President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the highest governing body of the Church, and his wife, Harriet, visited Western Europe in June to celebrate several milestones of the Church.
President Uchtdorf, a convert to the Church and native of Germany, was accompanied by Elder José A. Teixeira, the president of the Europe Area.
“The trip truly was wonderful,” Elder Teixeira said. “It symbolized faith, family, growth, and the dedication of our faithful members in Europe. The Church members felt the love of the Lord expressed by President and Sister Uchtdorf.”
President Uchtdorf reminded Church members of the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Church’s Swiss Temple, the first LDS temple built outside of North America. Speaking via satellite broadcast to all congregations in Western Europe, he said: “The first LDS missionaries arrived in Western Europe more than 170 years ago. The Church now has more than 15 million members worldwide, with half a million in Europe. This is a great and marvelous work; it is not a small thing in a corner. It is God’s work and glory to bring the blessings of the gospel into the lives of His children, wherever they live!”
- President Uchtdorf visit to Europe (June 2014)
- President Uchtdorf visit to Europe (June 2014)
- President Uchtdorf visit to Europe (June 2014)
- President Uchtdorf visit to Europe (June 2014)
- President Uchtdorf visit to Europe (June 2014)
- President Uchtdorf visit to Europe (June 2014)
- President Uchtdorf visit to Europe (June 2014)
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President Uchtdorf and his wife, Harriet, met with Church leaders in Bern, Switzerland; Rome, Italy; and Warsaw, Poland.
President Uchtdorf was eager to see the progress at the Rome Italy Temple construction site. The temple is scheduled to be completed in 2015.
In Warsaw, President and Sister Uchtdorf spoke to Church members from various parts of the country and met with missionaries serving in the Poland Warsaw Mission. While in Poland President and Sister Uchtdorf also visited Auschwitz and Birkenau.
President Uchtdorf, the retired Chief Pilot of Lufthansa German Airlines and a military veteran, has served nearly 20 years as a General Authority for the Church. He and his wife, Harriet, have been married since 1962 and have two children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. With his calling in the Church, President and Sister Uchtdorf now permanently reside in the United States of America.