Live the basics, President Russell Nelson urges Guatemalan Latter-day Saints

In today’s increasingly complex world, President Russell M. Nelson had this advice Saturday for Guatemalan Latter-day Saints: Keep it simple.

In the first stop on his nine-day, five-nation tour of Latin America, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints urged thousands of members gathered in an outdoor stadium in Guatemala City to remember God and live divine decrees.

“My counsel today is very simple: Please keep the commandments of God,” Nelson said, according to a church news release. “Please teach your children as well as each other about the Lord Jesus Christ. His atonement is the greatest event in the history of the world.”

Nelson, who has visited the Central American nation nine times during his 35 years of full-time church service, also encouraged his audience to communicate with the Almighty.

“Remember to pray to him each morning and evening,” Nelson said in his sermon, which he delivered primarily in Spanish. “Pray in your families. Pray in private. Pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ with the Holy Ghost. As you do so, he will direct you for good in all you do.”

Apostle Quentin L. Cook, who is traveling with the prophet-president, invited Latter-day Saints to be good examples to those around them.

“Be a light on a hill. Don’t be in camouflage,” Cook said. “You probably think I’m talking about missionary work — and, yes, that is important. But I’m more concerned about being an example at work and in the community and at school.”

Guatemala is home to nearly 278,000 Latter-day Saints, according to the release, and includes two of the faith’s temples.

Nelson, who is touring with his wife, Wendy, was scheduled to address members Sunday in an arena in Bogota, Colombia. The entourage then will jet to Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil.

Since becoming the faith’s 17th president some 19 months ago, Nelson has journeyed to every continent except Antarctica.