A Mormon apostle fills the same role as the apostles who served under Jesus Christ and who ran the church after His death. They proclaim the message of the Savior’s divinity, ministry, and resurrection, they lead and govern the church, and they provide training and counsel.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are sometimes nicknamed Mormons, has a quorum consisting of twelve apostles, plus two additional apostles who serve as counselors to the prophet. Although headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, they spend considerable time traveling the world to meet with Mormons in other countries. Following are some recent trips made by Mormon apostles:
Mormon Leader Travels to New Zealand and Samoa
Dallin H. Oaks traveled to New Zealand, where he spoke to an audience of Mormons and their guests in Wellington. He offered encouragement in the art of being Mormons in a place where the faith is a minority. President Uchtdorf suggested they get to know their neighbors, be a part of the community, serve others, and search for common ground when speaking to them. He reminded them that Mormons don’t believe being a Christian is something you do for a few hours at church, but is something you are every moment of your life. He reminded listeners to stand as witnesses of Christ at all times.
On this same journey, he traveled to Samoa, where his great-grandfather, Abinadi Olsen, served as a Mormon missionary a century ago. He told listeners there he had a special fondness for their homeland due to the stories he grew up hearing about that mission. In those days, even married men with children served missions and Abinidi became very homesick in the first days of his illness, which included illness and a struggle to learn the language. He wanted to return home, but he had a vision in which a heavenly visitor instructed him to climb a cliff. He insisted he couldn’t—anyone could see it was impossible. However, the visitor insisted, teaching him how to reach out his hand. Soon he had climbed the cliff. Abinidi understood that he had not ever really tried to master the language or to understand the culture. He needed to reach out his hand, pray, and work hard. He did and by the end of his mission, he was fluent. He remained fluent the rest of his life.
See Apostle Oaks a Samoan at heart
Mormon apostle in Japan
Russell M. Nelson visited Japan in March of 2013. He met with Japan’s foreign minister, Fumio Kishida, and justice minister, Sadakazu Tanigaki to discuss the Church’s humanitarian efforts following the tsunami that struck Japan in 2011. The Mormons provided both much-needed money and more than 400,000 service hours by volunteers. They continued to contribute after the media and other many other volunteer organizations had moved on to other disasters. The foreign minister expressed appreciation for the good influence the missionaries have on their people. It was noted that the missionaries who come to Japan develop an understanding of and love for the culture, which causes them to go back home and serve as ambassadors for Japan.
Mormon Apostle in Europe
In February, Jeffrey R. Holland headed for the United Kingdom. He met with some members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, as well as with local Mormons. He also attended an interfaith dinner and visited a Mormon chapel in Hyde Park. He served his mission in London and was present for the dedication of that chapel.
While in Europe, he also visited the Netherlands. Speaking to members there, he told them the gospel of Jesus Christ is not spread in Mormon church buildings, because most people who aren’t Mormon aren’t there. Just as Jesus Christ went into the streets to share His gospel, we need to share Christ’s gospel wherever we might be.
Mormon Apostle Meets with President of Honduras
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor to the prophet, went to the Honduras, where he met with the nation’s president, Porfirio Lobo. They discussed the church’s need for equality with other religions, a request to which the president agreed. Following the breakfast held at church offices with President Lobo, the president invited President Uchtdorf and other church leaders to join him for breakfast the next day at the presidential palace and also offered to broadcast the cultural event that proceeded the dedication of the new temple in the Honduras on the national television station. The First Lady had met President Uchtdorf previously, when she came to Utah to learn about Mormon humanitarian work.
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