Progress is encouraging
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CHURCH IN EUROPE: The Church in this part of Europe is much like a young and tender plant. Nevertheless, the Lord is watching over the people, and the Church will grow and strengthen. It will bear precious fruit and be a great blessing to the members and to the South Eastern Europe nations that have endured so much conflict and suffering over centuries. — Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Elder D. Todd Christofferson's comments regarding visits to six countries May 22-June 3, 2009
Pres. Monson's letter
"The Church presence is still very small in Albania and the nations of the former Yugoslavia, but the progress is encouraging. We have some wonderful pioneer saints on this "frontier" of the Church. President Monson dedicated the land of Yugoslavia in 1985, and he sent a letter with me to the members in Croatia congratulating them on the dedication of the first chapel in that nation. When I read the letter to the congregation gathered in Zagreb, it was clear that they were excited and encouraged to be remembered in that way by the president of the Church. Our progress there is a tribute to the lasting influence of Kresimir Cosic, who braved the opprobrium of the communist government to teach people about the restored Church when he returned from his basketball career at BYU. Many have contributed and continue to build up and sustain the Church in Croatia and adjoining countries, but the influence of this one good, devoted man is still felt. It reaffirmed to me the great good that even one person can accomplish when he or she is committed to the gospel and filled with the Spirit."
Presidential visit
"In our conversation with the Albania President Bamir Topi, we emphasized the need for policies that strengthen marriage and support families, and the particular need to provide opportunity and means for young adults to gain an education, form families and have stable employment in Albania. He fully agreed with the importance of these goals. We were impressed with his interest in the welfare of the people, and the same was true with other leaders we spoke with in Albania, Serbia and elsewhere. We assured them that members of this Church will be among their best and strongest citizens given the fruits of the gospel in the lives of our people."
First temple visit
"On Sunday morning, May 31, at the Tirana Albania District conference, we met several members who had just returned late the night before from their first visit to the temple. Despite being very tired after the long trip from Frankfurt, Germany, they had bright countenances and a light in their eyes having so recently been endowed and sealed as couples and families. The workers in the Frankfurt Temple are so gracious and helpful to members coming from this area, and these pioneer members also have the shepherding support of superb missionary couples — it is wonderful to see."
