Elder Ballard Visits Refugee Shelters in Germany and Greece

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Elder Ballad with refugee in Germany
Image via Mormon Newsroom

FRANKFURT, GERMANY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is continuing its long-standing partnership with international humanitarian organizations to tend to the dire needs of refugees entering Europe. Support is underway to provide food, shelter, clothing and medical supplies and other life-sustaining necessities.

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest presiding body of the Church, just returned from visiting a refugee shelter in Berlin, Germany, and two sites on the Greek island of Lesbos. Elder Ballard was there to show his support and to gather firsthand impressions of the tremendous humanitarian effort for those who have lost everything fleeing civil conflict in their own countries.

“It’s overwhelming to see the magnitude of the size of this problem,” explained Elder Ballard. “I think what surprised me the most was the size of it. We saw a lot of pictures, we’ve heard a lot of reports, but it’s different when you come here on the ground and you walk through the camps and you see the faces.””The scale of this human tide has to be seen to be believed,” expressed Elder Ballard. “I have seen our people working alongside new friends of all faiths and nationalities to relieve the suffering of those who have been driven from their homes and countries. I am so grateful for the dedicated service of all involved to bring relief to those who need it most.”The Church follows the admonition of Jesus Christ found in Matthew in the New Testament to take in the stranger and care for those in need (see Matthew 25:35–36). And there is much need.Continue reading at MormonNewsroom.org

Whitney studied Communications with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism at BYU. She also served as Miss Utah 2009 and spent her year promoting Children's Miracle Network, fundraising for anti-bullying/suicide prevention programs, and speaking to mutual groups.