First Presidency meets with ambassadors from Portugal and Dominican Republic

These meetings emphasize the importance of diplomatic dialogue and foster mutual respect globally

17 Jan 2025, 5:00 p.m. MST

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — President Russell M. Nelson, left, and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring — meets with Ambassador Francisco António Duarte Lopes of Portugal in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Emerson Manning is an intern for the Church News.

On Temple Square this week, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring — welcomed ambassadors from both Portugal and the Dominican Republic to the United States.

These meetings emphasize not only the significance of diplomatic dialogue and collaboration in tackling global challenges but also the importance of fostering mutual respect and understanding among nations, reported ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Both Portugal and the Dominican Republic are home to many Latter-day Saints.

Roughly 48,000 Latter-day Saints live in Portugal, where Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited last year.

The Dominican Republic is home to some 150,000 Latter-day Saints. President Jeffrey R. Holland, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, visited the country in November 2024.

Ambassador Francisco António Duarte Lopes of Portugal

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, left, joins hands with Ambassador Francisco António Duarte Lopes of Portugal, right, during a visit in the Church Administration Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The First Presidency met with Ambassador Francisco António Duarte Lopes of Portugal on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Ambassador Duarte Lopes has served over three decades as a public service diplomat.

He previously served as permanent representative of Portugal to the United Nations and held key leadership positions at Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his time as Portugal’s ambassador, he has promoted Portugal’s multilateral diplomacy by advancing initiatives related to peace, sustainable development and human rights.

Front row, from left to right: President Dallin H. Oaks, First Presidency first counselor; His Excellency Francisco António Duarte Lopes, Portugal's ambassador to the United States; President Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church; and President Henry B. Eyring, First Presidency second counselor. Back row, from left: Luis Camara Manoel, Honorary consul general to Portugal; Dr. Filipe Ramalheira, consul general of Portugal; Elder José Augusto Teixeira of the Presidency of the Seventy; and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

First Presidency welcomes Bulgaria’s ambassador to the U.S.

Ambassador Sonia Guzmán of the Dominican Republic

On Thursday, Jan. 16, the First Presidency met with Sonia Guzmán, the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to the United States.

Ambassador Guzmán has been serving in this position since November 2020 and is celebrated for her extensive career in public service and diplomacy.

Born in Santiago de los Caballeros, Ambassador Guzmán has become the first woman to represent her country in this capacity.

She also holds a distinguished academic background with degrees in both library science and public administration.