As President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints approached his 100th birthday earlier this year, he invited everyone to give a gift of love to someone in need. The prophet’s invitation yielded important fruit and encapsulated the spirit of Christ in any age — including the work of the Church of Jesus Christ today.
Latter-day Saints seek to pattern their life after Christ’s, care for people in need, invite the world to receive Christ’s teachings and unite families for eternity.
This page is a look back at how the Church of Jesus Christ continued to do this in 2024.
Caring for People in Need
The Church expanded its efforts to help women and children under 5 worldwide. The faith, which spends more than US$1 billion annually on humanitarian projects, gave $55.8 million to help 12 million children and 2.7 million women.
Early this year, we visited Liberia to see some of the fruits of the global work the Church helps the World Food Programme accomplish to address food insecurity.
Latter-day Saints reached out in love in their communities after natural disasters. For example, more than 21,000 volunteers mobilized over six weeks across five states to lend a helping hand after Hurricanes Helen and Milton. The Church also mobilized its membership and resources after flooding in Spain. Other projects included $8 million for school meals in Haiti, vaccinations for 5.2 million children in Ghana, $2 million for a Toronto food bank, and disaster relief in Chile, Japan, Sierra Leone and the Philippines.
This year, the Church’s Giving Machines are in more locations than ever — 107 cities in 13 countries on five continents, including the first in Africa and Asia. Millions of items have been donated through Giving Machines since 2017, valued at more than US$32 million.
As always, part of the Church of Jesus Christ’s outreach included interfaith service. For example, a youth conference in Yuba City, California, transcended religious boundaries. Some 200 youth gathered at the Sikh Temple Gurdwara to learn about the values and practices Sikhism shares with the Church of Jesus Christ — and to serve.
Uniting Families Forever
Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ are where Latter-day Saints participate in sacred ceremonies that unite families forever. Latter-day Saint leaders dedicated 16 of these sacred structures in 2024, and President Nelson announced the construction of 32 more.Treasured Symbol Returns Atop Salt Lake Temple
In April, the angel Moroni statue was returned to the top of the central east spire of the Salt Lake Temple. This house of the Lord has been undergoing a major seismic and foundational upgrade since the beginning of 2020.
While certain areas of Temple Square remain closed, visitors can enjoy the newly renovated Church Office Building Plaza and adjoining Main Street Plaza, completed earlier this year.
In November, the 100-year-old prophet dedicated the Church’s 200th temple.
“When I contemplate the privilege of dedicating the Deseret Peak Utah Temple this weekend, I am filled with awe at all the Lord is doing for His people,” President Nelson said. “When I was born, there were just six operating temples in the Church. The Deseret Peak Temple will be the 200th in the world. Just think of it! It took the Church until the year 2000 to dedicate the first 100 temples, and now, just 24 years later, we are dedicating the second 100. The Lord is truly hastening His work. I am filled with gratitude for the Lord’s mercy in guiding us to bring temples closer to members of the Church throughout the world.”
Inviting All to Receive Christ’s Teachings
President Nelson said, “The best is yet to come … because the Savior is coming again. The best is yet to come because the Lord is hastening his work. The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ.”
The prophet’s counselors, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the General Officers traveled the world, sharing their message through words and deeds.
At a devotional in Arizona, President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency said the life, ministry, atoning sacrifice and Resurrection of Jesus Christ are “deserving of greater attention.” Jesus, he added, has “done everything that is essential for our journey through mortality toward the destiny outlined in the plan of our Heavenly Father.” At a temple dedication in southern Utah, President Henry B. Eyring taught that “you will find a joy in your service [in the house of the Lord] that is available in no other way.”
President Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited the Dominican Republic — his first international trip as the quorum’s Acting President. He encouraged people to “be believing.” “What The Church of Jesus Christ [of Latter-day Saints] must have to begin our journey and see the Church and the gospel triumph is the commitment to have faith, to believe,” he said.
