News Release

President and Sister Nelson Begin Global Ministry Tour

Mormon prophet leaves Utah for eight destinations

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Wendy, left Salt Lake City Tuesday afternoon on the prophet’s global ministry tour. Over the next 11 days, they are traveling around the world along with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Patricia, to meet with members and missionaries in eight destinations in Europe, Africa and Asia.

 

President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency surprised President Nelson by showing up at the airport to bid the delegation bon voyage.

The first stop on the tour is London, England, where President Nelson and Elder Holland are scheduled to meet with members Thursday evening. The event will be broadcast to Church meetinghouses in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Over the weekend, the group will visit the Holy Land as Jesus Christ’s apostolic witnesses and minister where Christ taught during His ministry.

Other cities on the international trip include Nairobi, Kenya; Harare, Zimbabwe; Bengaluru, India; Bangkok, Thailand; Hong Kong, China; and Honolulu, Hawaii. The tour runs through April 23.

According the most recent statistical report released during general conference, the Church now has more than 16 million members in over 30,500 congregations around the globe. More than 67,000 full-time missionaries are serving in 421 missions. There are currently 159 temples in operation.

MormonNewsroom.org will provide full coverage of the trip, including video and photos of these historic events, for journalists and the public.

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