Celebration in Lisbon as Latter-day Saints Gather to Express Thanks

On 5 July 2025, members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered at the Lisbon Congress Centre to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Church’s presence in Portugal. The event, marked by a vibrant cultural celebration, served as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to the Portuguese people for five decades of friendship, support, and shared values.

The cultural event featured an inspiring programme of music, dance, and theatre, reflecting both the rich traditions of Portugal and the shared principles of faith, family, and community. Through original choreography, live performances, and presentations, the celebration honoured the journey of the Church in Portugal and paid tribute to the many individuals, both Latter-day Saints and friends of the Church, who have contributed to its growth and integration into Portuguese society.

“It was more than a celebration of the Church—it was a celebration of Portugal,” said Paulo Adriano, National Communications Director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Portugal. “Through music, dance, and story, we expressed our profound appreciation for the people of this nation, who have welcomed the Church, its members, and our missionaries, with such warmth and generosity.”

Presiding at the celebration was Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, whose visit underscored the historic significance of the occasion. Elder Soares was joined by Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis, First Counsellor in the Europe North Area Presidency.

A central theme throughout the evening was thanksgiving. The Church’s leaders used the occasion to express gratitude to government officials, interfaith partners, local communities, and countless Portuguese families who have helped the Church establish deep and lasting roots in the country since 1975. Several local government and interfaith partners attended the celebration, including, Dr. Vera Jardim, the President of the Religious Liberty Commission and former Minister of Justice.

In his remarks, Elder Soares said: “My friends who are not members of the Church, we will continue to strive to develop our dialog with the community; we will continue to strive to build bridges, to communicate with empathy, to cultivate a society where everyone can grow freely and live in peace and contribute to the well-being of all. But the most important thing we will continue to do is to invite people to come unto Christ because that is the main purpose of everything we do in the Church.”

The evening also included a commemorative exhibition chronicling the Church’s history in Portugal, from its early missionary efforts and the establishment of the first congregations, to its humanitarian service and ongoing community engagement. Attendees were able to reflect on the Church’s enduring efforts to support education, disaster relief, refugee assistance, and other initiatives that promote the well-being of individuals and families.

The celebration was attended by over 1,500 people and reached many more through a live online broadcast. Guests included civic leaders, faith representatives, and members of the public who responded to the Church’s open invitation to attend.

With nearly 50,000 members and dozens of congregations across the country, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to build on its legacy of faith, service, and fellowship in Portugal.

Elder Soares concluded: “Portugal is the lighthouse of Europe; that prophecy is already being fulfilled today. We must continue to help spread this wonderful light in the hearts of all those who do not yet know this truth. There are still many who need to find the happiness that we have. May God bless you, protect you, help you in each of your personal and family needs, and may the heavens open for you, for your difficulties, and your challenges, but especially so that you may continue to be a light for our beloved people here in this wonderful nation”.

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