Elder M. Russell Ballard visits Europe

Elder M. Russell Ballard – a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ second-highest presiding body – recently paid a visit to several European countries. His trip began on 13 October in Helsinki, Finland, where he spoke to Church leaders, missionaries and Church members. On October 15, he spoke to the half a million Mormons in the Europe Area during an areawide satellite broadcast held in Friedrichsdorf, Germany. He spent time in Frankfurt and Munich on October 16 and 20, during which he addressed missionaries, Church leaders and Church members. Elder Ballard also visited Italy on 18 and 19 October. He saw the Rome Temple, which is under construction, addressed the Young Men and Young Women (between 12 and 18 years of age) of the Church in Europe through a satellite broadcast from Rome and visited with missionaries. Before he returned to the USA on 22 October he attended a Stake (similar to a Diocese) Conference in Stuttgart, Germany.

Elder Paul V. Johnson, President of the Church in the Europe Area, said having Elder Ballard in Europe was a special experience for all involved.  “As we traveled throughout Europe with Elder Ballard, we saw the goodness of an Apostle of the Lord,” Elder Johnson said. “The members and especially the youth of the Church in Europe, will remember the blessing it was to have Elder Ballard in Europe.”