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Immigrant Family Helps Convert Other Relatives from the Dominican Republic
The Fernández Lee family moved to the Dominican Republic in August 2022. There, they met young missionaries to learn about the teachings of Jesus Christ and His restored Church. The family consists of Joel Fernández Méndez, his wife, Yoleidy Lee Muñoz, and their two children, Eileen Alejandra (17) and Brayan Alejandro (11). Despite the trials and tribulations of being away from their homeland and loved ones, they are a family that has not been discouraged but has held onto the iron rod with faith.
They received a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and were baptized on October 29, 2023. The family has firmly committed themselves to the path of covenants and to their efforts to magnify and expand the work of the Lord on earth. They enthusiastically embrace the work of the temple and family history and attend the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Temple to do baptisms regularly. They have already taken the temple preparation course, preparing to receive their endowment and sealing when the time comes.
The Fernandez Lee family belongs to the Mirador Ward in the Santo Domingo Dominican Republic San Gerónimo Stake. Brother Fernandez was called as the first counselor in the Sunday School, and Sister Lee de Fernández as a Young Women advisor.
When they shared the good news of their conversion with their relatives in Cuba, it was met with surprise and reservations. However, as the Fernandez Lee family’s lives changed and their faith grew stronger, their families’ views began to shift. Brother Fernandez’s mother, 76-year-old Nilda Méndez Herrera, noticed a big difference in her son’s life. This motivated her to receive the first teachings of the gospel through video calls from the missionaries who preached to her son in the Dominican Republic. Sister Yoleidy Lee de Fernández’s mother, 67-year-old Xiomara Munoz Latuazon, also felt inspired by the Spirit to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Luis Wilberto Tito Quintana baptized both women on May 25, 2024, in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, in a simple yet beautiful ceremony where the spirit of gratitude to the Lord reigned. The Lord works to rescue His children, no matter how scattered they may be on the earth. “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean” (Ezekiel 36:24–25).