Today, 24 November 2025, marks the 175th anniversary of an event of special significance for the beginnings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe—and therefore also in Switzerland. On 24 November 1850, Elder Lorenzo Snow, together with his two companions Jabez Woodard and Thomas Brown Holmes Stenhouse, ascended Monte Castlùs near Torre Pellice in the Piedmont region. This place became one of the early historically important and even sacred sites of the Church on the European continent.
On this mountain, Elder Snow ordained Elder Stenhouse a high priest and “prayed that a way might open for him in Switzerland, so that the work in this interesting land might move forward.” A few days later, Elder Stenhouse set out on his mission (Lorenzo Snow, 25 January 1851).
By virtue of the priesthood keys given to him, Elder Snow thereby “opened the door for the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ … to build up The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Switzerland and regulate all the affairs of the same in all nations” The Voice of Joseph and the tract The Ancient Gospel Restored in his suitcase, in his coat pockets, and even in his hat, the Apostle crossed the Alps during a winter snowstorm in 1851—“scarcely knowing whether I was dead or alive.” Upon finally reaching Geneva, he was impressed by the work Elder Stenhouse had already accomplished there: “I am pleased with the prospect of introducing the gospel in Geneva. I feel free and in a free environment, and I prophesy good for Switzerland” (Lorenzo Snow, 6 February 1851).
Élder Dieter F. Uchtdorf also dedicated Switzerland again on 8 June 2014 on the Bern Temple grounds, by the same authority, for the preaching of the gospel.
In the autumn of 1850, Lorenzo Snow and his companions often withdrew to Monte Castlùs to fast, pray, and draw near to the Lord. There they sought His guiding and blessing hand as they introduced the restored gospel among the Waldensians living in the Piedmont Alps. The mountain became a sacred place to them. Soon Elder Snow suggested “that this mountain should from now on and forever be known among the people of God as Mount Brigham, and the rock on which we stood as the Rock of Prophecy.” From this mountain, as Elder Woodard prophesied on 19 September 1850 at the dedication of Italy for the preaching of the gospel, “God’s work would eventually … go forth to other nations of the earth.”
One hundred seventy-five years after these historic events, a group of members from Switzerland climbed the same mountain to commemorate them.
On 25 October 2025, they gathered at that sacred site, praised the Lord with singing and prayer, and bore testimony of His goodness—the same goodness that then and now is poured out through the many gifts of the Spirit upon all who sincerely seek Him, “that all may be profited thereby” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:12).