MormonNewsroom.org features stories from its international Newsroom websites to share 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.
Australia: Mormon Helping Hands Assist Tree Farm Owner
Tropical Cyclone Debbie’s power left nine feet of water and 15 inches of mud throughout the Logan River Tree Farm in Queensland in late March. Farm owner Ailsa Thompson and her staff were left with an overwhelming task, made only more difficult by the loss of Ailsa’s husband and son five years ago and a prior flood in 2013.
More than 300 Latter-day Saints from the Eight Mile Plains Stake (similar to a diocese) volunteered over 1,000 hours digging the tree farm out. Unfortunately, 70 percent of the farm was lost to flood damage.
Read more about the Mormon Helping Hands efforts on the Australia Mormon Newsroom website.
Europe: President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Visits Members and Tours Three European Temples
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; his wife, Harriet, participated in a 10-day European trip.
President Uchtdorf spoke to and encouraged Latter-day Saints to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he toured the new Paris France Temple, the Frankfurt Germany Temple, which is under renovation, and The Hague Netherlands Temple.
For more information and additional photos, go to Mormon Newsroom.
Chile: Chile’s President and President Nelson Discuss Church’s Contributions
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet welcomed Russell M. Nelson, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Wendy Watson Nelson, at the Audience Hall of the Palace of La Moneda. Two other Church leaders accompanied President Nelson in the visit.
President Bachelet mentioned how grateful her country is for the help the Church’s members have been. Recently, members volunteered as census takers in the 2017 Census Chile.
Go to the Chile Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish) for two stories on President Nelson’s visit, Chile Mormon Newsroom.
Canada: From Vacation to Humanitarian Foundation
Two Mormon women, while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, discovered an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families suffering in poverty.
Louise ZoBell and Sandra Nelson from Stirling, Alberta, are currently spearheading their vision as executive director and president of the Dominican Starfish Foundation.
Read more about their efforts on the Canada Mormon Newsroom website.
Peru: National President and First Lady Honor Mormon Helping Hands
The country’s president and first lady have expressed appreciation to volunteers of the Church’s Mormon Helping Hands, along with other churches that collected 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid for victims of recent natural disasters.
The Helping Hands program reflects the desire of Latter-day Saints to follow the example of Jesus Christ through service to others.
Go to the Peru Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish) for additional details on the event with the country’s top leaders.
Ghana: A Day of Friendship and Food
Latter-day Saints participated in a West African cook-off as a way to bring people of their same age together for a day of making new acquaintances and renewing old friendships.
The food was made following the ingredients from a collection of recipes handed down from grandmothers and aunts. Some of the cultural dishes prepared were ampesi and palava sauce, fufu and abunabunu soup, konkonte and groundnut (peanut) soup, banku and okro soup.
Go to the Ghana Mormon Newsroom website to read more about the activity.
Korea: Missionaries Find Joy in Serving in Korea
ore than 70,000 Mormon missionaries are located throughout the world serving, teaching and helping to strengthen the members of the Church.
In Korea, there are over 400 missionaries serving in many ways, from taking care of livestock to helping elderly people receive their meals.
Find out more what these missionaries do on the Korean Mormon Newsroom website (Korean).