“You are a light to the world because of your faith, your service and your sacrifice,” Elder K. Brett Nattress of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told members of the Church in New Caledonia recently.
Elder Nattress was accompanied by his wife, Shawna, and Area Seventy Elder Frédéric T. Riemer.
The visiting leaders joyfully expressed their love for Jesus Christ and for the New Caledonian Saints. Their three-day ministering visits in New Caledonia were a powerful reminder to the people that God knows and cares for all His children living upon the isles of the sea.
In a special meeting with youth, Elder Nattress declared, "You don't need to be perfect. The Saviour knows that you will make mistakes. Nevertheless, He is ready to forgive as often as it is needed.”
“The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of love and forgiveness, and He is the way to find happiness!”
Jalil Thonon, a young man from the Magenta Ward (congregation) shared his feelings after the meeting. “While I was listening to Elder Nattress I deeply felt the Spirit,” he said.
Jalil continued: “I enjoyed the way he taught us with simple examples using geometry and a short video of the Lion King. We are all children of God. We should not fear, as, thanks to Him, everything is possible. I feel strengthened now and ready to prepare myself to go to the temple.”
Elder Nattress gave every Latter-day Saint in New Caledonia a picture of the Saviour, Jesus Christ and another picture of a temple, to hang in their homes. He recognised the sacrifices that New Caledonian families make to worship in the temple, as it requires travel across the Pacific to places such as Australia, Tahiti or New Zealand.
Elder Riemer expressed gratitude to the Church leaders of the New Caledonian congregations for their faithful service.
He invited them to keep their focus on Russell M. Nelson, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
He said, “When we catch the vision of the Prophet, miracles can happen!”
New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France, is a group of islands located in the South Pacific, east of Australia. There are about 2,500 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living there, belonging to nine congregations.