Member of Parliament Sees Mormon Congregation in Action

One of the distinguishing features of Mormon meetinghouses or chapels are signs that say, “Visitors Welcome.”  Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mortdale, Sydney, recently put that message into action by hosting a member of state parliament.

Earlier this month Latter-day Saint leaders and members from Mortdale hosted Mr Mark Coure, Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Australian state of New South Wales. 

The Church’s lay leaders for congregations in Mortdale and surrounding suburbs — the Sydney Australia Mortdale Stake Presidency — are Atili N. To’o, Michael S. Laulu, and Graham W. Hancock.  These leaders hosted Mr Coure at the Church’s Walker Street, Mortdale meetinghouse, and introduced him to several members of the Church who were taking part in various activities that evening.

As the group stopped in at the family history centre — one of 4,600 or so worldwide and 147 nationally — Mr Coure met genealogists busily researching their family trees.  These centres are open to Church members and others with an interest in learning about their forebears.

Mr Coure was given some suggestions as to how he might make a start on researching his own genealogy, and was offered help if he wished to pursue that in the future.

Mr To’o, Mr Laulu and Mr Hancock shared with Mr Coure information about community service projects the Church has supported in recent months.  ‘Mormon Helping Hands’ volunteers in Mortdale and in other parts of the world regularly join with others in the community to paint schools, clean up parks and provide other service.

Mr Coure listened in for a few minutes to a youth choir practice in another part of the building.  The teenagers were preparing to sing at an upcoming stake conference, when members of the Church and other guests from across the Mortdale Stake will come together for a combined worship service.

Members of the women’s organization, the Relief Society, were holding a meeting on the same evening as Mr Coure’s visit.  The group was discussing ways to strengthen individuals and families within their congregation and broader community. The Relief Society is one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the world.

Church leaders and Mr Coure discussed Latter-day Saint beliefs regarding God, Jesus Christ and scripture.  Mr Coure expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received and the opportunity to learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members.

Mr Coure noted that government and churches can and should work together for the benefit of communities.