Elder Carl B. Cook and Elder K. Brett Nattress Visit Latter-day Saints in Papua New Guinea

Elder Carl B. Cook of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Elder K. Brett Nattress, also of the Seventy and a member of the Pacific Area Presidency, visited Church members in Papua New Guinea in late February and early March.

The 11-day trip throughout the country included stops in Port Moresby, Moveave, Rigo, Gerehu, Daru, Suki and Sogere. The leaders visited with members and friends of the Church in two stakes, five districts and one mission.

Their message was one of gratitude and love. “We bring with us a message from President Russell M. Nelson,” Elder Cook said. “We love you, we thank you, and we need you.”

Elder Cook taught the saints of the importance of becoming strong, to serve others and to strengthen the Church by forming branches and wards.

He told the saints, “You can do this!”

He also extended an invitation to all young men, and young women who have a desire, to prepare for and serve a full-time mission. He said, “This will bless your lives forever.”

He encouraged the saints to minister to each other, one by one, as they prepare for the coming of the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple, which was announced by President Russell M. Nelson in the October 2019 General Conference.

“The temple will be a great blessing to the saints for generations to come,” he said.

There are 80 Latter-day Saint congregations in Papua New Guinea. Members of the Church worship in meetinghouses in their cities and villages. Those who wish to worship in a temple currently travel to Fiji to do so.

Elder Nattress taught, “The Saviour and His infinite Atonement are at the very centre of everything we do. This is His Church and He has shown us His way.”

He invited the saints to “follow the Saviour’s perfect example; to hear Him each day.”

He also invited the Church members to do three simple things: To pray every day; read from the Book of Mormon every day; and perform one kind act of service every day. All were invited to “partake of the sacrament weekly” and to “always live worthy of holding a temple recommend.”

“The Latter-day Saints of Papua New Guinea are so grateful for President Nelson’s prophetic announcement of the Papua New Guinea Temple.” Elder Nattress said.

Watch a video of Elder Carl B. Cook speaking on serving others at the Church’s General Conference in 2016.