Finnish consul pays courtesy visit to Church headquarters
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
The consul general of Finland, Tapio Saarela, paid a courtesy visit Nov. 20 to leaders at Church headquarters in Salt Lake City.
The consul general and his wife were hosted by Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Council of the Twelve. Others who welcomed the consul general were Pres. James Parker, who presided over the Finland Helsinki Mission from 1978-1981, and his wife, Beverly, a daughter of President Ezra Taft Benson. Spencer Eccles, honorary Finnish consul for Utah and chairman of First Security Corporation, also welcomed the consul general and his wife to Salt Lake City.The Saarelas met with the Church leaders first in the Church Administration Building, where Elder Ballard presented the couple with a porcelain figurine of seagulls. At the request of Elder Ballard, Sister Parker recounted the history of the miracle of the seagulls represented by the figurine.
Elder Ballard explained to the visitors the great love returned missionaries have for the country in which they served. "Finland has no better friends or more loyal supporters," he said, "than those who have learned to love its people through missionary service there." Elder Ballard also discussed the growth of the Church throughout the world and explained some of the beliefs of the Church.
On Sunday, Nov. 22, the Saarelas were special guests at the Tabernacle Choir's weekly telecast, and were given a tour of Temple Square. They also attended a sacrament meeting with the Parker family in Salt Lake City and were hosted at a luncheon at the Parker home.
