From the Church

President Nelson Tells Colombian Saints How to Access Heaven’s Greatest Blessings + Government Leaders Praise the Church

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President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught tens of thousands of Latter-day Saints gathered in Bogotá, Colombia, Sunday afternoon that heaven’s greatest blessings are possible thanks to Jesus Christ.

“We receive great comfort from God when He says: ‘This is my work and my glory — to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man,’” President Nelson said in Spanish, quoting a scripture. “Both of His objectives are possible by the Atonement of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.”

 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 one.

That could make life hard for youth growing up in this South American nation, where Bogota’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, Aug. 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.”

Story by Jane Weaver, Church News; lead image from the Church's newsroom of President Nelson greeting other faith leaders.
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