[MUSIC PLAYING] Because of circumstances in the country, it really has been almost 14 years since an Apostle was able to see the people in a broad way. I consider it just a great, great privilege to be here.

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] In 1977 I had the privilege of participating in that special conference in which they organized the first stake here in Venezuela. Looking back, I never could have imagined how the Church would be today, 40 years later. [SINGING HYMNS] We had a period where we, for good reason, had to bring home North American missionaries. At the time, the four missions, they would have constituted about half of the missionaries in this country. [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] It was quite an experience. At first we were sad to know that there were not as many missionaries, but the leaders did give us a new challenge, a new goal. What was impressive was, the leadership in Venezuela said, "We know that there are enough missionaries left that you can only have two missions, but don't do that. We will rise up, and we will have additional young people called. We will fill those missions." [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Today the missions are just as full as they were when we had North American missionaries. Almost every young person in Venezuela serves a mission in Venezuela. I think it's a miracle.

We always feel very touched when we shake the hands of the missionaries. After about 15 missionaries had come through, there just came this overwhelming feeling of what a wonderful group of missionaries that we have, even under those circumstances. And it brought tears to both of our eyes. I don't know when I've had a more strong impression, clearly from the Holy Ghost, letting me know that everything that had transpired had turned out to be a blessing with those particular missionaries. It was really quite remarkable to me.

Wherever there are challenges, if people will have religious observance in the home, and then they see themselves as a light to the people that are around them, and then they focus on the temple covenants as the vision they have of how they want their lives to be--if they do those three things, they can be successful in Venezuela, and they can be successful in places where you might think it would be difficult to raise families. [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Caracas is a hard city. Many members of the Church have great faith in the Lord. They're strong in the Church despite the mishaps, the difficulties, and the hard situations they are in. Once they have gained a testimony, they are solid in the gospel. I leave my blessing that in this great country of great people, the members will live in such a way that they will be a light to everybody, that these magnificent missionaries we saw this morning will increase in number, and that we will help them in helping the Lord establish His Church. The great blessing is to get with people like this, who have not had an Apostle for a long time. I know that there has been hardship in their lives that are beyond what most of the Saints across the world face. And I felt inspired to talk to them about how the Savior's Atonement overcomes not only sin and death and not only allows us to have exaltation and salvation, but that it does cover all of the heartache, all of the heartbreak, all of the evils, all of what may seem unfairness of life. I know the voice of the Lord. I know that He lives. And I assure you that He guides the Church today. [MUSIC PLAYING]