Do What Invites Christ into Your Life, Elder Andersen Tells Members in Remote Mexican Region
Contributed By Jason Swensen, Church News staff writer
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles greets members during a December 2016 visit to the “Isthmus” region in southern Oaxaca state, Mexico, in December of 2016.
Article Highlights
- Be kind to one another.
- Claim the blessings of paying tithing.
- Find opportunities to serve in homes and congregations.
- Overcome obstacles to attending the temple, observing the Sabbath, and strengthening family relationships.
OAXACA, MEXICO
The Church in Mexico is one of the great success stories of the Restoration. The nation is home to more than a million Latter-day Saints, hundreds of stakes, and a dozen temples.
But for many living in the Oaxaca coastal region of southwest Mexico, gathering with large groups of fellow members presents a challenge. The so-called “Isthmus” region in southern Oaxaca state is inaccessible by air and can be reached only by driving for hours along winding mountain roads.
Still, the members in the area are defined by their unity and faith.
“Although the area is relatively isolated from the rest of Mexico, it has not been isolated from the Church,” wrote Elder Paul B. Pieper, a General Authority Seventy who presides over the Mexico Area. “Three striving stakes and three districts have sprung up along the Pacific coast of Oaxaca.”
On December 9, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles arrived at the “Isthmus.” The occasion marked a joyful moment in local Church history. He is believed to be the first Apostle to visit the area.
Over a three-day period, Elder Andersen presided over a variety of gatherings—including a member devotional, a priesthood leadership conference, a devotional for young single adults, and a special December 11 stake conference for the Juchitan Mexico and Juchitan Mexico Las Flores Stakes.
Thousands enjoyed being with Elder Andersen, who was accompanied by Elder Pieper and Elder Afredo Miron, an Area Seventy.
“There was a wonderful outpouring of love and emotion from the members,” wrote Elder Pieper.
Elder Andersen’s visit, added Elder Miron, will never be forgotten by Latter-day Saints across the region.
Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks during one of several meetings with leaders and members in a remote area of southwestern Mexico where he visited in December of 2016. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Elder Neil L. Andersen greets a Relief Society sister during his visit to a remote region in southwestern Mexico. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
“The members were so excited for the stake conference that some arrived at three in the morning so they could find a good place to sit,” he wrote. “Elder Andersen’s visit brought great comfort to the members.”
The area is home to several indigenous communities that speak native languages. Many of the women enjoy wearing bright embroidered traditional dresses called “tehuanas” on special occasions such as Church meetings.
Scores of members were able to shake an Apostle’s hand for the first time and listen to his special witness of the Lord.
“I was most struck by Elder Andersen’s testimony of the Savior, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and President Thomas S. Monson,” wrote Elder Miron. “Tears flowed freely when people—young or old—shook Elder Andersen’s hand. A beautiful spirit filled the air.”
Elder Andersen’s counsel to the Mexican members, said Elder Miron, was simple: “Do the things that invite the Savior into your life.”
Elder Andersen encouraged the members to be kind to one another, to claim the blessings of paying tithing, and to find opportunities to serve in their homes and congregations. He also taught the importance of overcoming personal obstacles that stand in the way of attending the temple, observing the Sabbath, and strengthening family relationships.
Elder Neil L. Andersen poses with a young boy during a recent visit to a remote region in southwestern Mexico. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Elder Neil L. Andersen greets members during a December 2016 visit to a remote area of southwestern Mexico in December of 2016. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Elder Neil L. Andersen greets members during a December 2016 visit to a remote area of southwestern Mexico in December of 2016. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks during a December 2016 visit to a remote area of southwestern Mexico in December of 2016. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Members in the “Isthmus” region in southern Oaxaca state, Mexico, attend a meeting where Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks during a visit to the area in December 2016. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Members in the “Isthmus” region in southern Oaxaca state, Mexico, attend a meeting where Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks during a visit to the area in December 2016. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Elder Neil L. Andersen greets members during a December 2016 visit to a remote area of southwestern Mexico in December of 2016. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Elder Neil L. Andersen speaks during a December 2016 visit to a remote area of southwestern Mexico in December of 2016. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Elder Neil L. Andersen poses with a young family during his visit to a remote region of the Oaxaca state in southwestern Mexico.
Photo courtesy of Mexico Area.
Women in traditional “tehuanas” dresses gather for a member meeting in a southwest region of Mexico's Oaxaca state. Elder Neil L. Andersen presided at the meeting. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
Elder Neil L. Andersen greets a Relief Society sister during his visit to a remote region of southwestern Mexico. Photo courtesy of the Mexico Area.
