CHISINAU, Moldova — On May 16, a beautiful spring day in this city, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated the Republic of Moldova for the preaching of the gospel and the establishment of the Church.
The Republic of Moldova is currently part of the Romania Bucharest Mission. It is a largely agricultural land, wedged between Ukraine and Romania in Eastern Europe, with a population of about 4 million people that until 1990 was part of the Soviet Union. Missionaries have been present since October 1997. There are now 140 members in one branch and two groups of the Church served by 14 missionaries.
The dedication group was taken by minibus to a prayerfully selected spot on a hill overlooking Chisinau, known as Valea Morilor, the Valley of the Windmills.
Present were Elders D. Lee Tobler and Ronald A. Rasband of the Europe Central Area presidency, Romania Bucharest Mission President George K. Jarvis and Sister Kathryn Jarvis, President Ion Varlan of the Chisinau Branch and full-time missionaries, Elders Chris Klomp and Tyler Ray.
The ride to the chosen spot was steep and rough, the dirt road becoming a grassy track on which goats were grazing. The clear day was balmy with a pleasant breeze. Birds sang. The ground was a carpet of green grass and yellow, blue and white wild flowers. The city and lake below fashioned a beautiful panoramic view.
Before the opening prayer given by Elder Tobler, Elder Ballard said, "The purpose of this gathering is to invoke a blessing on the land of Moldova."
In his dedicatory prayer, he petitioned, "Heavenly Father, please bless the leaders of this country with Thy spirit. Bless them that they may find ways to increase the freedom and power of individual choice as they find ways to help their people to improve their living conditions.
"Help them to strengthen their families and the nation. Bless the people that their hearts may be touched by the light of the gospel so that the message of the Restoration of Thy Church and kingdom may penetrate their hearts and their minds."
After the dedication, Elder Ballard said, "Some of you will live to see the Church expand and grow into districts and stakes. We probably will not, but you young missionaries may."
