News Story

New Zealand Prime Minister Speaks to Mormon Young Adults

The Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand, spoke to young adults from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at a special meeting in Auckland last night [16 February 2014].

The meeting was held at the Latter-day Saints' Pah Rd, Mt. Roskill, Auckland meetinghouse.

Those invited to attend were young Latter-day Saints and their friends of other faiths, ages 18 to 30.

This is the third time Prime Minister Key has spoken to Church youth over the last few years.

Last night he encouraged the Latter-day Saint young adults to be the masters of their own destiny, to work hard in gaining an education and throughout their lives. He said that "we get out what we put in." He also counseled to not be afraid of making mistakes, but to learn from them. 

At a similar meeting in 2011 the Church presented Mr Key with a bound volume detailing several generations of his family history. The history was prepared by researchers in the Church's Family History Library in Salt Lake City, United States.  

Similar genealogies have been prepared by the Church for other leaders such as President Barack Obama and former Australian Prime Ministers Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd and John Howard.

Elder Paul R. Coward, Mt Roskill Stake President Anthony Wilson and other Church leaders hosted Prime Minister Key last night. Elder Coward and young Auckland Latter-day Saint Jenna Chadderton also spoke to the 800 young adults in attendance.

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.