Elder Holland Visits Bosnia and Hungary

Almost 1,000 Hungarian Church members gathered to hear Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during his recent visit to Hungary.

Elder Holland spoke to them of his admiration for the Hungarian freedom fighters, then compared that group who strove for freedom to the Hungarian members and missionaries. He also spoke of the importance of temple sealing ordinances. Calling a young mother and child to the stand and holding the youngster in his arms, Elder Holland explained that the sealing bond was so strong “that no external power could break it if we remain faithful to the covenants we make. Heavenly Father has a plan prepared where all families can be sealed together forever in his holy temple.”

He encouraged members to share the gospel with others. “You are the only way they will learn about these truths,” he said. “The people of Hungary have the right to know that they can be safe and that through the gospel their children can never be taken from them.”

After meeting with the Saints in Budapest, Hungary, Elder Holland, accompanied by Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the Seventy and his wife, LeAnn Clement Neuenschwander, traveled to Taszar, Hungary, where they met with some 20 members. They were also joined by servicemen and servicewomen who had traveled from the border of Croatia and the Serbian-held region of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Next, Elder Holland went to Ruzla, Bosnia, and met with about 70 American service personnel staying in base camps in the area. In his address, Elder Holland told them that though they were thousands of miles from home, they were not alone.

“I can see in your faces the faces of your loved ones—your mothers and fathers, your sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters, and the loved ones who are praying for you and looking forward to your return. … They are lending their support to you in whatever ways they can, and you need to acknowledge their efforts and love them for their concern and interest in you, even as you have great concern and interest in them.”