First Lady of Sierra Leone Visits Church Sites in Utah

“I’ve had a wonderful time, and I’ve learned so much,” said Fatima Maada Bio, the first lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, as she wrapped up a two-day visit to sites of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah.

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Her Excellency toured Welfare Square in Salt Lake City on Monday, October 21, 2024, where the Church assists those in need. The tour was led by Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, an emeritus member of the Seventy and former president of the Africa West Area, and his wife, Wendy, and Sharon Eubank, director of Humanitarian Services for the global Church.

“You’ll see how the Lord has organized His Church here to teach self-reliance principles and help those people in need so they can get back on their feet to help someone else,” Elder Nielsen explained to the first lady.

“We do this out of our faith in the love of Jesus Christ,” said Sister Eubank. “We want to give evidence that we love God by loving our neighbors.”

On Tuesday, the first lady met with Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman and Sister J. Anette Dennis of the Relief Society General Presidency in the Relief Society Building on Temple Square. The sisters were introduced to Her Excellency during a visit to Africa last year.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, his wife, Kathy, and Elder Michael T. Ringwood and his wife, Rosalie, hosted the first lady for dinner atop the Church Office Building.

Elder Christofferson and Her Excellency discussed her experience at Welfare Square while taking a bird’s-eye view of the city from the 26th floor.

“That’s a fantastic program,” she told the Apostle after learning that recipients also serve as volunteers.

“They give as well as receive,” said Elder Christofferson. Welfare Square includes a bishops’ storehouse, bakery, grain silo, canning facility, thrift store and more.

The first lady of Sierra Leone also visited Holdman Studios in Lehi. The studio makes much of the art glass installed in temples around the world, including the Freetown Sierra Leone Temple, which is under construction.

Her Excellency is looking forward to hosting the Strengthening Families Conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone, next year. This is an annual interfaith event sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ.

“It’s a conference that will bring diverse people to our country,” she said. “As a nation, we’ll be ready to host, we’ll be ready to make sure we put everything in place that is needed.”

The first lady said she will remember her visit to Utah for a long time.

“It’s a wonderful city, beautiful people, a very holy people, people that believe in humanity,” she concluded. “I’m very grateful to be here.”