Across Europe this week, three global Christian leaders met with communities to listen, encourage, and learn. Their messages, rooted in following Jesus, building friendships across faiths, and trusting the rising generation, were delivered in public gatherings where friends of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and members sat side by side.
In Bucharest, Elder Dale G. Renlund invited believers and friends to focus deeply on Jesus Christ. Despite snowy conditions, more than 600 members and friends gathered from across Romania to participate in the national conference.
Elder Renlund emphasised humility in ministry, telling the congregation, ‘I came as an apostle of the Lord, but I am not special. Jesus Christ is.’
The event drew government, faith, academic, and civic leaders who expressed warmth and appreciation for the Christ-centered atmosphere. Dr. Laurențiu Tănase, a university scholar of theology and religious studies, described the experience as ‘very helpful,’ noting the importance of shared values in modern society.
Pastor Mădălin Avramescu of the Seventh-day Adventist Church said he ‘listened very carefully’ and appreciated the emphasis on Jesus Christ’s ministry and the spirit of friendship he felt among attendees. Ervin Iusein, vice president of the Islamic Association for Dialogue, reflected, ‘I love the opportunity to put down misconceptions and understand each other better… projects like this show how possible it is to coexist.’ Romania’s State Secretary for Religious Affairs, Ciprian Olinici, was also in attendance.
On Sunday, March 1, in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, Elder Renlund presided over a stake conference giving friends, members, and local leaders an opportunity to receive instruction, feel the Spirit together, and strengthen relationships that support families and communities. Elder Renlund’s message resonated with those in attendance as he lovingly reminded all that they are ‘children of God with a divine nature and an eternal destiny.’
Stake President Jerry Bletterman, taught that the purpose of a stake conference is to strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and noted the special nature of this meeting, an opportunity to ‘hear the voice of one who was called as the voice of the Lord.’
Peter Oduro, a local member, attended with his wife, son, and four-month-old daughter. A recent family discussion about what it would have been like to live during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ led him to a realization, ‘we have the Twelve Apostles and the living Prophet,’ he said. ‘Coming with my family is a blessing.’
In Paris, Elder Gérald Caussé, the first French-born Apostle, spoke about a notable rise in spiritual engagement across the country, ‘we are seeing a surge of baptisms in France right now,’ he said, highlighting growing interest among people seeking peace, truth, and community.
Recently baptized members offered heartfelt testimony, including Augustin Lemblé, who felt ‘a message of peace and love… I knew this was where I needed to be,’ and Cécile Alves de Freitas, who expressed gratitude for the call to ‘be the light in this world… not just on Sundays.’ Robin Gaël Buannic shared that he had long searched for ‘a real church, a real truth,’ and found it in the restored gospel.
Elder Caussé emphasized unity through Christ, ‘I feel this Spirit that unites us, through Christ and for Christ.’ He encouraged reading the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, as a source of spiritual renewal, noting that even after many readings, the book revealed new light to him.
Addressing members of the Nice Stake in Marseille on Sunday, March 1, Elder Caussé shared personal reflections from his childhood conversion in the region, baptized in Marseille at age eight and nurtured in a small branch marked by community and love for children. He taught, ‘I have learned and felt many things in the Church that I have not learned or felt anywhere else… From a very young age, I have had this conviction that I can speak to my Heavenly Father… I knew very early on that Jesus Christ is my Savior.’
He invited members to bear simple, sincere witness of the Savior in daily life, ‘we are in a world where knowledge of the risen Christ is fading… How many times a week do you bear witness to the Savior?… Don’t be afraid to bear witness; be simple and sincere. The Church is you—you carry it with you at work, on the road, and with your friends; you represent the Lord; you have a virtual missionary badge.’
Elder Caussé concluded with an apostolic blessing for the Nice Stake, ‘may your lives be illuminated by the joy of the gospel. May you not be weary or despairing, but move forward day by day, being individually touched by the atoning sacrifice of Christ.’
After the meeting Isabelle Faudin a member of the Marseille congregation, shared that she was, ‘very happy, strengthened in my testimony, and fortified to continue feeling this joy, to feel Christ as a wonderful support.’
Elder S. Mark Palmer ministered in Hamburg and Berlin, where he expressed confidence in the faith and devotion of young people, ‘I am not worried about the future of the Church… I am full of faith in the rising generation.’ He encouraged youth and missionaries to turn to the Savior in moments of uncertainty, ‘look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not.’ He taught repentance as a joyful, Christ-centered doctrine, ‘repentance is a beautiful doctrine when it’s centered in Jesus Christ.’
Missionaries expressed how meaningful the visit was. Sister Pearson said listening to Elder Palmer felt like ‘a feeling of home’ and helped her sense the love of Christ. Elder Woodland described the event as ‘a rejuvenation… reminding me why I’m truly here, to help others come unto Christ.’
In Barcelona, Vilafranca del Penedès, and L’Hospitalet, Elder Palmer focused on belonging and God’s love, testifying that God ‘knows and loves each one of you… by name.’ He encouraged friends of the Church to experience the gospel and its blessings for themselves, ‘you will be blessed in the most marvellous ways if you accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and find out for yourself.’
In Zürich, Elder Palmer encouraged families to remain hopeful and affirmed the Lord’s refining hand in challenging times. Addressing youth, new members, and families, he expressed gratitude for their devotion and reminded them of Heavenly Father’s love. He taught about the power of personal testimony to lead others to Christ, ‘when we bear testimony to each other, the Holy Ghost bears witness of truth, and we feel His love and support.’
He welcomed those baptized in the past five years and honored their courage, ‘what you have done is right and correct, and you are surrounded by people who will support and love you on your covenant path.’ He shared his family’s conversion story in New Zealand, noting how two young missionaries changed the course of his family’s life.
Speaking tenderly to parents, he said, ‘dear faithful parents, continue to have hope, and do not feel like you have failed… Challenges and disappointments are not evidence that the Lord has abandoned you; rather, they are evidence that He loves you enough to refine and strengthen you.’ He encouraged teaching the gospel in homes and promised that many lives would be blessed by faithful children and grandchildren.
Niklas, a new convert baptized four months ago, said, ‘I have been searching for Jesus Christ in my life, and I am happy to be part of such a great work. I felt motivation and strength through the meeting and the love the Lord has to offer.’