Lithuania is the largest and most southerly of the three Baltic republics. In a population of 2.8 million, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are few but faithful. Lithuania has 945 members among 5 branches.  

In the Spring of 2024 ,Lucia Fernandes, a representative of the Church’s Northern Europe Area Family History Department addressed the members in Lithuania. Sister Fernandes began her address to the congregation by speaking about the need to live a life centered on the Savior and that this is achieved through a personal relationship with Christ, the covenants we make, and the ordinances we perform in the temple. She quoted the words of Church President Russell M. Nelson: 

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“Jesus Christ is at the center of everything we do in the temple. The more you think about the temple, the more you will think about Him. Everything we believe and all the promises of God that He has made to His covenant people come together in the temple.” 

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She shared her dream that one day a temple will also stand in the Baltic countries but for now members attend the Helsinki Finland Temple. 

 

The  journey to the Helsinki Finland Temple  requires approximately a 13 hour bus ride through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. From the coast of Estonia members take a 3 hour ferry ride to Finland. From the port of Helsinki they take another bus ride of 1 ½ hours to the Helsinki Temple. 

 

The faithful members of Lithuania have a deep desire to connect with the blessings of the Temple in Finland by traveling there on August 11th - August 16th, 2025. For some, this will be their very first time to enter the Lord's House, while for others, it will be a long-awaited return. While in Finland, the Saints will spend the morning, day, and night serving in the temple by performing the vicarious ordinance work for their kindred dead over three-four days - blessing the lives of thousands of ancestors on the other side of the veil to enter into a covenant relationship with the Lord.  As they return to Lithuania they will be endowed with power to hasten the work of salvation in their own country.

 

Church leaders are partnering with Sweetwater Rescue to help make this long-held dream a reality for our brothers and sisters. Our goal is for 100 of the members in Lithuania be supported in their Temple journey. 

 

The cost of travel alone for this trip is approximately $250 per person. This may seem like a small amount, but for many of these individuals, it represents a significant financial challenge. Please prayerfully consider supporting these faithful members by making a donation to help cover their travel expenses. Your generosity, no matter the size, will make a tangible difference in their lives.

 

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