Reader comments
President Uchtdorf, Elder Andersen visit Russia and Ukraine

CP | 2:29 a.m. June 4, 2009

This is a wonderful article. I think that's so awesome that the people in the Ukraine are going to have their own Temple! And they are so happy and they welcome the Church leaders with open arms. Thank you for printing this article.

hleb da sol' | 3:32 a.m. June 4, 2009

Greeting with bread and salt is not "typically Ukrainian". That tradition is vivid in all countries of orthodox (eastern christian) culture, including Russia, Serbia and many others.

Interestingly, orthodox christians consider hospitality as a commandment.

Thelma McMillon | 6:22 a.m. June 4, 2009

I am so very happy to receive news of the Church in Russia. I was there in 1998 and met a young man who had joined the LDS church. I was not a member yet and was there with another church group. In May of 2000 I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I encouraged this young man because my grandson was on his mission. Thank you for this beautiful article.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 7:28 a.m. June 4, 2009

I'm not one of the celebrity-struck, hang on every word type LDS member (I am LDS), but I will say this: President Uchtdorf rocks! I've met most of the 12 and the 1st P., and this guy is great. Let's get more like him (i.e., international).

And he speaks Russian | 8:26 a.m. June 4, 2009

So nice that Pres. Uchtdorf can speak to the Russian people in their own language. The article didn't say anything about that, but I'm assuming that he did speak to them in their own language. Among the general authorities, many languages are spoken, both native languages and languages learned while serving a mission. James E. Faust went to Brazil on his mission many years ago, and near the end of his life he spoke to the people at a conference there in Portuguese. So much better than going through a translator. As you read through the names of the Quorums of Seventy, you can see there are many men from all over the world who have been called to these positions. It's great!

Stephen Plott | 8:48 a.m. June 4, 2009

My family and I were ex-patriots living in Kiev when the Temple was announced! We were overjoyed and the local church members felt so blessed. The church is young in Ukraine, but the saints are so beautiful and strong. Sending church leaders into these areas is a great blessing indeed for these faithful followers of Christ!

kiaoraguy | 8:56 a.m. June 4, 2009

To Anonymous- Let's make sure your 'request' to get more like him is heard by the Apostle Head Hunting Service- I really hope your belief system is a little more grounded in Gospel principles than it appears. That being said, maybe revelation 'rocks' because that is how these things are done

adoptive mother | 9:19 a.m. June 4, 2009

We spent six weeks in Ukraine two and a half years ago while adopting our young son. While we were there we had the opportunity to attend church. It was an amazing experience. The people were humble and very loving. We were made to feel totally welcome. These people have many blessings coming. It's very hard for them to give up the country's traditional religion and join the church. Many members in Eastern Europe face persecution because of there beliefs, and even more because they choose not to follow the tradition of the excepted religion in their countries. We have been both to Ukraine and Poland and found the same with members in both countries. The people were wonderful.

Jo Morris | 9:53 a.m. June 4, 2009

I seldom read these comment sections because there is always someone like kiaoraguy, who obviously dislikes the Church and what it stands for, making snide remarks. If people feel that way why are they reading these articles? I find it sad.

kiaoraguy | 10:53 a.m. June 4, 2009

whoa, whoa- my comment was snide, but I was trying to infer that a church leader is not ever called for politically correct reasons, but because he/she is needed at that time for the season they are called. I am not going to take umbrage for what Jo said about me, but she could not be further from the truth. I apologize for the wrong impression. I am actually the antithesis of what she inferred I was...

j.roberto viveiros | 11:42 a.m. June 4, 2009

Two great inspired leaders ... sent by the will of the Lord to special lands in order to proclaim and keep the promises and blessings of our brothers and sisters ...Great article ...!

Setaf | 11:44 a.m. June 4, 2009

kiaoraguy, Jo and anonymous,
That's the problem with these comment sections. Mere words in this case can fail to make a meaning known to those reading. It's sometimes difficult to known exactly waht a person is inferring by just his comments. I also think President Uchtdorf is a wonderful man and I think soon we will be seeing many more "international" general authorities as the Church matures in various regions of the world. It's nice to see a well written article like this and many supportive comments. That's why I have sworn off the Tribune. The "flies" are drawn to readily to the comment section.

John Pack Lambert | 12:04 p.m. June 4, 2009

I was hoping they might tell us when the Kiev Temple would be dedicated, but I can wait to learn that.
The Kiev Temple was announced a week or so before the Detroit Temple. We are going to celebrate having the Detroit Temple operating for 10 years this fall.
I am glad to hear of President Uchtdorf and Elder Anderson's travels. This is great for the members in all these areas.
Thankyou for this article, it brightened my day.

Germans | 12:11 p.m. June 4, 2009

are the best!!! :)

Anonymous | 2:45 p.m. June 4, 2009

To kiaoraguy, way uptight dude. And self-righteous to boot. Nice things said, then someone gets sactimonius. All I said is let's get more like him. Who said anything at all about "politically correct"? Weird. I didn't address the source of the calling. Just expressed my approval of him. Lighten up!

Anonymous | 2:48 p.m. June 4, 2009

Article on President Uchtdorf and Elder Anderson visiting Russia: 14 comments.

Article on David Archuletta: 133 Comments.

Archuletta beats Church leaders by almost 10-to-1 !!

Also Anonymous | 3:49 p.m. June 4, 2009

David archuletta matters why?

dmac | 5:58 p.m. June 4, 2009

I think is amazing to see church leaders among the saints in Ukraine and Russia. I was in the MTC when the Kiev Temple was announced and served my mission in Ukraine. While there now Pres. Eyring and Elder Oaks both visited. The saint there are wonderful people deserving of a Temple and visits from such wonderful men. I wonder if we take their everyday presence for granted. God Bless the Saints in Eastern Europe.

Anonymous | 7:21 p.m. June 4, 2009

A friend in Kiev told me so people from Utah had invited her to dinner. I e-mailed her links to blood of atonement, polygamy and other facts of LDS history I knew would be hidden.

Mills | 8:51 p.m. June 4, 2009

I just recently returned home from my mission in Kiev, Ukraine and I talked with several members that said that seeing President Uchtdorf and Elder Anderson was amazing! I In response to Lambert, the people in Ukraine told me that they were told that the Temple dedication has now been moved back to the beginning of the year in 2011. The focus of the new mission president there is to not only prepare people for baptism but to prepare them to enter the Temple! It is so amazing how the spirit of Ukraine changed the day that the Temple lot was dedicated. The work goes on!

Uneva | 9:03 p.m. June 5, 2009

Apostles go where our Savior wants them, on His time schedule, for His purposes...and the temple will also be completed as He sees fit. ...It's gratifying to know that the Church has grown in that region of the world, and that two current Apostles were able to visit, paying respects, while there, to an Apostle/President, who did the same, decades ago. May the Church continue to grow, worldwide, in both number and strength.

MJ | 6:34 p.m. June 6, 2009

He doesn't speak Russian (ref to June 4 comment). He had a translator. (See, for example, the videos with KSL Channel 5 stories on this visit.)

TS | 10:41 a.m. June 8, 2009

If you mean the video where he was unveiling the plaque at the medical centre, that was in Ukraine where the language is Ukrainian - so if he does speak Russian it wouldn't have been much help ;-)

Jason | 12:18 p.m. Sept. 20, 2009

I was on a mission in Kiev when the Apostles came. They spoke to the missionaries and to the Members. Those were two of the most powerful meetings I've ever been to. They are truly inspired men, and those people were so grateful to hear from them.

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