Elder Nelson Meets with Saints in Central America

By Jose Peña

Liahona Correspondent

In January, while on assignment from the First Presidency, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles traveled to Central America to train priesthood leaders and instruct local members.

El Salvador

On Saturday, January 14, Elder Nelson met with priesthood leaders from around El Salvador in a meetinghouse on the grounds of the San Salvador El Salvador Temple. He was accompanied by Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy; Elder Enrique R. Falabella of the Seventy, President of the Central America Area; Elder Carlos Rivas, Area Seventy; Walter Ray Petersen, temple president; and David L. Glazier, El Salvador San Salvador Mission president.

Elder Nelson instructed leaders on ministering and the importance of being shepherds in Israel. He emphasized studying the scriptures and using the Holy Ghost as a constant guide. He also spoke of the blessing of the new LDS edition of the Bible in Spanish.

The next day, Elder Nelson, accompanied by his wife, Wendy, and Elder Rivas, presided over the San Salvador El Salvador La Libertad Stake conference.

In his remarks, Elder Nelson invoked an apostolic blessing upon the members and leaders of El Salvador who live the gospel and are faithful to their covenants.

Nicaragua

Then, on January 18, 2012, Elder Nelson met with members in Nicaragua, accompanied by Elder Enrique R. Falabella and Elder James B. Martino, both of the Seventy.

He urged members to increase in holiness and to continue working on their family history records. “I promise you that when you are ready, the Lord will do His part so that you have a temple,” he said.

We should cultivate in ourselves attributes of the Savior, Elder Nelson said, beginning with love.

“We can learn to love through service,” he said. “Another attribute is to pay attention to the ordinances: baptism and the sacrament. They relate to the Crucifixion of the Savior.”

Other habits Elder Nelson said members should cultivate are to pray as the Savior prayed and to acquire knowledge through scripture study. “Read the scriptures to your children, develop love for [the scriptures], and I assure you, you will come to feel joy as you apply [what you learn] in your lives,” he said.

Finally Elder Nelson said, “Cultivate perseverance; persevere to the end. Jesus Christ suffered more than anyone else and did not give up. He trusted His Father to the end. Remember this when you have to face the challenges of life.”

In closing, Elder Nelson expressed gratitude for the faith, devotion, and tithes and offerings of the members in Nicaragua, and he testified of the Atonement.

“Our Lord’s Resurrection assures us and opens the door to eternal life through faith and repentance, if we endure to the end,” he said.

While visiting members in El Salvador and Nicaragua, Elder Russell M. Nelson commended those who live the gospel and are faithful to their covenants.