Great Blessings Experienced in Beira, Mozambique!

Crowds of over 1,500 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived by the busload to participate in the conference announcing the first LDS Stake in Beira

BEIRA, MOZAMBIQUE —

Crowds began gathering an hour early to participate in the historic conference announcing the first LDS Stake in Beira (the second in Mozambique in less than one month!)

The historic Stake Conference was presided over by Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency, accompanied by Elder Khumbulani D. Mdletshe of the Area Seventy.

The LDS Church was recognized in Mozambique in 1996, with the first branch in Maputo, the capital city. In January 1999, a second branch, in Beira, was organized. There are currently over 6,900 members in the country, with one mission.

President Dickie addressed the congregation following his sustaining, saying, “We are here now to testify of the wonderful growth of the Church in Beira. Take to heart that it doesn’t matter how many members we have or how many continents, countries or languages, what matters is that success is measured by the spiritual force of the members.”

Maputo Mission President, Paulo V. Kretly rejoiced in the fact that over the past 3 years, there have been 532 families baptized into the Church in Mozambique. He stated, “More than 2,000 people have had their lives changed.” He expressed gratitude to all of the full-time missionaries who have laboured in this part of the Lord's vineyard.

In the closing remarks by Elder Stanley G. Ellis, he bore testimony that this is Jesus Christ’s church. He urged those in attendance to help find people and help them know about the Church and of Jesus Christ. He stated, “We are His messengers and through faith, God will lead us by His spirit.”