Elder Soares Encourages Australian Saints to ‘Reinforce Your Spiritual Foundations’

From the Pacific Newsroom

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encouraged Latter-day Saints in Australia to reinforce personal spiritual foundations, comparing this with the need to repair the gaps that existed in the original foundation of the Salt Lake Temple due to the effects of erosion.

“Nothing is more important than reinforcing our foundations and closing the gaps of spiritual erosion in our lives,” he said. “We need to reinforce our spiritual foundations consistently and constantly against the erosion of life and the world. Nothing invites the Spirit more than when we center our lives on Jesus Christ. That is how we close the spiritual gaps in our foundations.”

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Elder Soares also expressed his love and concern for those in the Church’s Pacific Area impacted by a recent cyclone and subsequent flooding. During his message broadcast to members and friends of the Church in Brisbane, Australia, on Sunday, March 16, 2025, the Apostle said Church President Russell M. Nelson also expressed his concerns for those affected. “I am a witness of his love, and I see his expression of love for everyone through the love of the Savior,” Elder Soares said.

Elder Soares’ message was broadcast during the final 30 minutes of five separate conferences. Elder Soares attended the stake conference in the Cleveland area of eastern Brisbane. General Authorities of the Church traveling this week with him — Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela of the Presidency of the Seventy; and the Pacific Area Presidency: Elder Peter F. Meurs, Elder Taniela B. Wakolo and Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi — attended four other special stake conferences in other parts of Brisbane and south-east Queensland.

Elder Soares challenged listeners to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ and develop His attributes.

He also encouraged Church members to listen to and heed the words of the Prophet, President Nelson, promising doing so will help us “overcome any challenges we face in this life.”

Elder Soares and other Church leaders met with two families impacted by recent flooding, listened to their experiences, and offered love and encouragement. 

“As we center our lives on the Savior Jesus Christ,” Elder Soares said, “we are able to get the strength we need to go forward in life, despite all the challenges and difficulties we may face during our mortal journey.”

James Easthope, of Brisbane, enjoyed meeting with Elder Soares and other leaders. After the meeting, he said, “As President Nelson has taught us, thinking celestially helps us to have a better perspective on things. Whilst we might lose temporal things, the wider picture helps us to know that deep down it is our testimony that matters.”

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Abby Easthope added, “Thinking of when President Nelson said our joy in life has to do not with our circumstances, but with our focus, and keeping our focus on the Savior helps me to think positive, think celestial, and that helps me get through the hard times.”

Tala Solitua, who also met with Elder Soares, said, “If we follow the Savior’s path, we know we have the potential to get through all of this with Heavenly Father’s help.”

Elder Soares invited the families to turn their hearts to Jesus Christ and to “count on Him.”

“He has His warm arms outstretched at the beginning of your day, always ready to embrace you, to support you, to help you in any circumstances. Just trust Him. He understands your pain. That one I can assure you. For sure,” he said.