My name is Laureth João. I am from Angola and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I was introduced to the gospel through my parents when I was five years old. They learned about the gospel while living in Portugal and brought it back to our family in Angola. My beloved mother, Emília Bernardo, was a new convert, but she faithfully taught us with the knowledge she had. She read the Book of Mormon with us, taught us to sing the hymns, and helped us build our faith in Jesus Christ from an early age.
Because of my parents’ faith, I had the blessing of growing up with the gospel and witnessing the growth of the Church in Angola. I feel privileged to have been part of that pioneering generation.
After graduating from Seminary, I continued my gospel learning through Institute. It was there that I gained a deeper understanding of the scriptures and the doctrines of the gospel. More importantly, I developed a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. That spiritual foundation strengthened my testimony and prepared me for the most important decisions of my life.
At that time, young adults from all over Luanda gathered in Morro Bento to attend Institute classes. For many of us, the journey was long and required a great deal of effort. As young adults from the Viana Branch, we traveled to Morro Bento every week—sometimes by taxi, and other times in a van driven by my boyfriend, Helder João, who is now my husband. We gladly made those sacrifices because attending Institute brought us so much joy. The distance never discouraged us; instead, it strengthened our commitment to learning the gospel and being with other young adults who shared our faith.
The classes were taught by Elder and Sister Lopes, a missionary couple from Brazil serving in Angola. They taught with love, dedication, and by the Spirit. Institute became much more than a classroom—it became a place where we grew spiritually, built lifelong friendships, and strengthened our faith. Many of the young adults who attended Institute together later married and are now faithful families serving in the Church. It is a blessing to see the lasting fruits of those years.
I attended Institute with my boyfriend, Helder João. Together, we strengthened our testimonies, deepened our understanding of the gospel, and encouraged each other to remain faithful. Looking back, I can clearly see that Institute helped lay the spiritual foundation for our future marriage and family.
One of the most unforgettable moments of my life happened during an Institute class. We were together when President Thomas S. Monson announced that the minimum age for sisters to serve full-time missions would change from 21 to 19. I was 18 years old and had expected to wait two more years before serving. When I heard that announcement, I felt that the Lord had opened a door just for me.
From that day forward, I spent the next year preparing. At age 19, I received my mission call to serve in the Mozambique Maputo Mission. My mission began in Angola, my home country, and I later had the opportunity to serve in Eswatini. Helder also served a full-time mission in the Portugal Lisbon Mission. Those experiences strengthened our testimonies, deepened our conversion to Jesus Christ, and taught us to trust the Lord completely.
After returning from our missions, we were married and built our family on the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I also completed my university education and earned my bachelor’s degree. Today, we continue to serve faithfully in the Church, and we are deeply grateful for the many blessings the Lord has given us.
Looking back, I can clearly see that Institute was much more than an educational program. It was where the Lord prepared me for missionary service, for an eternal marriage, for family life, for my education, and for a lifetime of discipleship.
Institute is one of the greatest gifts I have ever received. It didn’t just prepare me for a mission—it prepared me for my life. It strengthened my relationship with Jesus Christ, shaped my family, inspired me to continue my education, and helped me become the woman the Lord wanted me to be.
As I reflect on my journey—from a little girl learning the gospel from my mother’s testimony, to serving a mission, building an eternal family, and continuing to serve in the Church—I know that the Lord has guided every step of my life. Institute has been an essential part of that journey, and I will always be grateful for its eternal influence.
- Laureth João, Viana Angola Stake, Angola