accompanied by his wife Sister Lesa Jean Higley. Elder S. Mark Palmer, President of the Africa South East Area, his wife Sister Jacqueline Ann Wood and Elder Walter Chatora currently serving as an Area Seventy were at the airport to receive them and participate in the planned meetings throughout the weekend.

The apostle’s visit is a great blessing to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the citizens of Uganda. The apostle’s message is one of Peace, Love, Unity and Hope as he stands as a special witness of the Lord Jesus Christ to all the world. His two-day ministry saw him meeting with the leaders of the Church in Uganda at a special Church Leadership Conference on the 16Th February 2019 at the Stake Center in Kololo from 09:00 – 11:40 am, followed by a special Priesthood Leadership Conference from 12:00 – 01:00 pm and finally a special Missionary Meeting from 03:00 – 05:00 pm all at the same venue. On Sunday the 17Th February 2019, the apostle met with members of the church and the public at the Africana Conference Center from 10:00 – 11:30am at a meeting that was filled with uplifting music from the church choir in Uganda.

The special Church Leadership Conference was attended by all the local leaders of the Church from the different congregations in Uganda, Rwanda, parts of Kenya and Ethiopia. The proceedings were broadcasted to Ethiopia with Amharic interpreters providing the needed interpretation. The broadcast was also transmitted to several remote locations within Uganda including Masaka. The local leaders included: Stake, District and Mission Presidents, Bishops, Branch Presidents, and all auxiliary leaders from the different organizations of the church including: Relief Society (women organization), Elders Quorum (men’s organization), Young Men (boys ages 11 – 18), Young Women (girls ages 11 -18), and Primary (children under the age of 11).

The central theme of the special meetings was appreciating the existence of a living prophet on the earth today. Elder Stevenson opened the conference with a reaffirmation that the Church is led by a Prophet who like Moses, Abraham, Noah of old, receives revelation on how to direct the affairs of the Lord’s church on the earth today. He highlighted some of the key changes that have been introduced in the past few months by the Prophet and President of the Church, President Russell M. Nelson, which included: The Ministering Program, New Balance between Gospel Instruction in the Church and in the Home, change in Sunday worship timing structure, Adjustments in the Temple Endowment, and the Combining of Elders and High Priesthood Quorums. These heaven-lead changes are a witness to the continuing revelation from a loving Heavenly Father who wants to guide His children back to his home.

The apostles urged all in attendance to follow in obedience the words of the living Prophets, Apostles and Seers and do those things that would reflect the love of Jesus Christ to all men. He highlighted the special blessing that members have, to care for everyone and specifically to take care of their assigned families through the Ministering Program. In the Sunday Meeting, Sister Stevenson focused on the importance of individual and family Prayer, Scripture Study, Obedience and living the gospel with a smile on our faces every day as we joyously seek to follow the perfect example of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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