Speaking at a devotional for Latter-day Saint women in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in February, Primary General President Susan H. Porter taught, “When we come to the Savior, there are angels who will come and help us.”
Sister Kristin M. Yee, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, added in the same devotional: “When sisters come together, something wonderful happens; we need each other, and we are united in Jesus Christ, and every time we gather in His name, blessings come.”
These gospel messages of love and unity were given as President Porter and Sister Yee, joined by other leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ministered in the Church’s Caribbean Area from Feb. 9-19.
A summary and photos of the 10-day ministry were provided in a news release on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Trinidad and Tobago
The general women leaders started their trip with a devotional for members of the Port of Spain Ward in the Trinidad Port of Spain Stake. President Porter and Sister Yee were accompanied by Elder Moisés Villanueva, a General Authority Seventy and the second counselor in the Church’s Caribbean Area presidency; with his wife, Sister Leticia Villanueva; and Elder Claude R. Gamiette, an Area Seventy; with his wife, Sister Delphine Gamiette.
In her remarks, President Porter explained that Heavenly Father inspires His children to positively impact the lives of others. She encouraged the members to face their burdens with an outward focus. She reminded them that despite challenges, Heavenly Father is always willing to answer prayers. She also taught that even if circumstances don’t change, the Lord will provide impressions that lead to personal transformation.
Sister Yee reminded the Saints that there are times when the Lord may ask them to do difficult or unfamiliar things. Trust in Him, she said, as He will prepare the way.
Barbados
On Feb. 12, the leaders visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, Saint Michael, Barbados, to help celebrate the acquisition of needed equipment donated by the Church for the hospital’s use.
In the evening, they gathered with a small group of new members for a home evening at the meetinghouse in the Christ Church parish. President Porter and Sister Yee discussed examples of effectively using the Church’s home evening program to foster a sense of belonging, joy and gospel knowledge within the family unit.
On Feb. 13, the leaders met with a group of community and interfaith leaders to discuss matters of faith and service and how they could work together to improve the community.
The general women leaders later met with local members to discuss the needs of women and family concerns in the Barbados community. President Porter and Sister Yee discussed the importance of ministering and fostering love within families.
Surinam
The ministry continued in Surinam on Feb. 14-15. The general women leaders were accompanied by Elder Valerie V. Cordón, a General Authority Seventy and the first counselor in the Church’s Caribbean Area presidency; his wife, Sister Glenda Zelmira Zea Díaz; and Elder and Sister Gamiette.
A devotional was held on Feb. 14. The overall message centered on the importance of having faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and keeping the Lord’s commandments to feel His eternal peace and happiness.
On Feb. 15, the group visited the Koewarasan Public School, one of the three primary schools being refurbished as part of a Church humanitarian project, and met with school and government officials.
Later in the afternoon, President Porter and Sister Yee, accompanied by Elder Cordón and Elder Gamiette, met with the country officials to discuss the needs of the Surinamese government and how the Church can help. President Porter and Sister Yee also shared the Church’s vision of the role of women in the Church and society.
Dominican Republic
The last stop on the ministry assignment was in the Dominican Republic, where the general women leaders provided instruction to presidencies of the Primary, Young Women and Relief Society of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Elder Eduardo Gavarret, a General Authority Seventy and president of the Church’s Caribbean Area, presided at the meeting.
The following day, the leaders participated in a devotional for children, parents and Primary leaders. Using music, images, audiovisuals and messages from Church President Russell M. Nelson, President Porter taught the children how to listen carefully to the Holy Spirit and its impressions to have guidance in their lives. She asked everyone to stand and sing a verse of “I Am a Child of God,” then invited the children to share what they felt as they sang the song. The children said they felt peace, happiness and love, which President Porter explained were feelings come from the Holy Ghost.
Elder Villanueva presided at the meeting, and in closing remarks he encouraged priesthood leaders to look for opportunities to have children participate more in sacrament meetings.
On Feb. 18, President Porter and Sister Yee visited meetinghouse chapels of the Mirador and Gazcue sectors of the Dominican Republic. While visiting the members of the Mirador Chapel, President Porter related the experience of her family, which 80 years earlier immigrated to the Dominican Republic from Germany because of the persecution against the Jews. She expressed her love for the country since it was the one that sheltered and saved her family. She also expressed her feelings about prayer, the Holy Ghost and sharing God’s love with those in need.
Later that day, President Porter and Sister Yee joined Elder Gavarret and his wife, Sister Norma Gavarret, and Elder Paul H. Jean Baptiste, an Area Seventy, in a devotional for Relief Society sisters, aired via Zoom throughout Haiti.
“You may feel alone, but you are part of a great sisterhood,” President Porter said.
Added Sister Yee: “You are not forgotten. We are not present with you, but in our hearts, we are present with you, and we pray for you.”
The 10-day, four-country ministry ended with a devotional for all area employees and senior missionaries on Feb. 19 in the Church’s Caribbean Area administrative offices. After addressing those in the audience and others via Zoom, President Porter and Sister Yee met with the women of the audience for a face-to-face question-and-answer session and encouraged all to find strength in Jesus Christ.
