Elder Andersen Visits Brazilian Saints
Contributed By Jason Swensen, Church News staff writer
In Salvador, Elder Neil L. Andersen met President Erivelton Conceiçao Bastos, whom he met some 12 years earlier when President Bastos served as a missionary in São Paulo.
Article Highlights
- Elder Andersen visited several cities in Brazil and met with members, missionaries, and local leaders.
Elder Neil L. Andersen enjoys a special affinity for the Latter-day Saints in Brazil.
As a Seventy, the Apostle served in Area Presidencies in that vast South American nation. He developed a lifelong love for Brazil and its people. Since then, he has made frequent trips to Brazil, providing counsel and encouragement to tens of thousands of members.
Elder Andersen and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, recently returned to Brazil to participate in meetings for members, missionaries, and local priesthood leaders in several cities.
Their tour included stops in São Paulo, Florianopolis, Juazeiro do Norte, and Salvador.
At each meeting, the Andersens enjoyed one-on-one moments and countless handshakes with members of many backgrounds. They returned home uplifted and inspired by the faith and goodwill of the Brazilian members.
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From left, Sister Margareth Costa, Area President Claudio R. M. Costa, Sister Jaqueline Fusco, Brazil Fortaleza East Mission President Carlos Roberto Fusco, Elder Neil L. Andersen, and Sister Kathy Andersen.
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Elder Neil L. Andersen appreciated visiting the members in Juazeiro do Norte, a city in northern Brazil, who experienced a visit from a member of the Twelve Apostles for the first time. Their faith and devotion were remarkable, Elder Andersen said.
Elder Neil L. Andersen greets members in Salvador. At right is Salvador Brazil Stake President Lourival Feitosa Pita.
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Elder Neil L. Andersen met with missionaries in each city he visited. The missionaries serving in Brazil come from nearly every Latin American country as well as the United States and Canada.
Children are the future of the Church in Brazil, Elder Neil L. Andersen said. Children in Florianopolis waited patiently to see Elder and Sister Andersen.
