Sister Spannaus Strengthens Youth, Leaders and Communities Across the Africa South Area 

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During a ministry tour across Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Lesotho, Sister Andrea Veronica Spannaus, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, accompanied by her husband, Brother Alin Spannaus , invited youth and leaders to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ while highlighting the Church's commitment to uplifting communities through humanitarian service. 

Her visit included youth devotionals, leadership training, ministry to families and visits to education and healthcare projects benefiting thousands of people across the region. Throughout her messages, Sister Spannaus emphasized a recurring theme: when individuals build their lives on Jesus Christ, they can overcome challenges, discover their divine potential, and bless others through service. 

Helping Youth Focus on Jesus Christ 

In Madagascar, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, Sister Spannaus met with youth and FSY participants, encouraging them to keep Jesus Christ at the center of their lives. 

Using the story of long-distance swimmer Florence Chadwick, who overcame discouragement and completed a challenging ocean swim after keeping her destination clearly in mind, Sister Spannaus compared life’s obstacles to the fog that can obscure spiritual goals. 

“Sometimes fear, stress, uncertainty, self-doubt, or negative influences become the fog that stands between us and our goals,” she taught. “When we keep our focus on the Lord, we can move forward with faith.”

The message resonated with youth who were encouraged to confront their own fears and challenges. Nathan Rajaoferson said hearing Sister Spannaus and other youth share their experiences during the devotional inspired him to face his own challenges with greater courage. 

“[It] made me want to be more courageous, and I can do that with faith in Jesus Christ,” he said. 

Youth were given the opportunity to discuss the challenges they faced, including fears, negative thinking, technology distractions, lack of confidence, and uncertainty about the future. Sister Spannaus testified that a strong relationship with Jesus Christ provides strength and direction during difficult times. 

Drawing from the scriptures, she invited youth to strengthen their faith through prayer, scripture study, seminary, sacrament worship, repentance, gratitude and service to others. 

The devotionals concluded with youth singing the 2026 youth theme song, "Walk With Me," and sharing testimonies of the Savior's influence in their lives. 

Training Leaders to Strengthen the Rising Generation

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A major focus of Sister Spannaus's ministry was helping leaders better support youth. She met with stake, district, ward and branch leaders, along with bishops, branch presidents and Young Women leaders, to provide instruction on the Church's updated For the Strength of Youth curriculum and the role leaders play in helping youth become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. 

Drawing from Jacob 5, she reminded leaders that they do not labor alone. 

“We are not working by ourselves. This is Jesus Christ’s Church. He will guide us and help us find answers to better address the needs of the youth and serve them.”

She taught that three key objectives for their work with the rising generation are: 

• Believe in Jesus Christ.
• Belong to His Church.
• Become more like Him.

The responsibility to help young people recognize their potential resonated with Belinda O’Moore, stake Young Women president in the Johannesburg North Stake. 

“They have a great work to do. I think they're going to have even greater work than what we have. So it’s so important that we get, I think the phrase she used is the doctrine written in our hearts,” she said. 

Sister Spannaus introduced the updated For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices and the new curriculum based on it, which emphasizes scripture-based learning, meaningful discussion, testimony sharing and practical gospel application. 

The curriculum encourages youth to deepen their understanding of gospel doctrine, prepare for temple ordinances and missionary service, and strengthen their discipleship throughout life. 

“We encourage conversation,” she said. “Youth need opportunities to share experiences, ask questions and participate in learning the gospel.”

She encouraged leaders to create interactive learning experiences rather than relying solely on lecture-based teaching. 

Mentoring Youth and Teaching Divine Identity 

Throughout her instruction, Sister Spannaus emphasized the importance of mentoring and empowering youth. 

She encouraged adult leaders to guide young people as they learn to teach, lead and serve, helping them gain confidence through positive experiences and meaningful opportunities to participate. 

“The youth need to know that they are loved, understood and supported,” she said. “Every interaction should help them feel closer to the Savior.”

She also discussed the Young Women age-group names, explaining how they help young women understand their purpose as disciples of Jesus Christ: Builders of Faith, Messengers of Hope, Gatherers of Light. 

