Elder Soares Brings Message of Peace in Jesus Christ to Brazil’s Capital City

While accompanying The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square on their tour in Brazil, Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with state and national government leaders in his home country.

Visit to the Nation’s Capital

On Thursday, February 26, Elder Soares traveled to Brasília to meet with several government leaders. He met with Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, with whom Elder Soares worked before when he was serving as Area President in Brazil. At the time, Alckmin was governor of the state of São Paulo.

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“He respects the Church, and he respects our beliefs. He sees us as somebody who can help the people of this country,” said Elder Soares.

Following this meeting, he had an opportunity to meet with Senator Carlos Viana for the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

“As ambassadors of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we try everything possible to bring hope and peace [to] the hearts of people. [The Church is] not connected to any political parties. We are neutral,” said Elder Soares. “But we work with everybody who wants to bless the lives of God’s children.”

He continued, “Peace, hope — that brings us closer to Jesus Christ. That’s our message, and that’s what we declared in [these] visits.”

Tabernacle Choir President Michael O. Leavitt also accompanied Elder Soares to these meetings, grateful for the doors the Choir can open.

“People know [the Choir] is a symbol of peace and healing and a testimony of Jesus Christ,” said President Leavitt. “It does open doors. We had nearly 1,500 guests from all over Brazil — leaders of government coming to feel the sense of peace and healing we all crave.”

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Elder Soares also visited the U.S. Embassy in Brasília and met with Gabriel Escobar, the charge d’affaires.

At the Brazilian State Assembly

On behalf of the Church, Elder Soares received the Collar of Honor for Legislative Merit from the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo (ALESP) on Monday, February 23, 2026.

Fabiana Bolsonaro, state deputy of ALESP, presented the recognition. It is the highest distinction awarded by ALESP for contributions to the state’s social, cultural, spiritual and humanitarian development.

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“The Church has been a powerful instrument of hope and light. As is written in the scriptures, ‘Ye are the light of the world’ (Matthew 5:14). And for over 100 years, this light has been shining brightly throughout Latin America,” said Bolsonaro. 

The 100-year anniversary of the Church’s presence in South America was celebrated throughout 2025 and continues in Brazil with this ceremony.

“[This event] is the public recognition that principles like charity, service, faith, family, and commitment to God make a difference in building a more just and humane society,” said Bolsonaro. “‘By their fruits, you shall know them’ (Matthew 7:20), and the fruits that have emerged from these 100 years are now clearly visible: Strengthened communities, lives restored, families built up and concrete acts of love for our fellow human beings.” 

“I want to thank all the members of the Church. Because of their efforts, because of their faith in Jesus Christ, they try to love God, and they try to love their neighbor,” said Elder Soares. “We are so thankful for the members of the Church in this country.”

During the ceremony, Elder Soares shared how faith in Jesus Christ and His teachings “cultivates citizens who are committed to peace, to honesty and to the common good.”

“The invitation to come to Jesus Christ and follow Him has been the central focus and guiding principle of all that we have accomplished throughout the course of these many years,” said Elder Soares.

In 2025, the Church of Jesus Christ carried out more than 150 humanitarian projects in the state of São Paulo, blessing the lives of women, children and young people in vulnerable regions.

“We accept this honor with Christian humility and profound institutional respect,” said Elder Soares. “It truly belongs to the dedicated volunteers, to the families who diligently instill values, to the young people who consciously choose to serve, and to the entire population of São Paulo state who have actively participated in so many vital humanitarian projects.”