Wife of the first Black General Authority Passes Away

Sister Rudá Tourinho de Assis Martins, the wife of Elder Helvécio Martins, passed away recently at the age of 92. Elder Helvécio Martins was the first Black General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and both he and Sister Rudá were pioneers of faith and dedication in the Church.

Born on January 1, 1932, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sister Martins married Helvécio Martins in 1956. Together, they navigated challenges related to their faith, including the Church’s priesthood restrictions prior to the 1978 revelation. Her steadfast support for her husband and her testimony of the restored gospel left a lasting impact on the Church and its members worldwide.

Her life of service continued into her later years, including a recent move to North Dakota to live with her daughter, where she bore powerful testimonies that inspired many. Her legacy is celebrated as one of courage, faith, and pioneering devotion.

Elder Helvécio Martins broke barriers as the first Black general authority in the Church, serving as a General Authority Seventy from 1990 to 1995. Prior to this historic role, the Martins led the Brazil Fortaleza Mission from 1987 to 1990, dedicating themselves to spreading the gospel and strengthening communities of faith.

Sister Martins was not only a partner in these efforts but also an inspiration in her own right. Her life and testimony embodied the resilience and joy that underpin the Church’s teachings. Together, the Martins navigated the complexities of their roles with grace, making lasting contributions to the Church’s mission and leaving a legacy that continues to resonate with Latter-day Saints around the globe.

Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Church history but leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith, love, and service.

In an interview with the Church News in 2022, Sister Martins declared, “My testimony is the most valuable thing I have.

The two were married in the Santo Antônio dos Pobres church on Inválidos Street in the center of Rio de Janeiro on Dec. 8, 1956. They are the parents of four children: Marcus Helvécio, Marisa Helena, Raphael and Aline. Elder Martins emphasized that aside from the Lord the most influential force in his life had been his wife.

Elder Martins died of heart problems in 2005 at age 75.

In a Church News article in 2022, Sister Martins, age 90, spoke of her relationship with the Lord. “I talk to Him. And He answers me through my dreams,” she said. “I close my eyes and say, ‘Lord, I don’t know what I need to do. I have this and that. What should I do? What should I say to my daughter? To my son?’ I ask the Lord, and the Lord answers me because I have faith in Him. I know the Lord will not let me fall in a hole and stay there. He will do a lot for me. He always does.”

Sister Martins is survived by her four children: Marcus Helvécio, Marisa Helena, Raphael and Aline; and by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.