Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently met with Sierra Leone’s President and First Lady as part of his visit to West Africa. During the meeting, they discussed topics of mutual interest, including faith, humanitarian efforts, and the role of religious organizations in strengthening communities.
Elder Christofferson expressed appreciation for the country’s dedication to religious freedom and service, highlighting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ commitment to humanitarian work and community development in Sierra Leone.
The visit underscored the Church’s ongoing engagement in West Africa and its efforts to collaborate with government and community leaders to promote unity and service.
Her husband, Julius Maada Wonie Bio, told Elder Christofferson, “It’s good to have you here in this part of Africa. We’re truly happy to receive you.”
Elder Christofferson expressed his gratitude to the Bios for the meeting and for their efforts to promote religious freedom.
“I think that is an admirable example for the world. We are grateful for the religious liberty and the way that people [of different faiths] live together,” he said. “You have set a nice model for what should be everywhere in the world.”
Elder Michael T. Ringwood of the Presidency of the Seventy, and his wife, Sister Rosalie Ringwood; Elder Alfred Kyungu, General Authority Seventy and president of the Africa West Area, and his wife, Sister Lucie Kyungu; and Elder Kenneth Pambu, an Area Seventy assigned to the Africa West Area, and his wife, Sister Susan Pambu,were also part of the Sierra Leone meeting with the president and first lady.
Besides their conversation about religious liberty, the Church’s Africa Newsroom reported the leaders also spoke about the Church’s humanitarian aid and educational efforts, strengthening families and a new house of the Lord being built in the West African nation.
The Freetown Sierra Leone Temple has been under construction since March 2022, and Elder Christofferson invited the president and first lady to see it when it is completed and the open house begins.
“We are happy that we have a temple, our most special and sacred building, being constructed here in Freetown, and we are anxious to see it,” he said. “That is where our most sacred ordinances or religious rites take place, especially marriage.”
Some of the Church’s efforts in Sierra Leone include providing clean water to communities and sanitary facilities for schools; nutrition programs, especially for children; and education programs. Higher education opportunities are available through BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
The president and first lady invited the guests to a meal in their home, and Elder Christofferson presented the president with a replica of the Christus statue and a copy of the Book of Mormon.
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