In a message for single adults, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said the teachings of Jesus Christ are the answer to our fears. “Jesus Christ is the strength of youth. He is the strength of young adults — He is the strength of all of us.” In Peru, Elder David A. Bednar encouraged young Latter-day Saint professionals to let their commitment to Jesus Christ help them bless others. “We have the responsibility to become the light that shines in a world that seems to be growing darker,” Elder Bednar said. “We should be the happiest of all people because of what we know about who we are and why we are here.”
Speaking to a journalist in South Korea, Elder Quentin L. Cook said the core of being a Christian is loving others. “If you look at the Savior’s example,” Elder Cook said, “He didn’t spend all his time with those who completely agreed with him. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
During a visit to a hospital in South Africa that helps care for premature babies, Elder D. Todd Christofferson felt the love of God for each child.
“We felt as we visited the very tiny children and some of the older pediatric care children, patients and mothers that each life truly matters. Everyone is sacred. Each one is a child of God,” said Elder Christofferson. “There was, for me at least, a very deep feeling of how real that is when you see the life hanging in the balance and the tender child and the tender care given.”
While in the Philippines, Elder Neil L. Andersen counseled on forgiving someone: “In the forgiveness, you don’t let it canker your own heart. You try to get your mind to how the Savior thinks. He had so much done against him. Yet when He was on the cross, what did He say? ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And that’s what you have to say.”
Elder Ronald A. Rasband reminded those affected by deadly wildfires in Maui that God will be with them.
“Good things come from Jesus Christ,” Elder Rasband said. “I pray He will turn ashes to beauty for you. I know the Lord loves you. I know Heavenly Father loves you. No one here needs to feel alone. We are all sons and daughters of loving Heavenly Parents, and Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, the High Priest of good things to come.”
Elder Gary E. Stevenson taught journalists in Kenya what Apostles do. “If people are familiar with Christianity, they’re familiar with Apostles,” he said. “We too are called to go into the nations of the world and bear witness of the divine sonship of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.”
In Cambodia, Elder Dale G. Renlund became the first Church leader to meet with the country’s prime minister. The Apostle told the national leader that the Church of Jesus Christ is donating nearly US$2.2 million to build a heart hospital in Siem Reap (318 kilometers south of Phnom Penh). The objective is to bring better health care to Cambodian provinces. This will bless people like the prime minister’s own uncle, who died in another province from an acute coronary syndrome.
In Brazil, Elder Gerrit W. Gong comforted those affected by devastating floods in Porto Alegre. “We’ve been greeted by senior government officials who have been very appreciative for the wonderful cooperation as neighbors and friends and community members, as brothers and sisters with our Church members and our Church leaders,” Elder Gong said. “It’s just tender and sacred to be reminded that in the hardest of times, we’re never alone. In the hardest of times, the Lord is with us, and He helps us, and He blesses us — and we do it together. It’s part of covenant belonging.”
In Spain, Elder Ulisses Soares encouraged flood survivors in Valencia to trust in Jesus Christ. “My dear brothers and sisters, we love you deeply and want to be close to you. That’s why we are here. I hope you can feel our Heavenly Father’s love for you, as well as our love,” he said.
Elder Patrick Kearon ministered in Florida, Liberia, Nigeria, the Philippines and elsewhere. At the beginning of the year, the newest Apostle (called in December 2023) spent three hours in one day talking to members of the media. He shared a message of love and hope.
“To anyone who’s hurting, feeling alone, feeling forgotten, feeling neglected or mistreated, I pray that you will find peace from the source of all peace [and] from the love of your Father in Heaven, who adores you, believe it or not,” Elder Kearon said. “His Son, our Savior, will put all of this right for you — and I hope soon. But certainly, ultimately. That’s my wish. And it’s also my promise on His behalf.”
In Costa Rica, Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson fed lunch to those in need. “It’s hard for me to describe in words how I felt,” she said. “It really felt like we were doing what the Savior would have us do in blessing these families with food.”
Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman visited humanitarian sites in northern Europe, including a Ronald McDonald House in Dublin. “Part of the great work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to provide relief,” she said. “To take care of all of God’s children is a remarkable thing.”
Primary General President Susan H. Porter ministered in the Caribbean with a message of love and unity. She said God inspires us to help others. She encouraged the Saints to face their burdens with an outward focus, reminding them Heavenly Father is always willing to answer prayers.