Hours after Christchurch residents endured further massive aftershocks last week, two senior faith leaders flew into town to meet with local Latter-day Saints and others in the shaken city. Elder Steven Snow, of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder Tad R. Callister, Pacific Area President, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offered local members and their friends comfort and hope.
An evening fireside held on a chilly evening was all that was needed to warm the hearts of Christchurch members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Messages of hope and encouragement were offered from the pulpit at the end of a busy day.
Elder Snow presided over the evening meeting with an audience of more than 200 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, friends, and family. Having experienced several shakes since his arrival, including one of 4.7 magnitude early that morning, he expressed his love, concern and empathy to all gathered in attendance. Elder Snow described that turmoil and trials are a necessary part of our mortal existence that will prepare us with the necessary experience for the eternities.
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Elder Snow expressed that our responsibility is to have the desire to believe, take some action towards that belief, and then seek assurance of its truth. The greatest miracle he had ever observed was the miracle of conversion, where an assurance of the truth of the Gospel is received and lives are changed. Conversion occurs when hearts are changed and when we take upon ourselves the countenance of Jesus Christ in our own lives.
For those who had experienced conversion, Elder Snow counselled them to renew their spiritual experiences in order to stay strong in the faith. "Study the scriptures, renew covenants with the sacrament, continue to take action and strengthen belief, and constantly seek the assurance that Heavenly Father has for us if we exercise our faith". Members were likewise encouraged to attend the temple, serve in callings, and continue to pray.
Elder Tad Callister, Area President of New Zealand and the Pacific, gave tribute to the human spirit and the opportunity that challenges give for people to turn to God. "There is no external influence in life that can prevent us from returning to God's presence except for our own decisions".
The Book of Mormon was described as a monumental work that is another testament of Jesus Christ, translated by the Latter-day Prophet Joseph Smith. Clarity was provided about why a second witness of God's truths was required including to provide the answer to questions about the need for baptism and how it should be performed.
President Jolliffe, Mission President of the New Zealand Wellington Mission and his wife Sister Jolliffe bore testimony of the need for people to reach out to others and to be resilient in the face of difficulty.
Earlier in the day Elder Snow, Elder Callister and President Jolliffe accompanied by their wives met with Linwood College Principal Margaret Paiti along with a representative teacher, student and parent. The group discussed the impact of the February 22 earthquake on Linwood College students and staff, including the closure of its school grounds while repairs are undertaken and the bussing of students to an alternative campus across town. In response to a request for help the Church contributed $50,000 from its humanitarian fund to provide a daily lunch for each student during term 4.
Paiti described the sorrow experienced by the Linwood College community, including the loss of a 15 year old student killed while on a bus during the 22 February quake. Many students and a number of teachers had lost their homes due to earthquake damage and many lost loved ones or employment. Paiti described how the generosity of the Church had been significant in lifting the spirits of the Linwood College and community. The daily lunch had relieved financial and organizational pressure from already stressed parents, provided needed nourishment for students and also assisted classes to settle more quickly for learning.