Concluding her training, Sister Spannaus spoke about the importance of helping youth understand their divine identity. 

Drawing on scriptural examples, she taught three fundamental truths every young person can benefit from knowing: 

• God is their Father. 
• They are His sons and daughters. 
• He has a work for them to do. 

“Teach them who they are,” she urged. “They are chosen and called. The Lord has a work for them to do.”

Elder Ngqabutho F. Moyo, Area Seventy, reflecting on the personal application of Sister Spannaus’s message shared, “If there are changes you need to make in your life that prevent you from allowing you to see the eternal destiny that you're chasing, make those changes immediately. Now is a good time to make those changes and begin to walk the path, the path towards eternal life.” 

Local leaders expressed gratitude for the instruction and renewed their commitment to help youth develop faith in Jesus Christ, feel a sense of belonging in His Church and become lifelong disciples. 

Ministering One by One 

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While in Lesotho, Sister Spannaus also ministered to members and families affected by the tragic Maputsoe bus accident of June 2025. 

She met with grieving families and individuals affected by the tragedy, listened to their experiences, offered comfort, and testified to the healing power of Jesus Christ. 

Her ministry reflected the Savior’s pattern of caring for individuals one by one. She encouraged those who continue to mourn to look to Jesus Christ for peace, strength and hope, reaffirming that the blessings of the gospel and eternal families provide comfort during life's most difficult circumstances. 

Supporting Communities Through Humanitarian Service 

Sister Spannaus’s visit also underscored the Church’s commitment to improving lives through humanitarian service across Southern Africa. 

In Mozambique, she visited humanitarian initiatives focused on strengthening education and healthcare services through partnerships with government institutions and local communities. 

In Beira, she visited the Primary School in Inhamizua, a project implemented in collaboration with the Provincial Directorate of Education in Sofala. The completed phase provided five new classrooms, 175 learner desks and chairs, renovated two cyclone-damaged classrooms, upgraded sanitation facilities, and installed a new water system. She also learned about the ongoing second phase, which includes constructing four additional classrooms, a teacher meeting room, 100 learner desks, renovating an administrative block, installing a water system, and refurbishing sanitation facilities. Located near Church meetinghouses in an area with a strong Church presence, the project is helping create a safer and more effective learning environment for hundreds of students. 

In Maputo, Sister Spannaus visited the José Macamo Hospital, where the Church collaborated with local health authorities to strengthen neonatal and pediatric care. The initiative provided essential medical equipment, including incubators, ventilators, neonatal warmers, phototherapy units, oximeters, cardiac monitoring equipment, and other treatment tools. These resources are helping improve newborn care and increase survival rates for vulnerable infants and children. 

In Madagascar, accompanied by President Robert J. Campbell and Sister Ruth Campbell, she visited projects that are strengthening education and healthcare services throughout the country. 

Among them was the recently completed renovation of Lycée Moderne Ampefiloha, Madagascar's largest high school, serving approximately 3,500 students. Completed in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, the project improved classrooms, sanitation facilities, administrative offices, sports grounds, and other infrastructure, creating a safer, more welcoming learning environment. 

The delegation also visited a Church-supported healthcare initiative that provided specialized equipment to diagnose and treat Sickle Cell Disease, helping improve care for patients and families. 

These projects reflect the Church's ongoing efforts to address local needs through partnerships that strengthen education, healthcare, and community development, demonstrating a commitment to caring for individuals and communities throughout Africa through meaningful humanitarian service. 

A Message of Faith, Belonging and Hope 

Across the five countries in the Africa South Area, Sister Spannaus shared a message centered on faith in Jesus Christ, compassionate service, and the divine potential of the rising generation. 

Whether teaching youth, training leaders, ministering to grieving families, or visiting humanitarian projects, she testified that Jesus Christ is the source of strength and hope for individuals, families and communities. 

Her ministry reinforced a simple but powerful truth: as people draw closer to the Savior, they can overcome challenges, serve others with greater love, and help build a brighter future for generations to come.