Elder David A. Bednar Speaks to Thousands in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addressed more than 3,000 people in a conference held Sunday, November 12, 2023, in Ciudad Juárez, located on the northern border of Mexico.

This meeting marked the culmination of his nine-day ministry in Mexico, as he participated in training, devotionals and meetings with local Church leaders, government leaders and media representatives.

In Ciudad Juárez, Elder Bednar shared a message of peace and hope, inviting people to “fear not, doubt not” and to lift “every thought” to Christ.

The special conference was held at the Bachilleres Gymnasium and was attended by thousands of members and friends of the Church of Jesus Christ from five congregations from Ciudad Juárez and the surrounding region.

Before the start of the conference, Elder Bednar greeted Oscar Ibáñez, representative of Governor Maru Campos in the northern part of the state of Chihuahua, as well as the municipal president of Ciudad Juárez, Cruz Pérez Cuéllar, with whom he spoke about the Church’s humanitarian aid projects and how members of the Church can join initiatives that aim to improve their communities.

Ciudad Juárez was the last area to close Elder Bednar's ministry in Mexico, which also included Hidalgo, the state of Mexico and Mexico City.

At the conference in Ciudad Juárez, Elder Bednar was accompanied by Elder Adrián Ochoa of the Mexico Area Presidency and Elder Russell A. Robinson, an Area Seventy. Elder Bednar reiterated the words of the Savior, exhorting attendees to “fear not but look unto the Savior in every thought” in these complicated times.

Meetings with Missionaries and Local Leaders

Elder Bednar participated in training meetings with local Church leaders. His activities in this border city also included meetings with missionaries from the Chihuahua and Ciudad Juárez missions and a devotional with the youth.

Each meeting included an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. His answers were direct. For example, to a young man's question of how to get closer to God, his response was, “Repent. Change.”

He concluded each meeting with an apostolic blessing for the attendees.