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Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles addressing members and friends of the Church during a devotional which was broadcast across Western Australia.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, concluded his visit to the South Pacific this past weekend in Perth, Western Australia.
Around 4,000 people attended a devotional on Saturday evening, either in person or via broadcast. Approximately 1,500 people attended two special conferences on Sunday.
In a meeting with leaders of Latter-day Saint congregations from across Perth on Saturday morning, Elder Andersen referred to recent teachings by Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church.
“In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns ‘with power and great glory,’ He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.”
He continued, “Nonetheless, we are presently living in what surely is a most complicated time in the history of the world. The complexities and challenges leave many people feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.”
Elder Andersen said, “The miracles of the Lord are real.” He encouraged those in attendance to “see through believing eyes, trust Him, trust in your faith and look for things that happen to you.”
In a meeting with missionaries serving in Perth later that day, Elder Andersen said, “Every time you bear witness of the Savior and His mission, you are fulfilling your calling and purpose as a missionary.”
He further urged them to, “Go before your Heavenly Father in prayer and seek His strength and power of faith to keep strong all the days of your life.”
On Saturday evening, Elder Andersen met with members and friends of the Church from across Perth. The meeting was broadcast to other Church congregations and members’ homes across Western Australia.
Elder Andersen was accompanied by his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen. Sister Andersen shared her experience of being taught by her mother the importance of paying tithing. She said that “10% belonged to the Lord” and she wanted “to be right with the Lord.”
Elder Andersen added that “tithing is so very important to the multi-generational nature of the Church.”
Quoting President Gordon B Hinckley, he said, “tithing is not a question of money, it is a question of faith.”
Elder Andersen said, “I want to leave a feeling of hope and a feeling of anticipation and expectation on your part that we will be there with the Savior. That it won’t be a small group, but they will come from every nation, every continent, every race, and every culture.”
In his remarks, Elder Peter F. Meurs of the Seventy and a member of the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church, invited all to “come back to the Savior by partaking of the sacrament.” He also invited all "to come to His house, the Temple of the Lord.”
One Perth Latter-day Saint leader, Geoff Grant, said, “The overwhelming spiritual impression I received tonight was to take time each day to find the Saviour. I find Him in prayer. I find Him in the scriptures. I find Him listening to His servants. I find Him at the sacrament table. I find Him in the temple. I know we don’t have to look too hard to find Him. I testify that He lives.”
Another attendee, Kate Anderson, said, “When I heard all those voices of other saints singing the opening hymn, I felt so happy to be gathered with them to hear an Apostle of the Lord.”
She added, “I loved it when Elder Andersen said to have hope in the future and to be confident in what the Savior can do for me.”
A young man preparing to serve a mission, Jared Hemara, said, “I felt like there were a lot of personal messages reminding me of the path I am walking down.
The quote that stood out to me was when Elder Andersen said: ‘We will be judged by our work in our sphere of influence.’ It reminded me we all play an important role in the gathering of Israel.”
On Sunday morning, Elder Andersen presided over a special conference for members and friends of the Church from Rockingham and surrounding areas.
He thanked the members for having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He taught them that “the power of a father and a mother putting indelible faith in a child is great.”
He added that parents need to teach their children about the Holy Ghost, to teach them to have hope in the future, and to have hope in the eternities.
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Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks at a special conference for members and friends of the Church in the Rockingham region of Western Australia.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.His love for all was evident, as he said, "I bless you that you will see yourselves in a little greater way as eternal beings who are loved by your Heavenly Father and are prepared to come back and live with Him forever; and realise that this is part of your divine destiny. I bless you to receive assurances to your prayers, and in your very quiet moments He will speak peace to your minds and give you confidence to have faith in Him, to give your lives for Him, and keep His commandments in all the ways you can."
One attendee, Annette Bennett, said, “I felt the love from Elder Andersen as he was watching us sing the intermediate hymn, ‘Behold A Royal Army.’ He was smiling with so much joy, the spirit touched my heart. I also could not stop smiling as I felt his sincere love for the Rockingham Stake saints. It was awesome!”
Elder Andersen bore a strong witness of the Savior Jesus Christ in each of the meetings he attended. In his concluding testimony, he said, “As a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I witness that I have experienced sacred moments, unforgettable, powerful spiritual experiences and my faith, which is a simple faith, has been channelled into a sure and certain witness that He lives, that He was resurrected, and that He is our Savior and Redeemer."