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Two leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visited Lesotho on September 4-5, 2025, to offer support to those affected by a fatal accident in June that claimed the lives of six young women and four church leaders. President Susan H. Porter, General Primary President, and Sister J. Anette Dennis of the Relief Society General Presidency met with survivors and families in Maseru and Maputsoe.
“When we heard the news about the accident here, we were brokenhearted,” said President Porter. “Members of the Church all over the world were praying for you.”
Sister Dennis also expressed her sympathy: “I am so sorry for your loss. I cried with you when I heard [about the accident]. You are my sisters. We are sisters in Zion.”
President Porter delivered a card featuring an image of Christ holding a light, along with messages from Church President Russell M. Nelson and all nine female General Officers. The message from President Nelson read: “In that terrible accident in June, your family members and friends, who were many of our choicest Church members in Lesotho, perished on their way to a Young Women’s activity. I express my love to each of you, dear family members and friends. Our prayers continue to be with you and your loved ones.”
A separate message from the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary General Presidencies stated: “Our hearts are also full of love for you! We mourn with you at the loss of loved ones and pray for your healing. We bear our witness that through the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, your loved ones live! We await that day of joy when we will be reunited with all those we love.”
Mapule Takane, who led the group of young women involved in the accident and spent two months hospitalized before returning home to recover, reflected on how faith increased among her group after the tragedy. “I used to struggle with them [young women] not reading their scriptures,” she said. “But now they are telling me that they read their scriptures… It was like their faith increased… because of that experience.”
President Porter commented on finding God during hardship: “Sometimes that’s when they really see God’s hand in our lives, when hard things happen... But when we have hard things, we’re just praying, seeking help, and we see miracles.”
Porter also visited Alphoncina Rakuoane—another leader injured in the crash—at a hospital in Maseru; two other young women remain hospitalized in Johannesburg.
Among those killed were Moeti Molateli—the branch president at Maputsoe—and his wife Mokhethi; their three children are now cared for by relatives.
The church will provide new scriptures (the Bible, Book of Mormon and Pearl of Great Price) as gifts to surviving girls and leaders whose copies were destroyed during the incident.
At a gathering at Maputsoe branch chapel attended by young women as well as families and friends affected by loss or injury from this event, Sister Dennis told attendees: “You girls will be able to help others in your life… When others are going through similar things you will understand what they feel.” She explained this follows Jesus Christ’s example: “That is what Jesus Christ did for us through His Atonement… He took upon Himself our sins. But he did more than that.” She cited Alma 7:11–13 from The Book of Mormon regarding Christ suffering pains so He could show mercy.
“You will be a light [for others] like Christ is for us,” she added.
Sister Dennis reassured listeners about divine understanding amid grief: “Your Savior Jesus Christ understands your pain… He took upon Himself your pains… so He could understand and run to you in your hour of need.” She emphasized hope through faith: “You will see your loved ones again… Because of Jesus Christ they will be resurrected... Death is not the end... because of our Savior Jesus Christ.”
President Porter concluded: "Jesus Christ is the one who can bring healing and hope."
