On March 17, 1993, with his back to the Baltic Sea, Elder James E. Faust of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the country of Latvia in Eastern Europe for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This was in front of a small gathering of missionaries and new members.
Sixteen years later, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve became the second Mormon apostle to visit Latvia. Elder Ronald A. Rasband, senior president of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder Wolfgang H. Paul of the Seventy and president of the Europe East Area, accompanied Elder Perry on this visit. Also in attendance were their wives.
Accompanied by Baltic Mission President Douglas L. Dance, they began their visit to Latvia by going to historical, architectural and religious sites in the capital city of Riga. Seeing evidences of some of the tragic sacrifices for freedom, Elder Perry commented on the great spirit of the Latvian people and their preparedness to hear the message of the gospel.
Latvia was a pawn in World War II and a former Soviet Union satellite country. Because it is on a key east-west trade route it has been invaded and controlled by outside powers for centuries. Desires for freedom and self-rule cost the lives of many Latvians, particularly in the 20th century. Latvia experienced a brief period of independence in the early 20th century; but it was not until the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 that a democratic and independent Republic of Latvia was again re-established.
With this independence, Latvia joined the first opening wave of the gospel in Eastern Europe. The first missionaries arrived in Riga on June 17, 1992. A few months later, Elder Faust unlocked the doors of Latvia to the preaching of the gospel.Since that day, almost 50 Latvian young men and women have served or are now serving full-time missions throughout the world. More than 800 members of the church gather in six branches that are led by Latvian priesthood leaders and sisters. Elder Gvido Senkans, one of the first members in Latvia, now serves as an Area Seventy. The church has constructed two meetinghouses in Latvia, one in Riga and one soon to be dedicated in Liepaja. Families are being sealed and their children are receiving baptism. Second-generation members are joining recent converts to establish the church in Latvia.
During his historic visit, Elder Perry, along with Elder Rasband and Elder Paul, met and taught missionaries from the Baltic Mission in Riga. In the morning they instructed the missionaries to tap into the hearts of the people by using the Book of Mormon, to always find people to teach through asking for names from everyone, and to take advantage of the power of their companionship and become master teachers.
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This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News.