President Uchtdorf Meets German President, Dedicates New Stake Centers in Central Europe

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, met with German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin and dedicated new stake centers in Salzburg, Austria, and Prague, Czech Republic, during a recent ministry visit to Europe Central with his wife, Harriet.

The visit combined civic outreach and Church ministry, highlighting volunteer service in Germany and the growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Austria and the Czech Republic. In Prague, the dedication carried added significance because President Uchtdorf organized the Prague Czech Republic Stake — the first stake in the country — in May 2016. 

In Salzburg, President Uchtdorf dedicated the new stake center during Pentecost weekend and taught about the Christian holy day’s significance, pointing to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“Pentecost was a very special day for the disciples,” he said. “After Jesus Christ was crucified and, following His Resurrection, no longer remained with them as He had before, they felt uncertain and alone. Then, 50 days after Easter, on the day Christians commemorate as Pentecost, the Holy Ghost was poured out upon them, blessing and guiding them for the work ahead.”

President Uchtdorf also reflected on an earlier ministry visit in Salzburg, recalling a 1997 trip by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who had served there as a young missionary in 1937. President Uchtdorf, then a member of the area presidency, accompanied Elder Wirthlin during the 1997 visit.

“What touched me the most was the human touch that he represents, being eye-to-eye with members and friends of the Church,” David Roth, president of the Salzburg Austria Stake, said of President Uchtdorf's ministry.

In Dresden, Germany, President and Sister Uchtdorf met with longtime Church members who shared memories of discovering the gospel, remaining faithful through hardship and helping build the Church in Central Europe.

The conversations underscored the resilience of early members in the region and the foundation they helped establish for later generations.

During the Dresden stop, President Uchtdorf also met with missionaries serving in the area and addressed them in German.

President Uchtdorf told them their service follows the Savior’s example and then expanded on that idea in doctrinal terms:

“At the beginning of the mission process, you raised your hand. You said, 'Lord, send me.' And when you think about it, that makes you very much like what we find in the Plan of Salvation when One said before this earthly life: 'Send me.'” President Uchtdorf said.

“And that connects you in a special way with the One whom we serve—Jesus Christ.”

Sister Uchtdorf also spoke about her own life and conversion, encouraging the missionaries to trust the Lord’s direction even when life unfolds in unexpected ways.

“I came from Germany. I was born in Germany. Now I live in America. And one day, I became the wife of an Apostle,” she said. “All of that proves that absolutely anything can happen in life — things you would never have imagined. When we make plans, I sometimes feel that the Lord simply smiles and says, 'Just wait. I have something entirely different in mind.’”

On May 28, 2026, President Uchtdorf met with German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, the official residence of the German president.

During the meeting, the two men discussed the value of service and volunteerism for individuals, society and democratic life. President Uchtdorf said service is a central belief of the Church of Jesus Christ and cited Mosiah 2:17 from the Book of Mormon: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”

“I'm so grateful to receive the insight, the input of a man who just a few days ago established a new action plan for the citizens of Germany to honor volunteer service,” President Uchtdorf said after his visit with President Steinmeier. “He expressed his gratitude for the Church's dedication to volunteer service.”

The ministry visit concluded in Prague, where President Uchtdorf dedicated a new stake center for members of the Church in the Czech Republic. The event held special meaning because President Uchtdorf was born in what is now the Czech Republic.

Members pointed to the Church’s long history in the Czech Republic, from the arrival of the first missionaries in the nineteenth century through the restrictions of previous eras. The new facility will serve as a place of worship as well as a center for instruction, family history work and community activities.

For many, the new building represents both increased visibility and the continued growth of a maturing faith community.

“Now when you open the map, you can see that there is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In our country, people don’t really know the Church,” said Miroslav Novotny who traveled 100 km especially for the occasion. “I think it is important to be seen and to be known.”

Throughout the visit, President Uchtdorf emphasized faith in Jesus Christ, unity and service, while local members described the dedications and meetings as meaningful milestones for the Church in Central Europe.

Meeting photographs are provided courtesy of, and used with permission from, the Office of the Federal President of the Federal Republic of Germany.