Shepherd Others and Share the Gospel, Apostles Say During Visits to Australia and New Zealand

Contributed By Kaitlyn Bancroft, Church News staff writer

  • 24 May 2018

President M. Russell Ballard and Elder Gary E. Stevenson greet Alieta Uelese from Hastings and other Church members in Wellington on May 19, 2018.

“We are shepherding one another, and loving one another, along the covenant path. We are learning how to love as Jesus did.” —President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve

President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with local leaders throughout Australia and New Zealand.

In Wellington, New Zealand, after shaking hands one by one with all in attendance, President Ballard reminded leaders in congregations: “We are shepherding one another, and loving one another, along the covenant path. We are learning how to love as Jesus did.”

President Ballard and Elder Stevenson next visited multiple stake conferences in Sydney, Australia. In encouraging members to share the gospel, President Ballard said, “The gospel message is simple. Keep it simple and do what you can to help people feel the simplicity of this glorious message.“

Elder Gary E. Stevenson speaks with Church members in Wellington, New Zealand, on May 19, 2018.

The Church leaders joined Elder Carl B. Cook of the Presidency of the Seventy the same day for a Facebook Live event that included members of the Pacific Area Presidency and their wives. Discussion topics included increasing faith in God and Jesus Christ, strengthening family relationships, and responding to life’s challenges.

A Facebook Live event was recently hosted in Sydney, Australia by President M. Russell Ballard, Elder Gary E. Stevenson and Elder Carl B. Cook. They were joined by members of the Pacific Area Presidency and their wives.

In addition to Church activities, the BYU wind symphony completed a tour of Australia on May 18, which included concerts in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Conductor Don Peterson and BYU's Director of Music Kurt Saville also directed afternoon workshops with various local schools.

The Brigham Young University Wind Symphony completed their tour of Australia on May 18. The tour included concerts in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Elder Carl B. Cook of the Presidency of the Seventy greets members of the Church in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, May 20, 2018

Elder Carl B. Cook of the Presidency of the Seventy speaks to members of the Church in Sydney, Australia on Sunday, May 20.

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