Three days into his South American tour and Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, already has met with thousands of members and one very important nonmember: Peru’s reformist president, Martín Vizcarra.
Nelson described his talks Saturday with Vizcarra as “an extraordinary privilege,” according to a church news release. “He was very warm and gracious — welcoming.”
The visiting Latter-day Saint delegation detailed for their host the Utah-based faith’s humanitarian efforts in his country with an emphasis on youngsters.
“The president … is aware … that we are trying to reach the poor people in Peru, helping them with the things they need," Enrique R. Falabella, a general authority Seventy and a member of the church’s South America Northwest Area Presidency, said in the release.
“We also praised the work of his wife [first lady Maribel Díaz Cabello],” Nelson said. “ … She is a well‑known educator and very concerned for the welfare of the women and children particularly. She is a wonderful example of the power of a woman in her country.”
Nelson and his wife, Wendy, along with apostle Gary E. Stevenson and his wife, Lesa, also met Saturday afternoon with Latter-day Saint missionaries and held an evening devotional in Lima for Peruvian members.
On Sunday, the church leaders huddled with members in El Alto, Bolivia.
(Courtesy photo | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) A dad gives his daughter a boost above the crowd to get a better look at President Russell M. Nelson during a Sunday devotional in Bolivia on Oct. 21, 2018.
“You’ve come great distances to be here tonight, and so have we,” said Nelson, delivering his sermon in English and Spanish. At one point, he invited the children in attendance to stand and sing one verse of the beloved Latter-day Saint classic “I Am a Child of God.”
"You parents and teachers have a great responsibility to teach these children,” Nelson said, according to a news release. “Teach them what it really means to be a child of God. They're made in his image."
The 94-year-old leader, who took the church’s helm in January, was scheduled for more meetings Monday, this time in Paraguay, before heading on to Uruguay and Chile, where the new Concepción temple will be dedicated and the last stop on his nine-day, five-nation South American journey.
Earlier in the year, Nelson undertook a global tour that took him to eight cities and several continents in 11 days. Since taking the church’s reins, he also has traveled to Canada (twice) along with Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
(Courtesy photo | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Young Latter-day Saints in traditional costume in Peru greet President Russell M. Nelson before he speaks at a devotional Oct. 20, 2018.
