Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, a member of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught a powerful lesson about family, friendship and fellowship to Latter-day Saints in the Pago Pago Malaeimi Stake last week, according to American Samoan Church member, Shirley De La Rosa.
Sister De La Rosa was one of the hundreds of people in attendance at a special conference of the Church over the weekend of 28 February and 1 March.
She said that Elder Nielsen invited a couple who were recently baptised into the Church, Brother and Sister Fruean, to come to the stand with him while he was giving his remarks.
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Elder Nielsen asked the Frueans to share how they came to be members of the Church four months ago. After they recounted their experiences, Elder Nielsen asked them if they knew who their bishop was; and their Relief Society president; as well as their other leaders and teachers in their ward (congregation) and stake.
As Elder Nielsen kept identifying those who were there to help this family, eventually, everyone in attendance at the stake conference was standing up. Elder Nielsen made the point that when a person, a couple or family join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they immediately have a support network — a church family — to help them through life’s challenges.
Members of the Fruean family were lost for words as they saw and felt the love and support around them, Sister De La Rosa said.
After the conference local Church leader, Sonny Aiono, said, “We were all uplifted and reminded of our responsibility to rescue and help each other. Elder Nielsen spoke of the need to reach out and love those who need our help.”