President Nelson Addresses 10,000 Colombian Latter-day Saints
Contributed By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News editor
President Russell M. Nelson speaks during a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
BOGOTÁ, Colombia
In Colombia’s capital city of 7.1 million people, the ratio of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the general population is 67 to 1.
That could make life hard for youth growing up in this South American nation, where Bogotá’s bustling city center is defined by its dense population as well as its Spanish architecture, culture, and history.
Before addressing a capacity congregation in Movistar Arena on Sunday, August 25, President Russell M. Nelson greeted a small group of teens from Colombia. “Anything worthwhile in life is difficult to do,” he told them, referencing the daunting statistic. “But you can do hard things as you link yourself to the Lord.”
Less than 10 minutes earlier, as the youth waited for President Nelson to arrive, they spontaneously knelt and prayed together, offering thanks for the opportunity to greet a living prophet.
“This will forever be in my heart,” said Laura Guzman, 17. “I cannot describe in words how wonderful it is to know that God loves me.”
Youth attendees pray prior to meeting President Russell M. Nelson in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Responsibilities
Bogotá, located in the heart of Colombia and sitting 8,600 feet above sea level, is the second stop on President Nelson’s five-country, nine-day Latin America ministry tour.
This is President Nelson’s fifth visit to Colombia. He first traveled to the country as an Apostle in 1986.
Traveling with his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary G. Cook, President Nelson asked 10,400 Latter-day Saints to “prepare for the blessings of salvation and exaltation.”
“Salvation is an individual matter. Exaltation is a family affair,” President Nelson said, sharing his remarks in Spanish to a delighted congregation.
“Dear brothers and sisters, you can have all the necessary preparation to achieve the blessings of salvation and exaltation here in Colombia. You are the hope of Israel and the children of the promised day.
“Please: Study the scriptures as families. Pray together. Renew your baptismal covenants by regularly participating in the sacrament. Pay your tithes with grateful hearts. Attend the temple as often as your circumstances allow.”
“The Lord’s Way”
President Russell M. Nelson speaks during a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, say goodbye at the conclusion of a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Sister Wendy Nelson speaks during a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Sister Nelson asked the congregation to “do things the Lord’s way.” She shared three examples of men who have done this—Nephi, Joseph Smith, and President Nelson.
As a surgeon, President Nelson “followed eternal laws and did not build his life or his career ‘after the manner of men,’” she said.
Elder Cook focused his remarks on Alma’s counsel to his three sons—Helaman, Shiblon, and Corianton—and emphasized the need for a personal testimony. He also asked members to bridle their passions and repent of their sins.
“The concluding counsel that Alma gave to his sons is some of the most important doctrine in all of the scriptures. It relates to the Atonement. . . . None can return to God by his or her own good works alone without the benefit of the Savior’s sacrifice.”
Sister Cook said she finds great comfort in knowing “the Lord is mindful of His people no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. We rely on the Lord for His help and are ministered to by the Holy Ghost.”
In addition to the Nelsons and the Cooks, Elder Enrique R. Falabella, a General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Ruth Falabella, addressed the congregation.
Religious Freedom
During a VIP reception before the devotional, President Nelson greeted local government and religious leaders.
Lorena Rios, Colombia’s director of the Office of Religious Affairs, called herself a friend of the Church.
“To me, it is an honor to welcome President Nelson to my country,” she said.
The Church and the Colombian government have worked together on humanitarian efforts and in defense of religious liberty, she explained. “We are doing important things together.”
Colombia is the only Latin American nation that has enacted government policy to protect religious liberty. As part of that policy, the Colombian Senate created a commission to preserve religious liberty in the nation.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the government “are strategic partners,” Rios said. “We are promoting cooperation between religions and government.”
In addition, the Church of Jesus Christ has “good practices” and a social support system that can be shared with other churches as they encourage interfaith efforts that teach and instill values in the country, she said.
Monsignor Francisco Duque, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Colombia, which has about 2,000 members, praised the Church for these efforts.
“We are grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its active role on our interreligious council and for its vigorous support of religious freedom in Colombia.”
Monsignor Francisco Duque, bishop of the Episcopal Church in Colombia, is interviewed before a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
“We Felt Happy”
On May 11, 1966, President Spencer W. Kimball offered a prayer on the land of Colombia. The first stake was created in the nation just more than a decade later, on January 23, 1977. In March of that year, President Kimball addressed 4,600 Latter-day Saints during an area conference.
Irma Pineros, now a member of the Church for 39 years, attended that 1977 meeting. Later she would participate in a similar meeting with President Gordon B. Hinckley.
After listening to President Nelson speak on Sunday, she greeted and hugged friends, celebrating that a prophet had once again returned to her land.
Mercedes Alcedo traveled with her family to Colombia from Venezuela to participate in the devotional. When she heard President Nelson’s address, she was filled with the feeling that he is a prophet of God.
“We felt something beautiful,” she said. “We felt happy.”
Attendees line up to hear President Russell M. Nelson at a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, meet with youth in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with youth in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with youth in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with youth in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred.
President Russell M. Nelson speaks during a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Young attendees stand and stretch at the request of President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, greet attendees during a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, greet attendees during a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, wave to attendees during a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Wilmelis de Galeano holds her daughter Sara Galeano as she listens during a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Members of the choir watch as President Russell M. Nelson leaves a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, meet with youth in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Sister Mary G. Cook speaks during a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Primary children wave to President Russell M. Nelson during a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Manuel Pardo joins with his family and those in attendance in singing during a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Carol Steffany Vega Alvarez is interviewed following a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
Brenyi Grondona stands with her family as she is interviewed following a Latin America ministry tour devotional in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Other family members are Juan Carolos Grondona, father, left; Luzdary Ortiz de Grondona, mother, second from right; and Braider Grondona, brother, right. Photo by Ravell Call, Deseret News.
President Russell M. Nelson is given a khata by Olga Lucia Sierra with the Tibetan Buddhism of Colombia in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
The sun sets as attendees leave a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
Mountains rise above the city in Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred.
Numerous greenhouses line the horizon outside of Bogotá, Colombia, on Sunday, August 25, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson spoke in a devotional in the city. Photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.
