Major Milestone for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Iceland

Iceland realized a major milestone on February 24th and 25th, 2024. In a special Leadership Conference in Reykjavik, Europe North Area Seventy, Elder Erik Bernskov, accompanied by Leif G. Mattsson President of the Denmark Copenhagen Mission, formally announced the reinstatement of the Reykjavík Iceland District.

Growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Iceland has been steady since 1945. Today there are just under 400 members in Iceland and four branches in three locations on the island.

In the Saturday Leadership meeting, Elder Bernskov gave his personal witness that Heavenly Father confirmed to him, the reinstatement of the Reykjavík Iceland District is His will. Referencing John 15:5 “Always remember…we can do nothing without Him.”

President Leif G. Mattsson said, “I know this is the Lord’s work. The timing for Iceland, I feel, is now. The Lord will open up; He will make things that are impossible, possible.”

Area Organisation Adviser, Sister Ann-Mari Lindberg spoke of Priesthood power that “flows thru all of the members as they keep their covenants and try to keep the commandments. We need it in our personal lives, we need it in our church life.”

Sunday morning conference began with the introduction of the new District Leaders by President Mattsson. Native Icelander, Guðmundur Sigurðsson was called as the District President, with his wife, Sister Valgerður Knútsdóttir. His counsellor is Senior Missionary, Elder Tony Floyd Tibbitts, and wife, Sister Cynthia Tibbitts from Midway, Utah. Sister Bettina Gudnason was called as a Women’s District Leader for the Relief Society, Young Women and Primary.

The new District leaders and their wives were invited to share their testimonies. President Sigurðsson told the congregation, “I’m very grateful to be called to serve the Lord in this important and heavy calling. I’ve always had a very strong testimony; I pray that I will be blessed to support the branch presidents and the members.” Sister Valgerður Knútsdóttir counselled the members, “Hold fast to your testimony, and remember God is at the helm. No one can take your testimony away, it’s just us that let it go."

Elder Erik Bernskov concluded the meeting with encouragement of unity among the members, quoting John 17: 20- 22  “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one."

The meeting was conducted in three languages, with members and missionaries translating between Icelandic, English and Spanish. The hymns were sung simultaneously in all languages, a joyous chord of praise. Members expressed appreciation for the Spirit they felt and the messages of inspiration they received from all those participating.