Elder D. Todd Christofferson, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, met with members and guests of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Wednesday and Thursday this week in Australia’s Northern Territory.
Elder and Sister Christofferson greet members and friends of the Church in Darwin, Australia. 24 May 2023.
Elder and Sister Christofferson greet members and friends of the Church in Darwin, Australia. 24 May 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
While it has been many years since an Apostle has met with and spoken to people in Darwin, part of Australia’s “Top End”, this was the first time an Apostle has visited Alice Springs, in the central outback.
Elder and Sister Christofferson in Alice Springs, Australia.
Elder and Sister Christofferson in Alice Springs, Australia.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
When visiting Darwin Elder Christofferson was accompanied by his wife, Sister Katherine Christofferson, and Elder Peter F. Meurs of the Seventy, and a member of the Church’s Pacific Area Presidency, and Sister Maxine Meurs.
Elder Christofferson thanks Darwin children for welcoming him and his wife to Australia. 24 May 2023.
Elder Christofferson thanks Darwin children for welcoming him and his wife to Australia. 24 May 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
In a meeting with members and friends of the Church, Elder Christofferson said that Darwin is a “famous outpost of the Church.”
Elder D. Todd Christensen in Darwin, Australia on 24 May 2023.
Elder D. Todd Christensen in Darwin, Australia on 24 May 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Elder Christofferson explained that “the ordinances of the gospel are personal and must be performed one by one, person by person, individual by individual, by name.”
Attendees at a devotional in Darwin, Australia on 24 May 2023.
Attendees at a devotional in Darwin, Australia on 24 May 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
He said that “the Holy Ghost can guide us as individuals, while gifts of the Spirit are to enable us to bless the lives of others.”
Elder Christofferson said, “I bless you that your faith will increase as you desire to serve and have faith in Him [Jesus Christ].”
Attendees at a devotional in Darwin, Australia on 24 May 2023.
Attendees at a devotional in Darwin, Australia on 24 May 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
“I bless you to have the faith to do what He wants done in your life and the lives of others that you may influence in some way.”
He added, “The Book of Mormon is the most powerful written testimony of Jesus Christ that we have at this time. It is convincing evidence of Jesus Christ and who He is.”
Elder Christofferson encouraged all in attendance to “repent and turn from your previous life unto me [the Lord].”
Sister Christofferson also spoke at the devotional in Darwin. She said, “We have promises from the Lord that families can be together forever.”
Sister Katherine Christofferson speaks in Darwin, Australia. 24 May 2023.
Sister Katherine Christofferson speaks in Darwin, Australia. 24 May 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Elder Peter F. Meurs thanked Darwin members of the Church for their hospitality towards his son who served nearly 12 months there on his mission in 2011.
Elder Meurs showed two pictures, depicting Jesus Christ and a Temple. “They remind us of the importance of building faith in Jesus Christ, participating in the sacrament ordinance where we remember Him and to gather to the temple which helps us to gain an eternal perspective”, he said.
Elder Peter F. Meurs speaks in Darwin Australia on 24 May 2023.
Elder Peter F. Meurs speaks in Darwin, Australia on 24 May 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Sister Maxine Meurs said, “The gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is always available to us. We can reset our lives through the Atonement.”
Arsyl Galleno, who attended the Darwin devotional, said, “While listening to Elder Christofferson I felt impressed that I should ponder his words and write them down so I remember them, and that I was able to hear Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and their message for all of us.”
A day later, the visiting leaders met with members and friends of the Church in Alice Springs, in central Australia. The Christoffersons were accompanied in Alice Springs by Elder Taniela B. Wakolo of the Seventy and a member of the Pacific Area Presidency, and Sister Anita Wakolo.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson (left) and Elder Taniela B. Wakolo look out over Alice Springs in central Australia. 26 May 2023.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson (left) and Elder Taniela B. Wakolo look out over Alice Springs in central Australia. 26 May 2023.© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
Introducing Elder Christofferson, Elder Wakolo said, “If there are those of you in Alice Springs who have been praying for an Apostle to visit, your prayers have been answered.”
Elder Christofferson told those in attendance, “I sense a light among you. As we follow the Saviour’s example we can become a light unto all those around us.”
He recounted an experience he had as a youth when he prayed for about an hour in the grove of trees at Upstate New York embracing the First Vision experience. He said nothing happened. However, two months later, he had a wonderful experience while reading the Book of Mormon where he knew it was true.
Elder Christofferson said he learned from this experience. “You don’t have to be any place special for the Lord to find you or answer your prayers,” he said.
“The Lord knows precisely where you are, and he knows your heart. I want to promise you who are seeking the truth, if that is your desire, you will receive a confirmation — just as I did — in His time and in His way, that the Book of Mormon is true. He will find you. He knows precisely where you are, and He knows your heart.”
Elder Christofferson said, “I bless you that your faith in Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father will increase and that the Holy Ghost will be in your homes. I bless you that you can cast out the adversary and make your homes a sanctuary of happiness and peace.”
In his remarks, Elder Wakolo said, “I promise you that during the evening names of individuals will be revealed to your mind from the Holy Ghost. Write them down and do something about it, let them know and that is how you can be a light unto them.”
He added, “Build your foundation on Jesus Christ and whatever the challenges life throw your way you will never be swayed but will be steadfast and immovable.”
Elder Wakolo said, “When we have Jesus Christ as foundation of our lives, whom we associate with matters, the conversations we have everyday matters.”
Sister Anita Wakolo said, “Prayer will open the windows of Heaven to us.”
President Adolf Johansson and Sister Martha Johansson of the Australia Adelaide Mission of the Church, and missionaries living and serving in Northern Territory communities, also attended the meetings.
President Johansson said in Alice Springs, “I know the Lord reaches out to us through the Spirit.”
Speaking after the Alice Springs devotional, Gary Bird, who is a traditional landowner as well as a Church leader in the remote aboriginal community, Mulga Bore, said that when he first saw Elder Christofferson he felt nervous, but then he “could feel that he was truly an Apostle of Jesus Christ.”
Keaton Tilmouth, also from Mulga Bore, said, “I am waiting for my mission call, and knowing an apostle of Jesus Christ has come to Alice Springs, and that I could shake his hand, makes me more excited to serve.”
Another attendee at the Alice Springs devotional, Cheydon Tuifua, said, “Having an apostle of the Lord come to Alice Springs was very powerful because it shows that the Lord does love us, and He does recognise us here, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Coriel Stay said, “When Elder Christofferson came to Alice I had a question I really wanted to have answered, which was ‘How can I make a change in my world?’ I feel the Spirit telling me and the answer I got was to let my light and example shine, and to be willing to rely on help from others, because no one can do it alone, unless we have Jesus in our lives and accept help from the amazing community that we have.”