World Briefs

Elder Bednar Meets with Members of Scottish Parliament

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with ministers of the Scottish Parliament for two hours in September to discuss how Scottish members can support moral issues and to highlight Church teachings on the importance of the family. The meeting at the Holyrood Parliament Building in Edinburgh included five ministers of Parliament. Elder Bednar and other Church leaders also visited Ireland for several Church meetings.

New Area Presidency Announced

The First Presidency has announced a change in the Pacific Area Presidency effective in October 2009. Elder David S. Baxter of the Seventy, President of the area since August 2008, recently underwent surgery in Salt Lake City and has been reassigned to Church headquarters. Elder Tad R. Callister of the Seventy will serve as President of the area, with Elder James J. Hamula as First Counselor and Elder Brent H. Nielson as Second Counselor.

LDS Singles Serve in Guatemala

Latter-day Saint singles from Washington, D.C., USA, gathered in Guatemala’s remote Polochic Valley in August 2009 to serve the Q’eqchi’ people. Working with a nonprofit organization, they helped build a middle school and library, train teachers, and distribute vitamins. They also held sanitation, nutrition, dental health, personal finance, and agricultural workshops for 300 villagers and began construction on a school kitchen, health clinic, and community water system.

Elder David A. Bednar meets with members of the Scottish Parliament.

Photograph by John Buckles