During a recent trip to Salt Lake City, Jorge E. Roman-Morey, consul general of Peru, gained a more complete knowledge of the Church.

He visited the Church's Humanitarian Center, and left knowing that a humanitarian shipment from the Church was en route to his country.

He visited the Family History Library, and left with a picture of his father, shown as a young military academy graduate, that he had not seen for years.

He attended a dinner hosted by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve and left uplifted.

Consul Roman-Morey is just one of more than 400 government officials from around the world, recognized nationally or internationally, that are hosted each year by the Church.

They tour the Family History Library and the Church museum, the Humanitarian Center and Welfare Square. They view the movie "Legacy" in the Church's Joseph Smith Memorial Building, visit the BYU campus and the Missionary Training Center, and meet with a member of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve.

"We are finding that these people are so interested in what the Church is doing. They come here to find out why the Church is growing so rapidly," said Dale Ensign, who is serving with his wife, Elaine, as Church Host and Hostess.

Brother and Sister Ensign were called by the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles. They are assisted by two couples who serve as assistant directors of Church Hosting, and four additional couples also serve as Church Hosts under their direction.

Brother Ensign explained that Church leaders want visitors to leave Church headquarters with good feelings. "President James E. Faust [second counselor in the First Presidency] has said the best way to accomplish this high purpose is to let the Church and its facilities speak for themselves," said Brother Ensign.

Brother Ensign said that Temple Square, where people from all over the world are given tours by sister missionaries in one of 30 languages, is of special interest to many visitors.

At Welfare Square and the Humanitarian Center, visitors see the workings and principles of self reliance, he added. "The Humanitarian Center is a jewel in the crown of the Church. The guests are amazed by what they see. Remarks like, 'Some people talk about doing these things. You are doing them,' are very common."

Consul Roman-Morey left the Church's Humanitarian Center "really impressed with the work they do there."

For him, like many Church guests, LDS humanitarian efforts hit close to home. Before he arrived in Salt Lake City, Church officials had shipped eight containers of supplies to help flood victims in Peru.

"In our country the help is always needed," said Consul Roman-Morey. "Peru is aware of what the Mormon Church has given."

He added that the Church sets an example that others should follow. "I don't think we should wait for emergencies to happen. We should be organized."

Another touching event occurred while he was visiting the Church's Family History Library. "I just opened this [history] book and my father's picture was among all the other pictures in the book," Consul Roman-Morey explained. "I remember that photo from home. I didn't expect to find it here in Utah."

Days later, while waiting for the Tabernacle Choir broadcast on Temple Square, Consul Roman-Morey was still excited about the discovery of his father's picture — as well as the rest of his visit to Salt Lake City.

Brother and Sister Ensign noted that often when visitors come to Salt Lake they have certain doubts about the Church. "But when they leave their attitudes have changed and they are pleased with what they have learned," said Brother Ensign.

Sister Ensign added that associating with wonderful people from all over the world has also changed her attitude. "We love them all," she said. "Meeting them makes you feel good about the world."

Both Brother and Sister Ensign feel the visits to Salt Lake City by these many important people — heads of state, presidents of countries, ambassadors, consul generals, internationally recognized leaders, and humanitarians, to name a few — are part of the fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah: "the Lord's house shall be established in the tops of the mountains . . . and all nations shall flow unto it." (Isaiah 2:2)

Explaining the great respect many of these leaders have for the Church after their visits, Brother Ensign recalled meeting with an ambassador. "He came to understand the Law of the Fast — how funds saved from one's meals are given to the Church for the poor and needy. When he came to the Humanitarian Center he presented the director with an envelope, saying, 'I have fasted the past two mornings, here is my contribution.' "

Indeed, said Brother Ensign, "bridges of understanding are built" as these leaders visit Church headquarters.

That was the experience of Consul Roman-Morey. "I learned what the Mormon Church is about," he said.