News Release

Elder Joseph Sitati and Presiding Bishop Gerald Causse visit Nairobi

Counsel is given to Leaders, Members and Youth in Nairobi Stakes

On 9 November Elder Joseph W. Sitati, 1st Counselor in the Southeast Area Presidency, held meetings to introduce Bishop Gerald Causse, Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Having been born in Bordeaux, France, Bishop Causse is the third presiding bishop to be born outside of the United States and the first for whom English is a second language. Bishop Causse is married to Valerie Lucienne Babin and together they are the parents of five children.The office of the Presiding Bishop manages the Church’s temporal affairs such as the distribution of tithes and offerings, administering programs to assist the poor and overseeing the design, construction and maintenance of meeting houses and temples. 

In his first meeting, Elder Sitati also introduced Maurius Von Mollendorff, the current director of temporal affairs in the Africa South East Area and brother Steven Maynes, the new DiTA in the newly created Africa Central Area to Church employees at Upperhill. Brother Maynes urged employees to find joy through keeping covenants while Bishop Causse encouraged them to simplify church operations reflecting the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He added an emphasis on integrity. Elder Sitati stated that the work employees do magnifies the calling of the priesthood leaders and encouraged all to be united.

  

Later, stake presidents, bishops and branch presidents gathered at Upper Hill Chapel to receive instruction from Elder Sitati and Bishop Causse. Elder Sitati, who presided, called it a “special honor” to have Bishop Causse in Kenya and mentioned the meeting was part of an Area Review held annually. Citing Doctrine and Covenants 107, Bishop Causse led a discussion detailing the responsibilities of a bishop then quoted Elder Bruce R. McConkie, formerly of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Church runs on the backs of the bishops of the Church, they are the shepherds of the flock.” Bishop Causse instructed the bishops and branch presidents to make sure the needs of the youth in their units were their greatest priority and encouraged them to attend classes on Sunday to ensure correct doctrine is being taught. He also indicated that the stake presidents’ roll is to train bishops and motivate high councilmen to train elders quorum presidents.

Elder Sitati concluded the meeting with the scripture in John 15:5-7 “I am the vine and ye are the branches...Abide in me, and I in you...If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.” 

 

In the Sunday morning sacrament meeting at Upper Hill Ward, Elder Sitati announced that Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland was visiting the Africa Southeast Area in Johannesburg and introduced Bishop Causse to the members. In a few subsequent remarks, he refered to the spacious building in Lehi’s dream in the Book of Mormon, giving assurances that those who follow the prophets will be preserved at the last day. Sister Natanya Von Mollendorff followed, highlighting the importance of reaching out to others and Sister Valerie Causse reminded the congregants that Heavenly Father loves all equally, stating, “Love doesn’t divide, it multiplies.”

During the youth fireside the same day, Bishop Causse extolled the virtue of temple attendance and encouraged young people to prepare for the Nairobi temple opening. “Don’t wait for the temple to be built, be ready, go to your bishop for a recommend. The closest we can feel to the Savior is going to the altars of the temple and making covenants. We are His people, the covenant people of Christ.”

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