Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The 189th Semiannual General Conference was a sacred occasion for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and many traveled from far and wide to experience the event together.
Few attendees, however, likely came from Pakistan, and few so perfectly embody the church’s aspirations to spread across the globe as first-time attendee Razzaq Gill.
Gill grew up in Sambrial, Pakistan, in a Catholic household, which is itself a rarity in a country that is now more than 95% Muslim. Gill came across the Book of Mormon for the first time in his mid-20s and, with the help of American Robert Simmons, converted to the church and began reaching out to his friends and family.
Simmons worked for the American embassy in Islamabad and shared the Book of Mormon among Pakistan’s Christian community from his home. Gill said his Pakistani friends and family were so receptive to the gospel that the church once baptized 25 people together.
Ultimately, Gill served a mission for the church in Birmingham, England. Both Gill and Simmons believe Gill was the first Pakistani missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The church was unable to confirm this; a spokesman said the church does not track such milestones).
Gill thrived in difficult situations, he said, earning the moniker the “Miracle Elder” for his ability to enter areas with long stretches of no baptisms and convert people to the church. Simmons said during Gill’s mission to England, a local Muslim leader offered Gill a house, a wife and money if he would only convert to Islam and proselytize for it instead.
Gill said it was very exciting to be among his country’s first missionaries. “I am so thankful to God,” he said.
Today, Gill is 54 and lives in Wiesbaden, Germany. He said he has taught the gospel throughout Europe, including in Italy and Turkey.
Gill’s attendance at general conference, his first trip to Utah, allowed him to see his family. Gill’s brother Mushtaq converted to the church and emigrated to the United States in the '90s. He lives in Rose Park with his wife and children.
It also allowed him to reconnect with the man who helped him begin his journey, Simmons, for the first time in over two decades. He returned home to Germany this week.
