President Hinckley Visits Caribbean, Cape Verde Saints

On his way to and from the dedication of the Accra Ghana Temple, President Gordon B. Hinckley met with Saints in the Caribbean and the Cape Verde Islands. He was accompanied by his wife, Marjorie, and Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

On Thursday, 8 January 2004, preceding the dedication of the Accra Temple, President Hinckley dedicated the new Basseterre meetinghouse on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean and spoke to members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Branch about living gospel principles and gaining an assurance of their validity through obedience. Elder Nelson spoke of the home and family as a sanctuary, counseling the Saints to apply gospel principles in their homes. Local government dignitaries attended the event, including St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, who commended the Church’s growth in the area.

On his return from west Africa, President Hinckley met with 40 members of the Sal Branch during a refueling stop on Sal Island in Cape Verde (off Africa’s western coast). Members and friends gathered in a room at the fueling service center to hear his counsel. The prophet assured the members of the Lord’s love for them, instructing them to be prayerful, study the Book of Mormon, pay their tithing, and share the gospel with their friends. Elder Nelson advised members to “follow the prophet.”

Following his visit in Cape Verde, President Hinckley met with and counseled members on the Caribbean islands of St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, Tortola, and Puerto Rico to keep the commandments and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Church News contributed to this report.