Standard of Truth Podcast – S5B13: Sweetwater Rescue Lithuania – Interview with President Risi

Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: Dr. Garrett Dirkmaat, Dr. Richard Leduc
Guest: President Risi, Lithuania District
Theme: Faith, Service, and Miracles in the Sweetwater Rescue Temple Trip to Helsinki

Episode Overview

In this special bonus episode, Dr. Richard Leduc interviews President Risi, district president over the Vilnius, Lithuania district of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The focus is on the recent, historic Sweetwater Rescue temple trip, which brought nearly 100 Lithuanian Saints to the Helsinki Finland Temple. The conversation explores how miracles, faith, and communal service made the trip possible, highlighting lessons in ministering, organizing, and overcoming challenges in a small but resilient Church community.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Gratitude, Miracles, and Overcoming the Impossible

• President Risi opens with heartfelt thanks for the support and donations that made the trip possible.

  “First of all, I just would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart and with the gratitude of those of the Lithuania, Vilnius, Lithuania district for the donations and for all the support we have received from everyone.” (01:17 – President Risi)

• Initially, the task seemed impossible, leading to many sleepless nights.
• A powerful spiritual experience: In a moment of doubt, President Risi prays for help and feels a distinct divine reassurance:

  “Immediately I heard a voice, and it was like, 'You're coming to my house. Don't you think I'm going to help you in this process?'” (02:10 – President Risi)

• Despite logistical challenges—organizing buses, hotels, session groups for about 100 people—everything proceeded smoothly, reaffirming faith in divine involvement.

2. Tangible Miracles and Tender Moments

• Several "literal miracles" occurred. One member, unsure if she could go, found unexpected help from the missionary who had taught her 20 years earlier, allowing her last-minute participation.

  “It’s incredible to see how much in advance the Lord started to move the cogs and the wheels...” (03:16 – President Risi)

• President Risi shares a spiritual experience involving his wife, who was able to perform temple ordinances for her aunt despite late complications.

  “The spirit was so strong in the room that several people ... told her we all felt that the ordinances were accepted.” (04:30 – President Risi)

3. Service and Ministering: The Example of the Sweetwater Rescue Foundation

• Dr. Leduc and volunteers served district members with joy, rising early to prepare breakfasts and cooking meals, crossing language barriers through cheerful effort.
• President Risi emphasizes that the lasting impact was witnessing firsthand “serving as the Savior served”:

  “If there's one thing the members are taking from this trip, it's a living, first hand experience of serving as the Savior served.” (06:38 – President Risi)

• He underscores that this example will motivate Lithuanian Saints to serve in their own communities going forward.

4. Cultural Moments: Humor and Friendship

• Lighthearted discussion about cultural differences is shared:
  • In Lithuania, honesty is a sign of friendship—bad porridge isn’t politely excused but directly called out to help the cook improve:

    “If your porridge is bad, people out of politeness… in Eastern Europe, they're gonna tell you, 'Hey, just a heads up, this does not taste good.'” (09:14 – President Risi)

• Volunteer Rob Harap’s porridge improved noticeably by the end, reflecting the spirit of friendly encouragement.

5. Organizing Across Borders and Faith

• Organizing such a large trip required detailed planning, with various committees and late-night meetings involving volunteers in multiple time zones.
• Parallels are drawn with similar efforts in Argentina and Peru, revealing a shared pattern of leaders leaning on faith and testimony when faced with daunting logistics.

  “We were just servants that were bringing people to the house of the Lord. And that was a very humbling experience.” (11:35 – President Risi)

6. Divine Timing and the Importance of Connection

• The trip was initially inspired by a “chance”—yet divinely timed—encounter between Jeff Meyer (a former missionary in Lithuania) and a Lithuanian member at the Bountiful Temple in Utah:

  “I don't believe in coincidences, in the work of the Lord... a couple of seconds later from one side or the other, and, you know, they would have missed each other.” (13:07 – President Risi)

• This connection began the sequence leading to the Sweetwater Rescue trip.

7. Most Memorable Moments and Lasting Impact

• President Risi’s highlight: seeing district members worship in the temple, some for the first time, filled with joy and gratitude.

  “Really was to see the members worshiping in the temple, you know, and seeing them all dressed in white... just how happy and radiant they were…” (14:08 – President Risi)

• The model of service provided is seen as transformational, something that will remain with Lithuanian Saints as a blueprint for future acts of ministering.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Spiritual Reassurance:

  “You're coming to my house. Don't you think I'm going to help you in this process?”
  (02:10 – President Risi quoting spiritual prompting)

• On Service:

  “If there's one thing the members are taking from this trip, it's a living, first hand experience of serving as the Savior served.”
  (06:38 – President Risi)

• On Lithuanian Directness:

  “In Eastern Europe... they're gonna tell you, 'Hey, just a heads up, this does not taste good.' ... It does come from a place of friendship and concern.”
  (09:14 – President Risi)

• On Humility in Leadership:

  “We were just servants that were bringing people to the house of the Lord.”
  (11:35 – President Risi)

• Divine Timing:

  “Imagine a five second difference. Probably wouldn't be here.”
  (14:08 – President Risi referencing Jeff and Edward’s meeting at the temple)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:17–03:16 | President Risi shares gratitude and recounts first miracles in trip planning | | 04:30–06:38 | Spiritual experiences in the temple; service from volunteers | | 07:36–10:29 | Cultural discussion: honesty, food, and bonds of friendship | | 11:35–14:08 | Organizing the trip, parallels from abroad, the divine encounter that sparked the effort | | 14:08–15:38 | President Risi’s favorite moment: seeing the members in the temple |

Closing Thoughts

President Risi and Dr. Leduc conclude by expressing deep gratitude for the unity, compassion, and faith experienced during the Sweetwater Rescue Lithuania temple trip. Amidst daunting obstacles, the Lord’s hand was seen consistently—from small miracles to lasting friendships, and above all, in the loving service rendered and received.

“We will be looking for opportunities to emulate what you have done for us and to give back in return.” (17:15 – President Risi)

The episode stands as a moving testament to faith in action and the profound effects of selfless ministering.

For more inspiring photos and stories, listeners are encouraged to follow Sweetwater Rescue on Instagram and Facebook.