Good things lie ahead for the Church in Eurasia, Elder Christofferson says

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By Mary Richards, Church News

The seeds of future good are now being sown in the Eurasian region of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, testified Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

When Latter-day Saints do what they can to be diligent, the Lord will use their efforts and multiply the impact of what they do. “Good things are coming,” Elder Christofferson said.

Elder Christofferson served in Armenia, the Republic of Georgia, and Kazakhstan from September 6 to 17. Church members in Russia and Belarus attended the meetings in person or virtually.

Elder Christofferson was accompanied by Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Presidency of the Seventy, their wives, Sister Kathy Christofferson and Sister Shelley Nash, and of the Eurasian Region Presidency: Elder Alexey V. Samaykin and his advisors, Elder Nikolai Ustyuzhaninov and Elder Aleksandr A ., ​​accompanied . Drachyov – all Area Seventy.

Elder Christofferson and Elder Nash spoke together about the mission upon their return to Salt Lake City, with Elder Christofferson addressing the gathering of Church members, missionaries, Church friends, and local leaders.

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“I don't think I had previously appreciated to the same extent how beneficial it is to simply be together, especially since our members are so dispersed and small in number,” Elder Christofferson said. “It just seemed to inspire a wonderful spirit, and I think it also strengthened and renewed their feelings of faith and hope.”

And most importantly, Elder Nash added, gathering to listen to someone who holds the keys of the priesthood.

“Having an apostle there elevates people and helps them feel connected to the larger church,” Elder Nash said.

Large and small gatherings

The Yerevan-Armenia District Conference on Sunday, September 8, filled a ballroom and brought together one of the largest groups of members gathered in one place in Armenia in quite some time. Members look forward to the future and have hope because of Jesus Christ, Elder Christofferson said.

A week later, a members' devotional gathered in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Sunday, September 15, bringing together members from all over Kazakhstan; it was also broadcast to community halls and locations in Russia and Belarus.

Missionary gatherings included a meeting with approximately 60 missionaries from the Armenia/Georgia Mission and approximately 20 missionaries from the Russia Moscow Mission who met in Yerevan, Armenia, on Wednesday, September 11.

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Being in a larger group and being with an apostle is “great,” Elder Nash said. “I think it helps them to know that the brothers remember them, care about them and know about them.”

Another meeting of missionaries took place on Friday, September 13, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Six young full-time missionaries and an older missionary couple from the Russia Yekaterinburg Mission are currently serving in Kazakhstan. These eight and two young men who had received their mission calls met with Elder Christofferson, Elder Nash, their wives, Elder Samaykin, and the mission leaders.

The group was so small that they sat in a semicircle, answering questions, teaching the gospel, and sharing with one another.

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On the evening of September 11, Church friends and members gathered during a devotional with Elder Christofferson in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Currently, there is only one branch of the Church in the Republic of Georgia – but it is the rising generation that is helping the Church grow, Elder Nash said.

“It was an impressive meeting, and both these friends and members were thrilled,” Elder Nash said. “They loved what they felt. A lot of people came up afterwards and were really touched.”

Meeting with leadership was an essential part of Elder Christofferson's stay in Kazakhstan. Area Seventy, mission leaders, district presidents, stake presidents, counselors and women organizational leaders from Russia and Kazakhstan met in Almaty on September 14 for instruction and training.

The meetings were inspiring and energizing, Elder Christofferson said, especially for leaders from Russia spread across one of the world's largest countries.

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During the service in Almaty, Elder Christofferson testified of the plan of salvation and urged members not to be afraid to share the gospel with others in a normal and natural way.

“The small actions of today will develop into great events in the not-too-distant future as prophesied by Biblical and Book of Mormon prophets,” he promised.

He urged them to keep records of their prayers and the answers to their prayers for the benefit of their children and grandchildren, saying these records were important for the future. “It is one of the small and simple means the Lord will use to bless your descendants and beyond.”

What members and missionaries have learned

In Armenia, Vahan Tadevosian was touched as Elder Christofferson spoke about his calling to the country and how he followed God's leading.

“This struck me because as a human being it is not one of my greatest gifts to plan things many years in advance, but throughout my life I have always felt that the Holy Spirit will always guide me, even if I am myself wouldn’t plan,” Tadevosian said.

Ralph Hovsepian said he felt the Spirit as he listened to Elder Christofferson. “I know that the Lord does his work through him, and also through the other apostles.”

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Elder Parker Burk wrote that he fasted and prayed before the missionary meeting in Armenia with a specific question in mind. “I felt the Holy Spirit hit me in a very powerful way that caught my attention very quickly. Elder Christofferson then addressed my question in a very simple way that only I would know.”

Sister Brie Ericksen realized the importance of forgetting herself and learned to invite the Holy Spirit more deeply into her teaching. “And as we do this, the people around us will begin to believe in the Son of God, that he came to redeem his people, and that he suffered and died to atone for our sins, and that he rose from the dead. '” as Elder Christofferson shares in Alma 33:22.

Frank Kantaria felt blessed to have a visit from an apostle of Jesus Christ in Georgia and expressed gratitude for his inspired leadership and encouragement to follow the Savior.

“His words and presence conveyed an undeniable spirit of peace and inspiration, reminding us of the Savior’s infinite love and the crucial role of His chosen servants,” Kantaria said.

Missionaries in Kazakhstan also shared their thoughts with Church News via email. Elder Code Shumway said one of the strongest messages he took away from the meeting was “that this is not our work.” It is the work of the Lord. And if we trust in him, he will work miracles through us.”

He said the missionaries also learned from Elder Nash the importance of the Book of Mormon as a tool in missionary work and from Sister Christofferson about loving people.

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Elder Spencer Pratt said love is the most important motivation when it comes to sharing the gospel. “If we try to pray with all the energy of the heart for this gift, we have the promise that we will receive it.”

Elder Tanner Hawkes felt like he was keeping a record of his life and how the Lord blessed him. “If we have children, we must teach them the gospel and share our experiences when we are close to the Holy Spirit.”

Elder Alexander Shek learned more about covenants with God and being a light to others. “One way to follow this commandment is to apply the principles of love, sharing, and invitation. For me, that means being a friend to someone, sharing the joy I feel in living the gospel, and inviting them to learn more about how it works.”

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