The missionaries are among scores of people abducted in the Niger Delta region since Jan. 1, many of them oil workers who organized gangs and local thugs believe may bring a hefty ransom. Elder Cook said it's possible the abductors were conducting a "copy-cat" of previous abductions.

Elder Ballard said the missionaries were treated well during their time in captivity, and Bishop Sancho had made contact with them early Wednesday and found they had not been mistreated. He said he believes the missionaries spent their time "teaching the discussions, teaching the lessons" about the beliefs of the LDS Church to their captors.

He credited not only the local leaders, but the "power of prayer" for their release. "Heaven had something to do with this wonderful result."

The church has dealt with one previous missionary abduction in recent years. Two American missionaries were abducted in Russia in 1998 and were later released.

Other instances have seen some missionaries "detained for a few hours here and there" over the years, Elder Ballard said. He noted that even with occasional problems that arise, a study the church has done shows young men are "safer serving missions than they are staying at home."

In addition to missionary efforts in Nigeria, the LDS Church has provided much in the way of humanitarian aid to the people there, Elder Ballard said, most of it done quietly and without fanfare. Most recently, the church was instrumental in publicizing and helping to conduct a measles and polio vaccination campaign last fall.

Bruce Olsen, managing director of public affairs, said while the church works quietly as a humanitarian organization in the region, the work is often noted by various community leaders "so people feel better about us and understand us better."

"It's a great day for us," Elder Ballard said, smiling, after several days of following the missionary developments around the clock. "And it's going to be a great night."

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