The Church of Jesus Christ Engages Uzbekistan Leadership at Appreciation Event in Tashkent

“I love you, you love me, that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” sang 20 second graders from School 86 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to a hushed audience of around 300 people on the evening of April 28, 2026.

The occasion was an appreciation dinner where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with one of their humanitarian collaborators, the Stirling Foundation, to host senior government, academic, and faith leaders.

The second graders are part of an English-language training program supported by the Church at the government’s request. It’s one of the more recent projects in an almost 30-year relationship between the Church and Uzbekistan.

It is a relationship built on faith-inspired service, said Elder Jack N. Gerard of the Europe Central Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

“We believe that in the eyes of God we are all equal, and therefore we should treat each other accordingly,” he said.

This sentiment inspired a two-minute video shared during the event, capturing the joint efforts with local institutions and government agencies the Church has undertaken in Uzbekistan.

These projects include clean water and sanitation (WASH) initiatives that improve access to safe water, health programs that expand access to mammography screening, neonatal resuscitation training designed to support better outcomes for mothers and newborns, and English‑language teaching initiatives that strengthen educational opportunity.

In this spirit of collaboration in service, the dinner was a unique opportunity to celebrate human dignity and the role of faith in strengthening society.

Stuart Adams, president of the Utah State Senate, spoke at the event. Noting the relationship between Utah and Uzbekistan, he said: “Our future is very bright as we join together, Uzbekistan and Utah, as we help solve the many problems that exist in the world.”

Dinner guests were delighted to be addressed by Tanzila Narbayeva, chairperson of the Senate of Uzbekistan, who said, “We view the cooperation as one of the important and promising areas of Uzbekistan and U.S. partnership, and I am confident that your visit will give new momentum and impetus to further development of our cooperation, investment, innovation, education, and humanitarian spheres. Because it’s just the beginning.”

The Stirling Foundation founders, David and Laurea Stirling (both Latter-day Saints), were honored at the event for their years of committed service and devotion to the same principles of equality regardless of ethnicity, gender, or religious affiliation.

The Church’s consistent approach has allowed it to foster deep relationships in the country, including with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who visited with Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Gerard last year to discuss their expanding relationship and registration of the Church.

Earlier in the day, Elder Gerard was invited to introduce Presidential Advisor on Religions Dr. Muzaffar Kamilov, head of the Department for Religious and Educational Affairs of the presidential administration of Uzbekistan and rector of the International Islamic Academy of Uzbekistan. Dr. Kamilov is a close friend of the Church.

Church representatives expressed appreciation for continued engagement with national leaders and for the respectful environment in which discussions about future cooperation and Church registration have been conducted.

The Church reiterated its faith as a motivation for service and collaboration in Uzbekistan and around the world. Elder Gerard said the gathering reflected shared commitments that transcend religious differences.

“Faith is powerfully expressed through service, through lifting families, strengthening communities, and working with others in a spirit of respect and goodwill,” Elder Gerard said.