Latter-day Saints around the World: April 2025

Newsroom features stories from its dozens of websites worldwide to show what members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doing to serve their communities. Today, we feature news from Australia, the Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Ghana, Mexico and Peru.

Costa Rica: Connecting with Christ through Service

As part of the “Greater Love” initiative of the Church of Jesus Christ, members and missionaries participated in a day of service in San José. Thanks to a collaboration with the Works of the Holy Spirit Association, volunteers cleaned the children’s playground and the local Catholic parish on April 15-16. The youth also sang “Teach Me to Walk in the Light” in front of approximately 100 children.

Read more about the service rendered on the Spanish (Costa Rica) Newsroom.

Australia: Iftar Dinner Brings Community Together

On April 10, 2025, nearly 150 guests attended an iftar event hosted by members of the Church in Sydney, Australia. Throughout the evening, uplifting music and messages were shared about Ramadan and community.

“This is the most difficult period of time anywhere in the world, when the people are fighting among their religions, their ethnicities, their genders and their colors,” said Abbas Raza Alvi of the Indian Crescent Society of Australia. “And during the month of Ramadan, which is a prayer month, you are bringing every religion together. My congratulations, my heartiest congratulations, to every one of you for doing this wonderful job of bringing the people of the community social cohesion, peace and harmony.”

Mexico: Donation Helps Shelters Thrive

Three partner shelters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Mexico received support to improve operations and services following a donation from the Church. Approximately 13,000 people are expected to benefit from the support.

“These efforts restore hope to those here, reminding them of their worth,” said Giovanni Lepri, UNHCR representative in Mexico. “Together we can make a difference.”

Read more about the donation’s impact on the Spanish (Mexico) Newsroom.

Download Photo

The Cook Islands: United in Prayer of Gratitude

On April 13, 2025, members and leaders of at least six local Christian denominations gathered at the National Auditorium in Avarua to thank God for protecting their land during cyclone season.

Thomas Willie, a local stake president of the Church of Jesus Christ, said it “was a powerful reminder that we are all children of God. No matter our differences, when we come together in gratitude, His Spirit can be felt in a powerful way.”

Read more about the messages and words that were shared at the event on the Pacific Newsroom.

Ghana: Emergency Dispatch Center Gets an Upgrade

The emergency dispatch center for the Ghana National Ambulance Service was renovated and updated through funding provided by the Church on April 4, 2025. Improvements came in the form of a new roof, air conditioning and refurbished resting quarters, as well as new equipment like computers, software and tracking hardware.

“I want to add my voice as a representative of the Ghana Health Service to say thank you for the support you are giving to the National Ambulance Service,” said Dr. John Ekow Otoo, deputy director of public health for Ghana’s eastern region. “It is to the National Ambulance Service, but it is to all of us Ghanaians, and it is really going to be a game changer.”

Download Photo

Peru: Helping with Medical Training and Protecting Tropical Forests

The Magdalena meetinghouse was used April 1-4, 2025, for training medical volunteers for Operation Smile Peru. Among the courses provided were Basic Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

And in Cusco, representatives of various faiths met on March 27 to launch the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative. Francesco Galiano Abanto, communications director for the Church in the city, was appointed coordinator.

Read more about the group’s goals for the country on the Spanish (Peru) Newsroom.