President Hunter Visits Swiss Saints

On his first trip outside the United States since becoming President of the Church, President Howard W. Hunter spent eight days in Switzerland.

Accompanying President Hunter during portions of the August 8–16 trip was his wife, Inis Hunter; President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve, and his wife, Donna; Presiding Bishop Merrill J. Bateman and his wife, Marilyn; and Bishop H. David Burton of the Presiding Bishopric and his wife, Barbara.

While in Switzerland, President Hunter attended meetings at the Lausanne Ward in the Geneva Switzerland Stake. He spent a day at the Swiss Temple in Zollikofen, meeting with the temple leaders and speaking with the temple missionaries serving there. Also, he spoke at a fireside in the Lausanne Palace Hotel.

The chapel at the Lausanne Ward was filled for President Hunter’s August 14 visit.

“As I have been sitting here today, I have been thinking of those mission presidents with whom I worked when this was just a small mission, not very large but consisting of people who were faithful,” he told the 287 people in attendance. “I have seen some of you here who have been strong and giving of yourselves for the benefit of others. It makes me feel proud to know that you have been involved very much in helping the gospel to grow and spread as it has in Switzerland and other places in Europe.”

President Hunter remarked on his experiences visiting western Europe as a General Authority. “How grateful I am to see the growth that has taken place, and I know that you feel the same way about what has happened here in this part of the world,” he remarked.

After the sacrament meeting, President Hunter took the time to meet with everyone who had attended. He also posed for a picture with the Primary children in the ward.

At the fireside later that night, President Hunter again spoke of the growth of the Church in Switzerland, a relatively small country of only 15,941 square miles in area, with an estimated population of 6.7 million people. Currently, approximately 7,000 members live in three stakes and two missions within the country.

“How thankful we are to be here in this land of peace and goodwill,” he said. “On this day, our hearts are turned to the Prince of Peace, our Lord and Master.”

While in Switzerland, President and Sister Hunter also had the opportunity to visit several points of interest, including the Swiss Alps.