Bishop Dean M. Davies Visits New Zealand

Bishop Dean M. Davies, a member of the Presiding Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, visited New Zealand this month.

He met with Church leaders, missionaries, members and guests of the Church at a number of meetings in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

Bishop Davies is second counselor in the Latter-day Saints’ Presiding Bishopric, based in Salt Lake City, United States.  He and his fellow Bishopric members, Bishop Gary E. Stevenson and Bishop Gérald Caussé comprise one of the presiding councils of the Church.

According to Mormon Newsroom, “Since its formation, the Presiding Bishopric has been responsible for many of the temporal affairs of the Church. These have included involvement in receiving, distributing, and accounting for member tithes, offerings, and contributions; administration of programs to assist the poor and needy; design, construction, and maintenance of places of worship; and auditing and transferring records of membership.”

Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder James J. Hamula travelled with Bishop Davies during his visit to New Zealand.

Terry Oakes, Pacific Area Director for Temporal Affairs and David McMillan, Assistant Secretary to the Presiding Bishopric accompanied Bishop Davies and Elder Hamula.

Elder Hamula and Bishop Davies spoke to Church members and visitors in meetings in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington.  They spoke of their love of the gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraged members to be faithful.  

Bishop Davies told one audience: “Faith is central to everything we do and faith is a principle of power.”

In Christchurch the Church leaders saw some of the development taking place after recent earthquakes.