President of Paraguay Receives Visit from Elder Gong

The President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña Palacios, received a visit from Elder Gerrit W. Gong, an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Asunción, Paraguay.

During their meeting, they discussed current societal and global challenges, as well as the Church of Jesus Christ’s programs in welfare, self-reliance, and humanitarian aid. They also spoke about the importance of family in modern society and the work the Church carries out worldwide.

Elder Gong presented President Peña with a book detailing his family history, prepared exclusively by the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. The book contains a family tree spanning five generations, as well as records and photos of his ancestors and the cities where they lived. After reviewing the book, President Peña commented, “You cannot imagine what this means to me.”

Elder Gong said, “We had a very warm, informative and productive visit with His Excellency President Peña.”

Also attending the meeting with President Peña were Dr. Javier Giménez, Paraguay’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, along with his Deputy Minister, Ing. Rodrigo Maluff. Elder Gong was accompanied by his wife, Sister Susan Gong, Elder Alan Walker, First Counselor in the South America South Area Presidency, and his wife, Sister Inés Walker, as well as Elder Robert Rivarola, an Area Seventy, and Carlos Cantero, the South America South Area Communications Director.