Elder Gérald Caussé of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles landed his first international visit as an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his home country of France.
“It is not by chance that my first official visit as an Apostle to a country outside of the United States is my home country of France,” the apostle wrote in a caption accompanying a roughly 3-minute video posted Tuesday to his social media accounts.
The posted video features Elder Caussé — who was born in Bordeaux, France — speaking comfortably in his native tongue as he visited old friends with his wife, Sister Valérie Caussé, as part of a ministry trip to France.
“I am so happy that part of the visit was a reunion with my dear friend Sylvain and his family,” wrote Elder Caussé in his video caption.
Sylvain is a friend of Elder Caussé that the apostle visited and ministered to for seven consecutive years, roughly 15 to 20 years ago, when he lived in France.
The video pictures Elder Caussé, Sylvain and his wife discussing the impact of their relationship and Elder Caussé’s service to them.
“I am deeply grateful for what you did for Sylvain, because he went through difficult periods, and you were always there — both of you,” Sylvain’s wife said, speaking of Elder Caussé and his wife who sat beside him.
Moved to tears, Sylvain said that Elder Caussé’s presence and one-on-one interactions with him taught him “what the love of Christ truly is.”
Elder Caussé’s presence “taught me that being friends in Christ is far deeper than simply social friendship or anything else,” Sylvain said.
“It’s true that it was a very difficult period, and you probably saved my life several times.”
Elder Caussé thanked Sylvain, saying there are “many things” he learned and understands now because of him.
He said Sylvain’s difficulties were foreign to him — things he had “never experienced” himself, but that as he listened, he was made “aware of certain things, certain sufferings experienced by many people.”
“I believe (this experience) gave me greater compassion and understanding for others, which I can now use,” Elder Caussé told Sylvain and his family in their home.
“When we minister, our role is to bring the Savior’s love,” the apostle also wrote in his caption, reflecting on the experience.
Elder Caussé is one of three church leaders visiting Europe this week, according to a news release published on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
His visit has already included meeting with Latter-day Saint members and congregations in the greater Paris area, and will include connecting with both new and long-standing congregations and community members spanning Versailles to Marseille, France.
The church is “seeing a surge of baptisms in France right now,” the apostle said during one of his recent visits to congregations in Paris.
Elder Caussé also said in another church news release that he considers the call to apostleship as “sacred.”
“Valérie (his wife) pointed out to me that it is part of my role as an apostle to express kindness in the name of Jesus Christ,” he said. “It’s not simply about giving speeches, but also about having the same kind of contact Christ had with each person individually.”
This week, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will similarly be meeting with Latter-day Saints and communities in Romania, Germany and the Netherlands. Elder S. Mark Palmer of the church’s Presidency of the Seventy will be meeting with church and community members in Spain, Germany, France and Switzerland.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes more than 500,000 members across Europe,” a church news release states.
“Visits from global church leaders offer opportunities to strengthen congregations, build relationships with local partners and share messages that speak to people of all backgrounds.”
Find more updates on theirs and other church leaders’ ministries on TheChurchNews.com.