Elder Gong Invites Mexico Saints to Find Peace in the House of the Lord 

The phrase “Holiness to the Lord,” inscribed on temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, invites us to find peace and inspiration in these sacred spaces, which are meant to bless all aspects of life. 

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the faith’s second-highest governing body) shared this message during his recent visit to Mexico. 

In a devotional titled “The House of the Lord,” broadcast throughout Mexico on February 9, 2025, the senior Church leader encouraged people of all ages to seek a deeper connection with the divine in these holy places. 

“Mexico has been blessed with many temples,” Elder Gong noted, emphasizing the blessings of regularly coming to the Lord in His holy house. He was accompanied by his wife, Susan, as well as Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Presidency of the Seventy and Mexico Area Church leaders and their spouses. 

“I love the holy house of the Lord,” Elder Gong said, delivering his message in Spanish. “[God] would say to us, ‘My house is your house.’ Holiness to the Lord makes daily life sacred, brings us closer to the Lord and makes us happier. It prepares us to live with our Heavenly Father, with Jesus Christ and with our loved ones for eternity.” 

The Apostle invited Church leaders to help new Latter-day Saints understand the importance of coming to the Lord in His holy temples and encouraged everyone to bring the names of their ancestors to the temple as a way to strengthen family bonds. 

“In the chain of our eternal family, each of us can be a strong link,” Elder Gong said. “During life’s challenges, the holy house of the Lord gives us faith, hope, and strength. The Lord desires to uplift and strengthen each of us in His time and in His way.” 

Elder Gong highlighted some of the remarkable developments happening today, including the growth of temples in Mexico, and encouraged everyone to seek and find peace and inspiration within these sacred spaces. 

Be Strong Links in Your Generations 

In a separate devotional for new members of the Church, Elder Gong met with members from several stakes in northern Mexico City, encouraging them to be “a strong link in their generations.” 

Elder Nash reminded new members that the way to come unto Christ and follow Him is “through faith and repentance. If we have a close relationship with Him and trust Him, the path will be joyful.” 

Elder Gong listened to the conversion stories of some of the attendees, including friends learning from the missionaries and members who had recently returned to Church activity. To all of them, Elder Gong promised: “Your future is full of divine potential. Prepare for the temple. Remember your ancestors as you go there; offer them opportunity to accept for themselves sacred ordinances and covenants.” 

Elder Sean Douglas of the Mexico Area Presidency affirmed that “we are all invited to follow the Lord’s path. The gate of baptism is the gateway to the temple.” Sister Ann Douglas encouraged new members to “move forward with courage and remain steadfast in Christ.” 

Sister Gong explained that following the Savior requires courage and faith. “Let us make prayer an important part of our day. If you receive the blessing of a calling in your ward or branch, accept it. Continue to be blessed by His gospel,” she said. 

Helping the Rising Generation Become Disciples of Christ 

With seminary teachers and institute directors, Elder Gong said, “We can count how many seeds are in an apple, but we cannot count how many apples are in a seed.” With this analogy, he invited the Church’s seminary and institute teachers in Mexico to reflect on the importance of their assignments in preparing the rising generation to become disciples of Christ. 

The Apostle also urged teachers to teach young people with love, through the scriptures and by example. 

“The gospel of Jesus Christ gives us second and third chances. Great teachers love their students. They teach them who they are and the doctrine of Christ. Your task is to ignite the spirits of young people so that they become disciples of Christ,” Elder Gong said.