Ambassadors from Portugal and the Dominican Republic visited Utah as part of diplomatic efforts to strengthen ties and explore economic opportunities. Ambassador Lopes met with church leaders to discuss sustainable development, while Ambassador Guzmán highlighted the presence of Latter-day Saints in her nation. Both visits foster diplomatic relations aimed at mutual growth.
On a recent visit to Temple Square, Ambassador Francisco António Duarte Lopes of Portugal was welcomed by the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This visit was arranged by World Trade Center Utah in conjunction with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. Lopes, a seasoned diplomat with a career spanning over three decades, previously served as Portugal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and has focused on initiatives related to peace and human rights.
Portugal has a rich history with The Church of Jesus Christ, beginning with the baptism of its first member in 1967, now boasting around 48,000 Latter-day Saints. Elder Ulisses Soares, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, expressed the church’s mission of spreading love during his visit to Portugal in 2024, stating, “Our message is a message of love … to invite everyone to experience God’s love.”
During the Portuguese delegation’s visit to Utah, notable attendees included Honorary Consul Luis Camara Manoel, Pedro Leao from AICEP, and Consul General Filipe Ramalheira. Jonathan Freedman, president of World Trade Center Utah, noted the importance of establishing diplomatic ties and discussing economic opportunities, emphasizing that the delegation specifically aimed to explore sustainable energy, cancer research, and biotechnology sectors through site visits.
Additionally, the following day, World Trade Center Utah hosted Dominican Republic Ambassador Sonia Guzmán, who has served in her role since November 2020 as the first female ambassador for her country. The Dominican Republic is home to around 150,000 Latter-day Saints, with church activity present over the last 47 years. President Jeffrey R. Holland also visited the Dominican Republic in November 2024, encouraging individuals to embrace the gospel’s teachings for healing and guidance.
The visits of Ambassador Lopes of Portugal and Ambassador Guzmán of the Dominican Republic highlight the diplomatic efforts to foster connections and economic collaboration between Utah and these nations. Both ambassadors engaged in discussions surrounding development in critical sectors such as sustainable energy and biotechnology while also acknowledging the importance of the Latter-day Saints communities in their respective countries.
Original Source: www.deseret.com
