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SALT LAKE CITY — It was a historic day for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Wednesday as a church apostle spoke before members of the British Parliament in London.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke on behalf of LDS Charities, which has partnered with the AMAR Foundation, an international organization that helps provide humanitarian aid in war-torn countries.

“For a 19-year-old former British missionary, this is a wonderful, wonderful opportunity,” Elder Holland said, adding he felt right at home in the busy streets of London.

Elder Holland’s remarks focused on the role humanitarian aid can have in helping to bring peace to the world. Specifically, he shared the involvement LDS Charities has with the AMAR Foundation and emphasized the LDS Church's interest in providing humanitarian relief even when the need is large and problems seem overwhelming.

“To contribute, to serve, to follow the Master; to do as Jesus taught about caring for the poor, feeding the hungry and clothing the naked; to do unto others as they would do unto us. These very basic Christian premises are the incentive. That’s the motivation for us to do what we do,” he said.

He was invited to speak by Baroness Emma Nicholson of Winterbourne, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Foreign Affairs. The baroness, who also leads the AMAR Foundation as president, was in Salt Lake City earlier this year for a conference with LDS Charities.

It was a wonderful privilege to have apostolic presence and participation in the storied, legendary Houses of Parliament and the Palace at Westminster. I suspect we'll have more and more such opportunities in the future. –Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, LDS Church

“LDS Charities is very humane and very caring, and so I approached them to see if there was something we could do together,” Nicholson said.

In recent years, LDS Charities has helped support AMAR in its humanitarian efforts — a need that is most often the result of corruption and conflict in the world.

That is why Sharon Eubank, the director of LDS Charities, believes it is critical to gain the support of governments.

“LDS Charities, we can help mediate the suffering,” Eubank said. “But you have to address the root cause, and this is a body that can help address the root cause.”

Wednesday’s meeting marked the first time a leader of the LDS Church has addressed the Houses of Parliament, according a news release from the church. Elder Holland seemed pleased with its results and shared a positive outlook on the church’s relationship with British lawmakers going forward.

"It was a wonderful privilege to have apostolic presence and participation in the storied, legendary Houses of Parliament and the Palace at Westminster," Elder Holland said. "I suspect we'll have more and more such opportunities in the future.

"It was a great privilege for me. I enjoyed the afternoon very much."

Contributing: Jordan Ormond

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