Elder Neil L. Andersen, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen, recently visited several countries in the Asia Area.
Accompanying Elder and Sister Andersen on the tour were Elder L. Whitney Clayton, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and his wife, Sister Kathy Clayton, as well as members of the Asia Area Presidency and Area Seventies of the Church, and their wives.
- Elder Andersen in New Delhi Mission
- Elder Neil L. Andersen greets and shakes hand with Sister Neela Juriel, one of the first members in New Delhi, baptized in 1969.
- Group picture of Elder Neil L. Andersen, Elder L. Whitney Clayton, Elder Kent D. Watson and Elder Larry Y. Wilson with missionaries serving in Thailand Bangkok Mission.
- Elder Neil L. Andersen and his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen arrive the Chaegwattana chapel in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Elder L. Whitney Clayton visits with members of the Siem Reap Branch in Cambodia. Vichhay Chin and his wife, Loan Kim, and their children, Chhaily and Davit Vong.
- Elder L. Whitney Clayton and his wife, Sister Kathy Clayton, meet with members in Cambodia.
- Elder Neil L. Andersen, Elder L. Whitney Clayton, the Asia Area Presidency, Area Seventies and priesthood leaders in Hong Kong and China.
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Elder Andersen’s and Elder Clayton’s travels – some together and some apart – were from May 14-27, beginning in Thailand and continuing to India, Cambodia, Laos and Hong Kong.
In meeting with members of the Church in Thailand, Elder Andersen challenged members to speak to others about Jesus Christ and to strengthen the Church by sharing hope for eternal life.
The Apostle called on members to minister to others as Christ would: “As disciples of Jesus Christ, we know things which others do not know. We must profess Him and speak of Him and be proud of Him.”
Elder Kent D. Watson, the Asia Area President, urged members to be witnesses of God. “We are witnesses when we pray together, when we take the sacrament and when we keep the commandments. Do not be discouraged. We receive no witness until after the trial of our faith.”
In India, Elder Andersen met with missionaries of the India New Delhi Mission in a special meeting and attended and spoke to members at a Member Devotional in New Delhi.
This was Elder Andersen’s first assignment in India, and he expressed his gratitude to be in such a wonderful setting with the Saints. He referred to the Saints in India as “pioneers in a work that will be an important part of the Church.”
Elder Clayton visited Phnom Penh, along with Elder Larry Y. Wilson of the Asia Area Presidency, and their wives.
In speaking to the gathered Saints in Phnom Penh, Elder Clayton admonished them that they should build their house upon a rock. “We are building houses every day, the houses of our lives, our families and our marriages,” said Elder Clayton. “We can build sturdy houses of faith or weak houses of disobedience. The house built on a good foundation will be protected.”
The final leg of the 11-day tour was Hong Kong, where, in addition to meeting with the Hong Kong missionaries, Elder Andersen and Elder Clayton taught local priesthood leaders in an area council meeting and at a priesthood leadership conference. They were joined by the Asia Area Presidency.
On Sunday morning, more than 1,250 Saints from the Hong Kong China Stake and Hong Kong China District gathered to hear counsel from an Apostle of the Lord. Elder Andersen was accompanied by Elder Gerrit Gong of the Asia Area Presidency, and their wives.
Elder Andersen spoke of the role of Hong Kong in the development of the Church in Asia, reminding members of the importance of remaining strong and true so the area can grow and prosper.
“We each have a responsibility to the Savior and His kingdom,” Elder Andersen taught. “He cares about our discipleship, our love of God, obedience, prayer, unselfishness, and building the kingdom of God. Put your hand out to the downcast. Tell someone you love them. Strengthen one another. Life is not easy, but the Savior has overcome the world.”
“It meant so much to the Saints in Hong Kong to have an apostle of the Lord visit us here. It is our privilege to listen to and act upon the inspired counsel from Elder Andersen.” President Benjamin Tai of the Hong Kong China District expressed.
Members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Seventy travel throughout the world, where the Church is organized, fulfilling their calling to minister to the people.