The 2024 Paris Olympic Games has changed the dynamic of the city as many locals have left and an influx of spectators from all around the world have arrived.
The city has a number of roads that are closed, temporary structures are in place, and the local life has been disrupted for this worldwide event.
However, missionary work for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints still pushes forward.
In Paris, the missionaries took advantage of these new opportunities for teaching God’s children His gospel.
“We [were] invited to go to the center of Paris during the opening ceremony. It was really cool to see all the streets were different. There were no cars out. It was just loads of people. It was really fun and lots of tourists,” said Elder Dallin Tenney from Taylorsville, Utah.
At one point throughout the Games, many missionaries from surrounding areas came to center-Paris to go out and talk to as many people as they could.
“All of us were able to have really great conversations with a whole bunch of different people,” said Elder Ian Hays from Huntingtown, Maryland.
Elder Hays recounted how he had a great conversation with one gentleman who was interested in the Book of Mormon.
“He thought it was fascinating to see people his own age going around Just talking about the belief in God because that's something that doesn't happen very much in France,” Hays said. “We gave him a copy [of the Book of Mormon], we got his phone number, [and] we were able to send it to other missionaries who were able to contact him later.”
Missionaries get one day of week that they have for themselves to sightsee, grocery shop, talk to their families, etc. Aside from that one day, they have a constant schedule of serving and helping others.
But with the Olympics in town, the Paris missionaries are allowed to attend events if it is approved by their mission president.
“We went to a soccer match, which was awesome,” said Sam Bird from Meridian, Idaho.
Even with all the unique and exciting events impacting the country during the Games, these Elders have strong testimonies in their call to serve.
“Heavenly Father’s preparing people even during the Olympics,” said Elder Liam Henriksen from North Salt Lake, Utah. “It’s been awesome to see miracles.”
