LDS Church's Elder Russell Nelson, wife robbed in Mozambique

Elder Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve and his wife, Wendy, were among church leaders robbed by armed assailants Friday evening in the Mozambique Maputo Mission home.

On a church assignment in Mozambique, Elder and Sister Nelson were having dinner with Elder William W. Parmley, of the Quorums of the Seventy and the church's Africa Southeast Presidency, and his wife, Shanna Lee, and mission President Blair J. Packard and his wife, Precinda, said LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter.

"We don't have complete information yet, but we understand Sister Packard's arm was broken," said Trotter. "In addition, she and others suffered some superficial injuries, mainly cuts and bruises."

Elder and Sister Nelson will continue their assignment over the weekend as planned, he added.

Local authorities are investigating the matter.

The LDS Church was legally recognized in Mozambique, a southeastern Africa nation, in 1996, with the first branch created in the capital city of Maputo. Missionaries arrived in 1999.

The Mozambique Maputo Mission was created on Jan. 1, 2005, the church's 339th mission.