Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder Ian S. Ardern of the Seventy spoke to separate gatherings of members and friends of the Church in Melbourne on Sunday 18 March 2018.
Elder Andersen and Elder Clayton are visiting the South Pacific from Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Elder Andersen and his wife Kathy attended a conference in Melbourne’s east addressing more than 1,000 members of the Gippsland Stake (diocese). Those in attendance were reminded of the rare opportunity it is to hear from a living apostle.
Elder Andersen focused members’ attention to the first and great commandment that “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matt 22:37).”
He further testified that, “as we kneel in prayer there is nothing that our Heavenly Father doesn't understand. Our faith is not in vain. The Saviour lives, He has been resurrected. I witness that He lives.”
Following the meeting, Gippsland Stake member Matt Nye and his wife Kamaia commented, “Elder Andersen’s advice to parents to share their spiritual experiences with their children really resonated with us.”
In Melbourne’s west, Elder Clayton addressed more than 900 members of the Wyndham Stake. Elder Clayton remarked, “when we give our all and when we give our best, we make a difference.”
“I hope that husbands are kind to their wives and that wives love their husbands. Grow in faith, unity, kindness, tenderness, mercy and patience.” “What is patience?” he asked. “It is not showing your impatience.” He concluded, “May your private behaviour be as good as your public behaviour.”
Elder Ardern visited with congregations from the Craigieburn Stake (diocese). He expressed his appreciation for the earnest desire of those gathered to become true followers of Christ.
The conferences were the last of several meetings that Elder Clayton and his wife Kathy attended during their visit to New Zealand and Australia.