African Delegates Visit Salt Lake City, Meet with Church Leaders – Church News

In recent months, representatives from various countries in Africa have had the opportunity to travel to Salt Lake City, visit Church headquarters, and speak with leaders and representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sierra Leone’s First Lady Visits Church Headquarters

The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, spent October 21-22 in Salt Lake City, where she met Elder D. Todd Christofferson members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles traveled Blagopoluchiya Square and learned about the Church’s efforts to care for those in need.

Sharon Eubankdirector of the Church’s humanitarian services, and Elder S. Gifford NielsenAn emeritus General Authority Seventy, who served as President of the West Africa Region of the Church, of which Sierra Leone is a part, led the First Lady through Welfare Square.

A press release from ChurchofJesusChrist.org reported that in Bio’s meeting with Elder Christofferson, she spoke about her experience at Welfare Square, saying, “It’s a fantastic program” about the recipients who also serve as volunteers.

“They not only receive, but also give,” Elder Christofferson said in response.

The First Lady also met again with the Young Women CEO. President Emily Belle Freeman And Sister J. Annette Dennisfirst counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. They were presented during Ministry of General Officers in Sierra Leone last year.

Bio said she looks forward to hosting the annual event. Family Strengthening Conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone next year. The interfaith event is sponsored by the Church.

“This is a conference that will bring all kinds of people to our country,” she said. “As a nation, we will be ready to host, we will be ready to make sure we accommodate everything we need.”

African delegates meet with Sister Dennis

In July, delegates from Africa visited Utah to discuss violence against women. The group’s members represented 16 different countries and several organizations promoting women’s rights and safety.

The delegates met with Sister J. Annette Dennisfirst counselor in the Relief Society general presidency. They shared personal stories and talked about the challenges they face in their work. Church in Africa Newsroom reported that Sister Dennis responded with sensitivity and compassion and gave them helpful advice about serving.

In collaboration with Utah Global Diplomacydelegates also talked to organizations in Utah that focus on preventing gender-based violence and providing support to victims.

Liberian Foreign Minister Visits Church Sites in Utah

Liberian Foreign Minister Sarah Beisolow Nyanti visited Utah on June 27. She was joined by Da M. Tarr, Charge d’Affaires of Liberia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a member of the Church.

While visiting Welfare Square in Salt Lake City, Nyanti learned how the Church has made significant contributions to the global humanitarian programs that she herself helped initiate and expand during her time at the United Nations. She said she had no idea the Church was donating to the programs and expressed her gratitude and appreciation.

Nyanti also learned more about how the Church focuses on promoting self-reliance through things like supporting refugees and BYU-Pathway around the world.

On FamilySearch Librarythe team provided her with information and photographs about her family. Africa News Desk reported that the experience was emotional for Nyanti and she noticed the care people showed her.