Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met via technology with missionaries and mission leaders from throughout New Zealand on 11 September.
Referring to the various missionary reassignments due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, he assured the missionaries, "You are right now where the Lord wants you to be."
He added, "Have a vision that what you're going through right now is something that will bless you."
Elder Stevenson used examples of missionaries throughout the scriptures who had to labour under less than ideal circumstances, including Alma, Amulek, Joseph Smith and Paul. He noted that Paul prayed, sang praises, taught, testified, and baptised.
He suggested that these missionaries from the scriptures are “examples of what you can do, even under difficult circumstances.”
Elder Stevenson assured the missionaries that the Lord would sustain them in these difficult times and that He would “consecrate their afflictions for their gain.”
Also addressing the group from Salt Lake City, Utah (USA), were Elder Brent Nielson of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Marcia; and Bishop Dean Davies of the Presiding Bishopric and his wife, Darla.
Amongst those participating in New Zealand were the Church's Pacific Area Presidency and their spouses: Elder Ian S. Ardern and Sister Paula Ardern; Elder K. Brett Nattress and Sister Shawna Nattress; and Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita and Sister Tazuko Yamashita.
A similar meeting was recently held for missionaries and others serving in Australia. Read about the messages shared in this Pacific Newsroom article.