Church Leaders Visit Egyptian Saints in Cairo

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including members of the Relief Society general presidency, are in the Middle East for an extended visit to minister to Latter-day Saints and meet with government leaders. 

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Elder Randy D. Funk of the Middle East/Africa North Area Presidency and his wife, Andrea, and President Jean B. Bingham, Relief Society general president, and her husband, Bruce, started their visit in Cairo, Egypt, near the Nile River and the Great Pyramids of Giza known as one of the wonders of the ancient world.

“It's a land with a remarkable history... for those of us who are people of faith, but it's also a remarkable culture,” expressed Elder Funk.

“That was my very first visit, and I just loved it,” said President Bingham.

The Relief Society general president said that they also had a chance to discuss the new temple coming to Dubai with government leaders in Egypt.

“As we met with the government officials in Cairo, they were very kind, very warm, good listeners, and we hope to be a good listener so that we can coordinate our efforts,” shared President Bingham.

The delegation also included Sister Sharon Eubank, first counselor in the Church’s global women’s organization and president of Latter-day Saint Charities.

Worshipping in Cairo

Egypt is home to a mixture of faiths. Though, predominantly followers of Islam, it also has a sizeable Christian population. More than ten million people live in the capital city of Cairo, which has two branches of the Church of Jesus Christ, including one English-speaking and the other Arabic. 

The Salt Lake City-based Church leaders gathered with more than 60 Latter-day Saints in Cairo on Sabbath Friday, October 22, 2021. They were pleased the congregation included a number of families.

In a sacrament meeting, Elder Funk noted that the leadership of the Church is very aware of the members in Egypt and is grateful for their goodness and faith. He encouraged the members to act with faith in Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father as they encounter the challenges of life.

Sister Bingham said the Relief Society sisters met in a combined meeting with the young women in the congregation.

"I was particularly impressed with the Relief Society presidents of both branches, that they were strong but humble leaders and loved the sisters and were willing to do anything and everything to help them learn to become true disciples of Jesus Christ,” reflected President Bingham.

Singing and sermons were translated into Arabic for international guests, and the leaders taught the adults and youth about preparing for a temple that will soon be built in Dubai.

“The things that I remember about being in Cairo are the genuine love that the saints had for one another,” she added. “I was surprised at how many of them, particularly of the Arabic branch, were fairly new members less than two years. And yet they have strong testimonies.”

Elder Funk said many of the members of the Arabic-speaking branch are from South Sudan, Nigeria or other parts of Africa.

“Though the two congregations there in Cairo were small, they are known, and we love them and we're grateful for them,” he concluded. “The people were so kind and so welcoming and so loving, and I will long remember the experience of being with them and feeling of that.”

Newsroom will continue to follow the travels of the Church leaders in the area.