Apostle emphasizes temple preparation in Angola and Madagascar and visits a hospital in Mozambique
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently concluded a nine-day visit to the Africa South Area, where he met with members of the Church, local leaders and government officials in South Africa, Mozambique, Angola and Madagascar at the end of May.
Mozambique
While ministering in Beira on May 20, 2026, Elder Gong and his wife, Susan, visited Hospital Central da Beira for the official handover of physiotherapy equipment donated by the Church.
Hospital Director Dr. Amir Seni, along with Assane Abdala, director of provincial health services, and Edgar Itai Meque, provincial chief medical officer, welcomed the group and guided them through the hospital facilities.
The newly donated physiotherapy equipment will help strengthen rehabilitation services and support patients recovering from injury, illness and other medical conditions requiring long-term care. Dr. Amir noted that the equipment would bless the lives of the estimated 1,200 patients cared for at the hospital at any given time.
Throughout the visit, Elder and Sister Gong expressed appreciation to healthcare workers for their compassion, dedication and service to the people of Mozambique.
Speaking about the ongoing needs in the region, Elder Gong said, “We know you’re doing incredible things to bless many people under challenging circumstances,” he said, expressing gratitude to the healthcare workers. “Every day, you bless mothers and children who are sick, and we give you our highest respect and honor.”
Hospital Central da Beira, which is more than 100 years old, is the primary referral hospital for Sofala Province and serves communities across central Mozambique. Many patients whose needs cannot be met at local clinics and smaller health centers are transferred there for specialized treatment and rehabilitation services.
In 2025, the Church, in collaboration with UNICEF, renovated the Kangaroo Mother Care Unit, which assists mothers and newborn babies recovering after leaving the neonatal intensive care unit. The Church is also supporting the ongoing rehabilitation of the maternity and delivery ward, helping improve maternal and neonatal care for families throughout the region.
While in Sofala Province, Elder Gong met with His Excellency Manuel Rodrigues Alberto, Secretary of State for Sofala Province, to discuss the Church’s ongoing humanitarian and community efforts in the region.
During the meeting, Elder Gong highlighted the Church’s participation in healthcare initiatives, including assistance to Hospital Central da Beira following the destruction caused by Cyclone Idai, as well as donations of medical equipment and supplies to strengthen rehabilitation services.
His Excellency expressed appreciation for the Church’s efforts, and the positive impact of its humanitarian programs continues to have on communities, particularly for women and children.
On May 19 in Beira, Elder and Sister Gong spent an evening with nearly 1,400 young adults, encouraging them to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and pursue education.
“I testify that the Savior heals our hearts,” said Sister Gong. “He sweetens our relationships. He promises a glorious resurrection.”
Elder Gong taught the young adults that education is a lifelong process of growth and becoming.
“Every kind of education that can help someone is good education,” he said. “We all need to have education to help take care of ourselves, to be self-reliant. The more different things we can do, the more we can bless other people.”
Angola
In Luanda, Angola, on May 21, Elder Gong met with friends, members and missionaries of the Church. He spoke tenderly of the hardships people often face, teaching that present challenges are temporary and that Heavenly Father desires His children to experience eternal happiness.
Elder Gong reminded members that while many things remain beyond our ability to fix, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can heal and restore all things.
The Apostle also invited everyone to prepare for the future house of the Lord in the region. “The great plan of happiness of our Father in Heaven is for us to be happy forever in families,” Elder Gong said. “To make things happy and forever, He gives us the holy temple. It’s time we prepare to come, not just once, not just once a year, but to come often because every day we need the Lord’s blessings.”
Madagascar
During a special conference on May 24, nearly 4,000 members and friends of the Church gathered in Antananarivo to hear from Elder Gong.
Elder and Sister Gong Gong invited members to reflect on the sacrifices of their ancestors and to seek out their stories. “We have no idea how much has been given to us,” they said, emphasizing that learning about those who came before fosters gratitude and a deeper understanding of identity.
Elder Gong encouraged everyone to speak with parents and grandparents, preserve family history and prepare names for temple ordinances.
As construction on the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple begins, Elder Gong taught about the sacred blessings the temple will bring.
He described the temple as a place that helps individuals see their place in God’s eternal family, past, present and future generations. Members were invited to remain faithful, repent often and follow the covenant path so they can return to God “as families … spotless and clean.”
“During this conference, I felt so much joy,” 13-year-old Kayel Ratelolahy shared. “What touched me the most is knowing that God forgives me every day. I’ve also realized that God is always with me, present at every stage of my life.”
On May 23, Elder and Sister Gong met with missionaries in Madagascar. They shared messages centered on the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Elder Gong encouraged missionaries to serve with the attitude, “The more I can do, the more I can bless others.” He taught that missionary work is about helping bring everyone to Jesus Christ by reaching out to others, understanding where they are, listening and learning, and being good examples.
