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 and friends of the Church, local leaders, and government officials in South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, and Madagascar.
Inspiring Members and Missionaries in Angola
During his ministry in Angola, Elder Gong was accompanied by his wife, Sister Susan Gong; Elder Denelson Silva, First Counselor in the Africa South Area Presidency, and his wife, Sister Regina Silva; as well as Elder Amândio A. Feijó and his wife, Sister Dionisia Feijó.
On May 21, friends, members and missionaries of the Church gathered at the Nova Vida Chapel in Luanda Angola at a spirit-filled devotional to hear the words of an Apostle of the Lord.
Elder and Sister Silva testified of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and taught that it is a manifestation of God’s love for all His children. Elder Silva concluded by inviting those in attendance to let faith guide their lives. “Doubt your questions before doubting your faith,” he said.
Elder Gong 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. He shared with the members that while many things remain beyond our ability to fix, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can heal and restore all things.
He also invited everyone to prepare for the future house of the Lord in the region. The Angola Luanda Temple was announced during the October 2023 general conference. “The great plan of happiness of our Father in Heaven is for us to be happy forever in families,” Elder Gong said. 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.”
Missionary Meeting in Madagascar
On May 23, Elder and Sister Gong met with missionaries from the Madagascar Antananarivo South and North Missions at the Tsaralalana Chapel. 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 invited them to care for one another and to be bold without being overbearing. He also 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 gospel examples.
Many missionaries, including Sister Fanomezantsoa and her companion, both from Madagascar, said they left the meeting with a stronger assurance of the Savior’s love and a renewed commitment to their missionary service.
Sacred Connection Between Generations: Special Conference in Madagascar
During a special conference on May 24, close to 4 000 members and friends of the Church gathered at the Olympia in Antananarivo for a devotional with Elder Gong as he concluded his second ministering visit to the Africa South Area. A spirit of faith and devotion filled the meeting as Elder Gong testified, “The gospel is true. It is all true. And it is always true.”
Elder Gong was joined by his wife, Sister Susan Gong; Elder Vaiangina Sikahema, Second Counselor in the Africa South Area Presidency, and his wife, Sister Keala Sikahema; and Elder Carl F. Krauss and his wife, Sister Amy Krauss.
Sister Amy Krauss bearing her testimony at the Olympia during a Special Conference in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on the margins of Elder Gong’s 2nd Ministering visit to the Africa South Area 24 May 2026
Sister Amy Krauss bearing her testimony at the Olympia during a Special Conference in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on the margins of Elder Elder Gong’s 2nd Ministering visit to the Africa South Area, May 24, 2026© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Sister Krauss testified of the Savior’s redeeming power, emphasizing repentance, daily prayer, and the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost. Elder Krauss reaffirmed the Restoration, declaring Joseph Smith’s divine calling and the Book of Mormon as a source of guidance. “The presence of Church leadership among the Saints in Madagascar is indeed a significant spiritual opportunity, one that should be cherished,” he remarked.
Sister Sikahema testified to members of their divine worth, teaching that God is aware of our individual needs. “We are each valuable and important in the eyes of our Heavenly Father,” she said. She also encouraged unity and Christlike love, emphasizing that diversity is part of God’s design.
Elder Vaiangina Sikahema Second Counselor in the Africa South Area Presidency addressing a Special Conference in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on the margins of Elder Gong’s 2nd Ministering visit to the Africa South Area, 24 May 2026.
Elder Vaiangina Sikahema Second Counselor in the Africa South Area Presidency addressing a Special Conference in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on the margins of Elder Gong’s 2nd Ministering visit to the Africa South Area, May 24, 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Sikahema expressed gratitude for the faith of members in Madagascar, noting Church growth through new stakes and faithful missionary service. He encouraged families to prepare the next generation for discipleship.
A central theme of the gathering was the sacred connection between generations. Sister Gong taught that even the love we do not consciously remember has shaped our lives and deserves our gratitude. She encouraged members to recognize that many of life’s blessings come from both others and the Savior, guiding us toward happiness and eternal life. She emphasized the importance of the temple in uniting families and extending gospel blessings to ancestors, teaching: “We cannot be saved without our ancestors, and they cannot be saved without us,” she taught.
Sister Gong invited members to prepare for the temple by living righteously, finding the names of their ancestors, and learning family stories, saying, “As we learn their stories, we will feel closer to our ancestors. Families are part of the eternal plan of happiness.” She concluded by encouraging everyone to help preserve their family history and strengthen connections between generations.
Elder 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,” he said, emphasizing that learning about those who came before, fosters gratitude and a deeper understanding of identity. He encouraged everyone to speak with parents and grandparents, preserve family history, and prepare names for temple ordinances.
As construction on the Antananarivo Madagascar Temple continues, Elder Gong taught about the sacred blessings the temple will bring. He explained that temples are places where families can be sealed together forever and where saving ordinances are performed on behalf of ancestors.
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”, Elder Gong said.
Elder Gong concluded by sharing an apostolic blessing upon the island nation, "As an Apostle of the Lord, I bless you and your family. Bless your health, your education and your work. And the Holy Ghost to confirm and increase your faith, hope and charity. Jesus is the Living Son. President Dallin H. Oaks is the Prophet leading us today. The gospel is true. It is all true. And it is always true.”
Speaking on his experience at the special conference, 13-year-old Kayel Ratelolahy shared, “During this conference, I felt so much joy. 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.”
Elder Gong’s ministry across the Africa South Area strengthened faith and unity among members, missionaries, and leaders and friends of the Church. His teachings on temples, family connections, and discipleship left a lasting spiritual impact throughout the region.