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Elder Ulisses Soares, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently completed a five-day visit to Brazil. Accompanied by his wife, Rosana, Elder Soares met with government officials, nonprofit leaders, church members, and missionaries during his stay.
Reflecting on the faith he observed in Brazil, Elder Soares said, “The people of Brazil are very faithful and they connect with the Savior Jesus Christ easily. It is wonderful to see the blessings the Lord has poured upon these people and upon this country.”
On November 17, Elder Soares met Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Junior at Iguaçu Palace in Curitiba along with other state officials and Elder Ciro Schmeil from the Church’s Brazil Area Presidency. During their meeting, leaders expressed appreciation for humanitarian projects supported by the Church in Paraná over recent years. These initiatives have included providing essential household items for senior citizen housing.
Elder Soares commented on working with local authorities: “Our visit with the governor of Paraná was very impressive. He is very interested in working with the Church and in blessing the lives of the people of his state. We have found a good environment in which to share the love of the Savior through our humanitarian projects.” He added that collaboration with governments allows them to demonstrate their commitment to helping those who are suffering.
At this meeting, Elder Soares also spoke about family values and efforts to promote peace through Jesus Christ. He invited state leaders to attend an upcoming performance by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square scheduled for February 2026 in Brazil.
Concluding their discussion, Elder Soares was invited by a state official to offer a prayer. He described this moment as deeply moving: “Being invited to pray in a government environment was deeply moving to me. That shows the respect those people have for us, especially for the way we worship our Heavenly Father and the way we live the gospel of Jesus Christ.” He continued, “It showed me their love for God... I prayed that [the governor] would have the inspiration to find even better ways to support people.”
During his visit in São Paulo on November 18, Elder Soares announced a financial donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Amigos do Bem. This organization works primarily in northeastern Brazil’s rural interior where poverty rates are high due partly to difficult climate conditions and lack of economic opportunity. Amigos do Bem operates transformation centers serving more than 10,000 children and youth through education programs and job training.
This latest donation builds on an existing partnership between Amigos do Bem and The Church of Jesus Christ that has benefitted over 150,000 individuals through various initiatives such as cashew cultivation projects; vocational training; water distribution; emergency services; and food assistance.
Amigos do Bem president Alcione Albanesi expressed gratitude: “This partnership — God united us — so that in this difficult mission of ours, we could transform the lives of more than 150,000 people in the northeast of Brazil...” She emphasized her organization’s focus on solidarity: “We must look around us and be instruments for good. This is the legacy Jesus left...we need to show fraternity [and] solidarity and help those who do not have the same blessings we have.”
In Porto Alegre meetings with church members later during his trip, Elder Soares offered encouragement: “The Lord will do everything in His power to bring us back to the path. He will never tire of searching for us.” For Bruno Luz—a member present—these words felt personally relevant: “I felt like [his message] was directed towards me... It was so special...” His mother Jaqueline also shared her gratitude after hearing what she described as answers to prayers regarding her son.
Elder Soares summarized his purpose: “When people feel the Savior’s love, they are more inclined to walk on the covenant path... That is one of the main reasons we go [minister] around the world — and especially for me here in my own country.”
He also visited missionaries serving throughout Porto Alegre and Curitiba as well as those at São Paulo Missionary Training Center.
