News Release

Apostle to Talk Face to Face with African Youth

Youth in Africa will have the opportunity to ask questions of an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a live Face to Face event originating from the Ghana Missionary Training Center.

 

On August 5, 2017, Elder Dale G. Renlund and his wife, Ruth Lybbert Renlund, will host the Face to Face event for youth who reside in the African continent. This event will originate from Accra, Ghana, and will feature two broadcasts: the first in English, Portuguese, and Malagasy at 10:00 a.m. GMT, and the second in French at 1:00 p.m. GMT.

“We lived in Johannesburg for five years,” said Sister Renlund. “We are so excited to meet with our members in Africa West and Africa Southeast Areas. Through the miracle of technology we have an opportunity to meet with all the youth of Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion in a Face to Face event.”

In a video invitation Elder Renlund said, “We are thrilled to return to Africa. You hold a special place in our hearts. We pray for you always and ask the Lord to bless and protect you.”  

Encouraging youth from Africa to submit questions prior to the event, Elder Renlund said, “Before you submit your questions, please prayerfully read . . . James 1:2-8 and Alma 37:35-37. Ponder how Joseph Smith prepared himself to receive an answer to his questions. Then submit your questions as directed.”

Joseph Smith was the founder and first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He continued, “I promise we will work hard to prepare ourselves to address your questions so we can all learn together. If we all prepare, the Lord will bless us as we gather on August 5.”

Youth can submit their gospel questions through WhatsApp at +1 385 489 9669 or directly at facetoface.lds.org/renlund.  For every question selected, the submitter’s name and question will be read out loud during the live broadcast.

The broadcast will originate from Accra, Ghana, but youth can watch the broadcast live on:

· Facetoface.lds.org

· Facebook.com/ldsyouth

· youtube.com/user/MormonMessagesYouth

· And in designated meetinghouses

More information about the event is available in four languages:

· English: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/renlund?lang=eng  

· French: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/renlund?lang=fra

· Portuguese: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/renlund?lang=por

· Malagasy: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/face-to-face/renlund?lang=mlg

The Africa Face to Face broadcast will be archived on LDS.org. Follow the conversation on the LDS Youth Facebook page or on other social media channels using the hashtag #LDSface2face.

Previous Face to Face events have featured Latter-day Saint performers such as the cast of “Studio C”, the Piano Guys, as well as Church leaders Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president. In March President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency and Elder Jeffrey R Holland of the Quorum on the Twelve Apostles, participated in a Face to Face broadcast from Palmyra, New York.

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