Elder Soares Meets with French Senator in Paris

During his ministry in France, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder James W. McConkie III of the Europe Central Area Presidency met with French Senator Stéphane Demilly in Paris on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Elders Soares and McConkie received a tour of the French Senate building and discussed a variety of topics with Senator Demilly.

“We had a wonderful meeting with [Sen. Demilly] today. He is very interested in our humanitarian initiatives that we have around the world,” said Elder Soares. “We talked about the importance of religion, in establishing good communication among people, being peacemakers and creating a society that everybody can participate in.”

Senator Demilly visited Church Headquarters in 2022 and attended a rehearsal of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He also toured Welfare Square, the Family History Library and visited with Presiding Bishop Gérald Caussé, a native of Bordeaux.

Sen. Demilly has a close relationship with the students and faculty at Brigham Young University who helped him translate a book of his into English.

“When students from BYU come to Paris, they call me … and I am very happy to welcome them. I think I will go back to Salt Lake City in a few months because I was so happy to be [there],” said Demilly. “As I talked with Mr. Soares, [I was reminded of] the organization and the kindness of people I met in Salt Lake City.”

Referring to the Senator, Elder Soares said, “He is very positive about the Church. He knows the Church. He has been to BYU, and he wants to continue this relationship.”

They also talked about how religions, followers of Christ, and families have an important role to play to re-introducing respect and mutual understanding in society.

Later in the day, Elder Soares and his wife, Rosana, as well as Elder McConkie, and his wife, Laurel, held a meeting with the France Paris and France Lyon Missions. The main theme Elder Soares shared with the missionaries was choosing joy.

Elder Soares shared, “My dear Elders and Sisters, I testify to you that you have been called to help people find joy in life because the gospel of Jesus Christ means joy.”

“Develop spiritual resilience required for life through your joy because when you have joy, you have the Savior,” he continued. “And when you have the Savior, you are able to handle anything, even the most difficult challenges of life.”

On Sunday, November 10, the Soareses and McConkies spent an evening with young adults who live in Paris. They answered their questions and reminded them of their importance in the Church and their communities.

“You are precious children of Heavenly Father, and we want to reinforce that into your hearts,” said Elder Soares. “He expects you to become the light of the world. The world needs you more than you can imagine.”

Shannon Mura, a young adult who lives in Paris was in attendance that evening and was excited to see the hundreds of young adults gathered to hear from an Apostle.

“I think it’s really important as a young adult to know that if we [put Christ first] we will be blessed and find guidance in our lives. I think knowing that Christ walks with us no matter what is just a message of hope that everybody needs to hear,” Mura said.