Elder Ulisses Soares Ministers to Saints In the Africa Central Area

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On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered an inspiring message to nearly 500 missionaries gathered at the Kinshasa Stake Center in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This special meeting was held via video conference from Nairobi, Kenya, where Elder Soares was located.

During the meeting, he encouraged missionaries to center their lives and service on Jesus Christ, whom he described as the true source of joy.

“We can feel joy when we focus on Jesus Christ and His gospel,” said Elder Soares.

He reminded them that missionary goals are not merely tasks to complete, but opportunities to draw closer to the Savior. By learning and living the gospel, missionaries discover deep and lasting joy.

“Joy is a gift that comes to us when we intentionally choose to live our lives in harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Elder Soares also urged the missionaries to stay focused on what matters most, to ponder on the teachings of the Savior on the Sermon on the Mount and to live their faith with consistency and commitment. He stated that this focus on Christ would help them overcome all of life’s challenges.

Quoting President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Soares said, “Jesus Christ is the source of our joy. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy.”

Finally, he reminded them of the Lord’s promise.“Blessed are those who follow the commandments and do them. Rejoice, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

This powerful message strengthened the missionaries’ faith and invited them to live their missions with a renewed, Christ-centered perspective.

Elder and Sister Soares Visit Brazzaville

On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the BYU Global Education Center and the Institute of Religion in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, had a historic and spiritually uplifting visit. Elder Soares, accompanied by his wife, Rosana, met with students and local leaders. They were joined by Elder Thierry K. Mutombo, President of the Africa Central Area, and his wife, along with Elder Charden Ndinga and his wife. The visit was marked by messages of encouragement, testimony and a reaffirmation of divine identity and purpose for the rising generation.

In his remarks, Elder Soares emphasized the importance of seeking and following divine guidance in life. He likened this guidance to a “spiritual GPS,” explaining that God has provided tools to help His children return to Him.  

“God has provided spiritual GPSes to us. What are some of these spiritual GPSes? The prophets and the apostles, the scriptures, prayer, the teachings of your local leaders of the Church, and especially the Holy Ghost,” he said. “Through his instruction and guidance, we can walk in this life, make decisions in righteousness and return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.”

He also testified of the role of living prophets, stating, “President Russell M. Nelson is the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been called by God to guide God's children on earth. And that's one of the glorious messages of the restoration of the gospel — that we have prophets on earth today who can guide us toward God, and he receives revelation to give us guidance. So, as members of the Church and non-members, we are very blessed to have a prophet on earth. So, if we follow his direction, we'll not be lost.”

Elder Mutombo shared a personal story about his experience as a young man facing peer pressure and doubt. He testified of the strength that comes from remembering one’s divine identity.

“What helped me overcome that difficult moment of doubt as a young person was the fact that I could remember my personal identity. I knew who I was — that I was a child of God and that He loves me,” he said.

He added, “Secondly, I knew the world would deceive me, friends would abandon me, but Christ and His Church would never fail me and never abandon me. And so, I quickly pulled myself together because I knew I had an identity — one that I had to defend.”

Elder Mutombo also reminded students of their divine potential. “You are a generation that was sent to this earth not to fail, but to be agents of change, and the Lord knows you are capable of doing it.”

Sister Soares shared a touching reflection on the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, expressing her desire to walk with the Savior and learn from Him.

“In a very real way, we can be with Him as we listen to the prophets teaching of Him,” she said. “Read His words in the scriptures and invite Him to be part of our daily lives.”

She encouraged students to study the scriptures with the intent to know the Lord’s will and to become His friend.

Elder Soares concluded the event at the BYU Global Education Center with a promise. “If you follow that direction correctly, the Lord will bless you forever. Maybe not the way you expect that He will bless you, but in the ways that He feels are best for us.”

On Saturday, May 24, 2025, Elder Soares, accompanied by the Africa Central Area Presidency, visited the Diata Stake Centre in Brazzaville, where he counseled with local leaders in the morning and addressed members during an afternoon devotional.

He also provided instruction and counseled with mission leaders from the 15 missions in the Africa Central Area while traveling through Brazzaville.