The Newsroom Blog

Mormons Around the World: Country Newsroom Websites | 20 June

Mormonnewsroom.org pulls stories from the international Newsroom websites to show what leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are doing to better the communities in which they live.

Church Apostles Meet With Latter-day Saints Around the World

Germany: Elder Russell M. Nelson Creates First Armenian Stake
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles created the first stake (similar to a diocese) of the Church in Yerevan, Armenia. He was one of several apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who met and gave spiritual counsel to Mormons in June.

Elder Nelson Armenia 2013

Varuzhan Poghosyan translates for Elder Nelson

He also met and spoke to Latter-day Saints in Munich, Germany; Venice, Italy; Moscow, Russia; and Donetsk, Ukraine.

Mormons brought their friends and neighbors to hear Elder Nelson during Church meetings.

Read more about his visits on the Germany Mormon Newsroom website.

Sweden: Mormon Youth Hear From Church Apostle

Elder Ballard Sweden5

Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke to approximately 56,000 young people between the ages of 18 and 30 during an evening meeting in Europe. The meeting was broadcast to more than 400 meetinghouses.

Elder Ballard Sweden4

Elder Ballard explained to the members in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway how the early Scandinavian Latter-day Saints prepared the way for today’s members because of the sacrifices they made.

Go to the Sweden Mormon Newsroom website to learn more about the apostle’s visit.

Argentina: Elder Quentin L. Cook Visits Argentine University
Elder Quentin L. Cook was the guest of honor at the National University of La Matanza in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Argentina Elder Cook

Dr. Daniel Martinez, rector of the university (left to right: Terry Spallino, director of Church temporal affairs; Elder Cook; Dr. Martinez and Elder Walter F. González of the Seventy), greeted the Church apostle and discussed the educational successes the school has had with its enrollment of more than 40,000 students.

A small statue of the family was presented to Dr. Martinez by Elder Cook. Read more about Elder Cook’s visit on the Argentina Mormon Newsroom website.

Mexico: Church School Closes to Make Room for MTC
In preparation for the transformation of the Benemerito de las Americas high school in Mexico City to the Church’s newest missionary training center, students and staff celebrated the school’s history.

Mexico closure Benemerito de las Americas high school1

The closing event included a parade, speech by the school’s director, reading of the 50-year timeline of the school and the lighting of the “B” on the nearby mountain.

Mexico closure Benemerito de las Americas high school2

The Mexico Mormon Newsroom website includes more information on the celebration, and the Mormonnewsroom.org story, "New Missionary Training Center to Open in Mexico," describes the upcoming changes.

Australia: Strong Families Strengthen Society
Local Australian Mormon Church leader Elder Peter Meurs told an audience at Sydney’s World Congress of Families that strong traditional marriages and families enrich societies.

Australia Elder Meurs WCF

Elder Meurs was one of several religious leaders who participated in the Congress which calls for strengthening the natural family worldwide.

Australia Hebersham Stake Primary Choir WCF

A choir made up of Latter-day Saint children performed for those attending the Congress.

Elder Meurs tells a personal family experience on the Australia Mormon Newsroom website.

Austria: Austrian Latter-day Saints Help During Flooding

Austria flooding1

Mormon Helping Hands in Austria have come to the aid of those suffering from recent flooding.

The Austrian Church Council has been helping to coordinate relief efforts with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Local Church leaders are assessing the needs.

Go to the Austria Mormon Newsroom website for additional information on the flooding.

Hungary: Mormon Helping Hands Lend Many Hands and Backs

Hungary Flooding1

Flooding struck parts of Budapest, Hungary, in early June. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Helping Hands) came forward to help their neighbors during the flooding and cleanup afterward.

Read on the Hungary Mormon Newsroom website how Mormons of all ages pitched in with spades, shovels, gloves and other tools to help.

Pacific: LDS Charities Helps Bring Medical Supplies to Samoa

LDS Charities Pacific Partnership Samoa1

Emergency medical supplies have been delivered to the Samoan Red Cross through LDS Charities and Pacific Partnership 2013.

LDS Charities Pacific Partnership Samoa2

The six pallets of supplies are packed into modules ready to respond during emergencies such as cyclones, tsunamis and earthquakes.

Read an account of what the supplies mean to Samoa and all the multinational organizations involved in the project on the Pacific Mormon Newsroom website.

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