Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his wife, Sister Susan Bednar, and other speakers discussed ways to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ as well marriages and families last week in a devotional meeting in Auckland, New Zealand.
- Elder David A. Bednar Auckland 25 Feb 2015
- Sister Bednar with couple and baby 25 Feb 2015 Auckland
- Pearsons 25 Feb 2015 Auckland
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Accompanying Elder and Sister Bednar last night were: Elder Kevin W. Pearson, Pacific Area President of the Church; Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, also of the Pacific Area Presidency; and their wives, Sister June Pearson and Sister Wendy Nielsen.
New Zealand Latter-day Saint leader, Elder David J. Thomson, conducted the meeting which was held at the Church’s Redoubt Road, Manukau Stake Centre in Auckland’s south. Elder Thomson was accompanied by his wife, Sister Susan Thomson.
Around 800 Latter-day Saints attended the meeting in person. Thousands more viewed the devotional via satellite broadcast in Latter-day Saint meetinghouses around the country.
Elder Bednar, Sister Bednar, Elder Pearson and Sister Pearson all spoke last evening. After their remarks, Elder Bednar asked for members in the congregation to ask questions, make comments and respond to questions he posed. Subjects ranged from ways to be more consistent in following the teachings of Jesus Christ in the home and in family relationships — to counsel to those going through difficult times personally, in their marriage or family.
Sister Bednar invited a young couple with a baby to join her on the stand. She asked the mother and father to describe how they felt when their baby was born.
Sister Bednar also quoted from The Family: A Proclamation to the World as she encouraged the couple, and all families, to follow the counsel of modern-day prophets and apostles in order to qualify for blessings in their homes, marriages and families.
Elder and Sister Pearson drew on their own experiences as a couple and as parents to emphasise principles of love, devotion, communication, self-reliance and the central role that faith in Jesus Christ plays in strong marriages and families.