Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles arrived from Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday, Oct. 31 to meet with members of the Asheville, NC stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Nelson, who turned 90 in September, was accompanied by R. Randall Bluth, an Area Seventy from Prairieville, Louisiana.
Local priesthood leadership met with Elders Nelson and Bluth for a training meeting on Saturday, followed by an evening session of Stake Conference. On Sunday, Nov. 2, members filled the Stake Assembly Building in Arden, NC to capacity where Elder Nelson counseled members about the importance of teaching their children the principles of the Gospel and the importance of furthering the Lord's work through missionary efforts. He then bore testimony of Jesus Christ and left those in attendance with an apostolic blessing.
Elder Nelson, a pioneer in the medical field and renowned Cardiothoracic surgeon, was called to the apostleship in April of 1984. His expertise, and his extensive connections within the medical community were valuable as he transitioned into full time volunteer service for the church, assisting him in building bridges of friendship and faith with many nations that previously closed their doors to the Mormons.
All leadership positions within the LDS Church are volunteer. The lay ministry, from the highest offices of the church down to leaders and teachers within local congregations, consists of men and women from all walks of life, with various careers, experiences, and skills. While members of the 12 apostles, like Elder Nelson, are called for life, local leaders serve for shorter periods of time and may hold many different callings and handle a variety of responsibilities through the years of their church service.
While in Asheville, Elder Nelson worked with Elder Bluth to reorganize the leadership of the Asheville, NC stake, changes made effective at Sunday's meeting. President Wallace. W. Booth was released as President of the Asheville Stake, as were his counselors, Grant R. Hardy, and Dale A. Curriden.
Bartel Van Oostendorp, of Hendersonville was called as the new Stake President with Steve Hargadon and John Garner, both of Asheville, serving as counselors.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah has more than 15 million members worldwide, with 29,000 congregations and church materials printed in 189 languages. 88,000 missionaries are serving in 406 missions all over the world. The Asheville, North Carolina stake consists of 11 units in western North Carolina and northern Georgia and has more than 3000 members.
Local priesthood leadership met with Elders Nelson and Bluth for a training meeting on Saturday, followed by an evening session of Stake Conference. On Sunday, Nov. 2, members filled the Stake Assembly Building in Arden, NC to capacity where Elder Nelson counseled members about the importance of teaching their children the principles of the Gospel and the importance of furthering the Lord's work through missionary efforts. He then bore testimony of Jesus Christ and left those in attendance with an apostolic blessing.
Elder Nelson, a pioneer in the medical field and renowned Cardiothoracic surgeon, was called to the apostleship in April of 1984. His expertise, and his extensive connections within the medical community were valuable as he transitioned into full time volunteer service for the church, assisting him in building bridges of friendship and faith with many nations that previously closed their doors to the Mormons.
All leadership positions within the LDS Church are volunteer. The lay ministry, from the highest offices of the church down to leaders and teachers within local congregations, consists of men and women from all walks of life, with various careers, experiences, and skills. While members of the 12 apostles, like Elder Nelson, are called for life, local leaders serve for shorter periods of time and may hold many different callings and handle a variety of responsibilities through the years of their church service.
While in Asheville, Elder Nelson worked with Elder Bluth to reorganize the leadership of the Asheville, NC stake, changes made effective at Sunday's meeting. President Wallace. W. Booth was released as President of the Asheville Stake, as were his counselors, Grant R. Hardy, and Dale A. Curriden.
Bartel Van Oostendorp, of Hendersonville was called as the new Stake President with Steve Hargadon and John Garner, both of Asheville, serving as counselors.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah has more than 15 million members worldwide, with 29,000 congregations and church materials printed in 189 languages. 88,000 missionaries are serving in 406 missions all over the world. The Asheville, North Carolina stake consists of 11 units in western North Carolina and northern Georgia and has more than 3000 members.
Story by Jenny Proctor, photos by Destinee Blau.
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