President Russell M. Nelson recently visited Latter-day Saints in five countries in South America during a nine-day trip, offering prophetic counsel in English and Spanish to thousands of Latter-day Saints in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile.
And as President Nelson is known to do, he continues to amaze.
After his long trip, he sat down with Elder Stevenson who accompanied him and they spoke of the wonderful opportunity they had to be among the saints.
President Nelson spoke of the exponential growth in South America.
“The Church is relatively young here in South America,” he said, noting the growth in membership on the continent. “Ninety years ago, nothing. … I’m 94 years old. I was born in 1924. … And now, former General Authorities were there and young people who have been in the Church for a long time. We saw four-generation families.”
While some might see this as the final chapter in the fulfillment of prophecy, for President Nelson, it is just the beginning.
“We’re witnesses to a process of restoration,” said the prophet. “If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. … Wait till next year. And then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It’s going to be exciting.”
To hear President Nelson’s quote about the process of restoration, click on the video link below and jump to the 5:45 mark.
President Nelson and his wife, Wendy, and Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared insights into their journey to South America during interviews with Newsroom and other Church media.
“We thank the Lord for His helping us to have a very successful event,” said President Russell M. Nelson following the dedication of the Concepción Chile Temple, Sunday, October 28, 2018.
The temple dedication in Chile was the final event on their nine-day tour to five South American countries, which also included Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay.
“Everyone did their parts well,” said President Nelson. “And the people — they’re so loving and so anxious to serve the Lord and serve each other.”
If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come.
This was Sister Nelson’s first visit to South America with the Church president. “What’s caught my attention about that is to see how much the people love the Lord, and therefore they’re so drawn to the prophet. … I think lives were changed,” she said.
“I can fight tears pretty well, but when it comes to … witnessing about the prophet of the Lord, I feel it deeply every time,” said Sister Nelson. “It’s quite incredible. It catches me off ‑guard.”
“I have seen him changing in the last ten months,” said Sister Nelson. “It is as though he’s been unleashed. He’s free to finally do what he came to earth to do. … And also, he’s free to follow through with things he’s been concerned about but could never do. Now that he’s president of [the Church], he can do those things.”
A “heavenly crescendo” is how Elder Stevenson described Sunday’s temple dedication. “It just was really punctuated by the Spirit and the people and their preparation spiritually,” he explained.
Elder Stevenson’s wife, Lesa, joined him on the trip. “We’ve seen members of the Church, Latter-day Saints who love their prophet, and they’ve manifested it in so many ways. And we’ve seen a prophet who loves the members of the Church, and he’s manifested it in so many ways. It’s been really a blessing to be able to watch and participate.”
“I see the Lord pouring strength into [President Nelson] …every day to be strong,” said Sister Nelson. “I’ve seen him be able to now do those things that have been in his heart. I’ve seen him, as I’ve said, be clear about doctrine. I’ve seen him become younger. I’ve seen him become happier … because he’s doing what he came to earth to do. … He was foreordained to be the prophet of God on the earth today.”
There is much more to come. … Wait till next year. And then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It’s going to be exciting.
“He is only reporting to the Lord, and he is fearless with that focus,” she said. “That and his passion for preserving the agency of others. This is not a man who will say, ‘you must.’ In fact, he said to me the other day, ‘I don’t even want to use the word must in any of my talks. I don’t like that word.’ That is Russell Marion Nelson. He will never force the human mind.”
“He’s not afraid to do something different,” said the prophet’s wife. “If we’re really preparing the Church and the world for the Second Coming of the Savior, he is sincere about that. He doesn’t want us spending money, time, energy on anything that isn’t really focused on that. It’s pretty stunning.”
The senior Church leaders returned to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, but Sister Nelson acknowledges this won’t be the last ministry tour for the prophet. “My husband is a global man. … He thinks outside of the box,” she said. “I cannot get him to act his age. … If he is at home he’ll say, ‘It’s wonderful to be home, but I need to be with the people.’”
“This is a global ministry,” said President Nelson. “We’re prophets for the whole world — all of God’s children — not just the members of the Church. … We’ll get around, but we’ll still miss more than we’ll touch, but we’ll try. We won’t give up just because it’s a big job.”
He added, “You see these beautiful children. You see these beautiful people who love the Lord, and they love the Lord’s servants. It’s not Russell or Gary that they love; it’s the office.”
“This is a calling. … It’s the Lord’s work,” concluded President Nelson. “And it’s a privilege for us to participate in it in any way. We love it. It’s very energizing.”
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Brandon
Monday 12th of April 2021
Love President Nelson, but saying the church isn’t fully restored is walking a fine line. Especially when the first presidency released an official document stating that it has been fully restored. I think he needs to use the word revelation rather than restoration.
Revelation is possibly because the church is restored, as long as the Prophet and apostles are worthy of the Lords guidance. The changes that have occurred haven’t necessarily been a restoration to me but rather clarification by revelation of what we were already given so that we can more fully utilize the restored gospel. The restoration of the gospel is complete as far as we need in order make covenants and do ordinances to be able to return to our father in Heaven. That sounds like a fully restored gospel to me.
One could say that the gospel won’t be fully restored until Jesus comes, the earth receives its glory, wicked are cast out and we are judged. One could say that the gospel hasn’t been fully restored to certain places on our earth. President Nelson needs to clarify those statements better. It is important not to detract from the fact that Joseph Smith did fully restore the gospel, especially when that is the defining characteristic that separates Christ’s church from all other Christian faiths.
Andy
Sunday 4th of November 2018
They ARE following the Church's style guide in this article: "When referring to Church members, the terms "members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" or "Latter-day Saints" are preferred." This article uses Latter-day saints properly to refer to church members. They have also stated that "Mormon Newsroom" will be changing its name and you just need to be patient. You might want to read up on the style guide here: https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/style-guide
Nephi
Friday 2nd of November 2018
Tom, the Lord has spoken through his mouthpiece, the Prophet, even President Russell M. Nelson. He has declared that the Lord is offended by nicknames such as "Mormon." I know that following the Prophet brings blessings. I will follow His council and choose not to offend the Lord in heaven, our God. Will you do the same?
Tom
Friday 2nd of November 2018
Names of things indeed are important. But, not to the point of becomIng Pharisees who watched and counted and observed the Mosaic Law. They could not even realize the Savior was among them because He violated their prescribed laws.
Ben Arkell
Friday 9th of November 2018
Tom, we are talking about the name of Christ here. It's foundational to the true Church. This one needs to be corrected.
Jeff
Thursday 1st of November 2018
The correct phrase is "members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Our prophet has clearly taught us that, by excising the Lord's name when referencing members of the Church as "Latter-day Saints," you are offending Christ and handing major victories to Satan.