Elder Gong Shares Messages of Faith and Temple Blessings in Johannesburg and Du

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, encouraged members, missionaries and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Africa South Area to turn to the Savior and seek the blessings of the temple during a 9-day ministry visit in May.

Elder Gong’s ministry from May 15 through May 24, 2026, spanned South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, and Madagascar, beginning in Johannesburg. This visit was not only a moment of fellowship but also an opportunity to strengthen the faith and spirits of those present.

Accompanying Elder Gong were Elder Kevin R. Duncan, General Authority Seventy and Member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and his wife, Sister Nancy Duncan; and Elder Vaiangina Sikahema, Second Counselor in the Africa South Area Presidency, and his wife, Sister Keala Sikahema.

Johannesburg

Area Leadership Instruction Meeting

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On May 16, Church leaders – including Area Seventies and Mission, Stake and District leaders from across the Africa South Area – gathered in Sandton, Johannesburg for a leadership instruction meeting. The meeting focused on unity, discipleship, and built on Elder Gong’s recent visits to South Africa and Zimbabwe, with future outreach planned for Malawi, Namibia, and Réunion. The central focus of the instruction was the role of the priesthood in advancing the Lord’s work.

Using the analogy of rain, Elder Gong taught that just as water must reach the end of every row to nourish all plants, priesthood leaders have a responsibility to ensure that every member is reached and spiritually strengthened, especially those who may feel overlooked, “When we speak of rain, the intent is to ensure that the water reaches the end of each row, nourishing every plant,” said Elder Gong.

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Botswana Stake President Santee Lebala and District President Thatayaone Pule explaining to Elder and Sister Gong the Setswana expression “Pula e ne,” meaning “Let it rain,” or “Let the blessings descend”.
Botswana Stake President Santee Lebala and District President Thatayaone Pule explaining to Elder and Sister Gong the Setswana expression “Pula e ne,” meaning “Let it rain,” or “Let the blessings descend”. Gaborone Botswana, 16 May 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

To reflect on their recent experiences together, Elder Gong met with Church leaders from Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The leaders reflected on remarkable moments of growth and faith in their countries, including the recent dedication of the country of Eswatini and the Harare Zimbabwe Temple, over which Elder Gong presided.

Describing the blessings of the temple, President Dunstan G.B.T. Chadambuka, Zimbabwe Temple President, said: “We already begin to see the blessings of the house of the Lord in Harare, as we witness buses transporting youth to come and perform baptisms and perform ordinances on behalf of their loved ones.”

Furthermore, Botswana Stake President Santee Lebala and District President Thatayaone Pule explained to Elder and Sister Gong the Setswana expression “Pula e ne,” meaning “Let it rain,” or “Let the blessings descend”. He used the phrase to describe how blessings unfolding across the region can become a blessing to many, to which Elder Gong remarked, “We are grateful that the Lord causes it to rain everywhere at once.”

Service Project

Sister Gong and Sister Ducan joined the wives of the Area Presidency, Mission Presidents, Temple Presidents and members from the Johannesburg North and South Stakes for a service project at the Sandton meetinghouse grounds. Together, they prepared dignity packs for women and young girls in need and included in them handwritten notes of love and encouragement.

Elder-Gerrit-W.-Gong--and-Sister-Gong-meeting-with-the-volunteers-as-they-prepared-dignity-packs-and-handwritten-notes-of-love-and-encouragement-for-women-and-young-girls-in-need-as-part-of-the-service-project,-at-the-Sandton-meetinghouse-grounds,--on-the-margins-of-Elder-Elder-Gong's--2nd-Ministering-visit-to-the-Africa-South-Area.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong and Sister Gong meeting with the volunteers as they prepared dignity packs and handwritten notes of love and encouragement for women and young girls in need as part of the service project, at the Sandton meetinghouse grounds, on the margins of Elder Elder Gong's 2nd Ministering visit to the Africa South Area. Johannesburg South Africa,16 May 2026.© 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

The dignity packs were prepared for the Home of Hope for Girls, which provides a safe residence for children and teens who have survived abusive situations, many linked to child sex trafficking, and the Frida Hartley Shelter, which supports vulnerable and homeless women in Yeoville, Johannesburg.

Reflecting on the experience, Roanne Baldwin, Relief Society President from the Randburg Ward, said: “While packing the dignity kits was a wonderful act of service, many sisters were especially touched while writing individual notes to the young girls and women who would receive them. It made the experience personal. I loved watching the sisters work together, laugh together, and serve with one heart.”

Durban

Sacrament Meeting

Elder Gong and Elder Sikahema, along with their wives, as well as Elder Siyabonga Mkhize, Area Seventy, and his wife, Tumeka Mkhize, arrived in Durban on May 17, 2026, where they attended a special sacrament meeting with about 300 members and friends of the Berea and Mayville Wards. The small chapel was filled with smiles and anticipation as those in attendance listened to counsel from an Apostle of the Lord.

Elder Mkhize shared his testimony that, “if we abide in the Savior Jesus Christ, we will see success in all that we do in our lives.”

In his message, Elder Gong taught that gratitude is the foundation of love and encouraged members to draw nearer to the Savior and to Heavenly Father, whose love for His children is magnificent.

The closing hymn, “Abide with Me; ’Tis Eventide,” (Hymns, no. 165), beautifully encapsulated the spirit of the meeting and Elder Gong’s message to the Latter-day Saints in Durban. As the congregation sang, “O Savior, stay this night with me; Behold, ’tis eventide,” a spirit of peace and reverence filled the chapel.

Members-and-friends-of-the-Durban-and-Hillcrest-Stakes-at-the-Greyville-Conference-Centre,-during-Elder-Elder-Gerrit-W.-Gong--2nd-Ministering-visit-to-the-Africa-South-Area

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Stake Conference

Later that afternoon, Elder and Sister Gong and local Church leaders, addressed members and friends of the Durban and Hillcrest Stakes at the Greyville Conference Centre where the message of divine love and the blessings of temples were emphasized.

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In his remarks, Elder Sikahema testified of Savior’s redeeming love: “I bear witness, brothers and sisters, as we rid ourselves of our sins. We confess them. We can be made clean and whole through the Savior's atonement. We can be worthy to receive a temple recommend, and we can go worship in the house of God.”

Elder Duncan also testified of the temple’s sacred blessings, “My witness to you, brothers and sisters, is that the Lord stands at the door of the temple with open arms. When you go to the temple, imagine to yourself that He's there because He is.”

Elder Gong concluded the meeting with a heartfelt blessing upon the congregation, “May the Lord bless you in every way. May He bless you for your goodness. May He bless you for your faithfulness. May He bless you for your righteous desires. May He bless you in your health. May He bless you in your family relationships and professions. May He bless you with all the blessings promised in your patriarchal blessings and with all the things you righteously desire.”

Throughout their visit, Elder and Sister Gong warmly embraced those they met, shaking hands, learning names, and expressing gratitude for their faith and devotion.