Helvécio Martins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Helvécio Martins |
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Helvécio Martins in 1990
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| Second Quorum of the Seventy | |
| 31 March 1990 – 30 September 1995 | |
| Called by | Ezra Taft Benson |
| End reason | Honorably released |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 July 1930 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Died | 14 May 2005 (aged 74) Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Spouse(s) | Rudá Tourinho de Assis |
| Children | 4 |
Helvécio Martins (born July 27, 1930 – died May 14, 2005) was a very important person in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was the first person of Black African descent to become a general authority in the Church. This means he was called to a top leadership position.
Helvécio was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His family were descendants of African slaves. He joined the Church in 1972. At that time, people of Black African descent could not hold the priesthood or take part in special temple ceremonies.
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A Historic Change
On June 9, 1978, something big happened. Helvécio and his family heard exciting news. The Church announced that the rule preventing Black members from holding the priesthood was lifted. This was a huge moment for many people.
After this change, Helvécio Martins received the priesthood. He also took part in temple ceremonies. He then served in many important roles in the Church.
Serving the Church
Helvécio Martins became a bishop, which is a leader of a local congregation. He also served as a counselor to a stake president, who leads several congregations in an area. Later, he became the president of the Brazil Fortaleza Mission. This meant he was in charge of missionaries in that part of Brazil.
Called as a General Authority
In April 1990, Church President Ezra Taft Benson called Helvécio Martins to be a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. This was a historic event. Helvécio Martins became the first Black general authority in the Church. He served in this role for five years.
He was honorably released from his service as a general authority on September 30, 1995. Helvécio Martins passed away in Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, when he was 74 years old.
His Life Story
Helvécio Martins shared his life story. It was published as a book called The Autobiography of Elder Helvecio Martins. This book helps others learn about his journey and faith.
Family Legacy
Helvécio's son, Marcus, has also followed in his father's footsteps. Marcus is a professor and leads the religion department at Brigham Young University–Hawaii.
See also
- 1978 Revelation on Priesthood
- Blacks and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Joseph W. Sitati
