General Officers Minister in Puebla, Mexico

Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency; Amy A. Wright, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, and J. Anette Dennis, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, recently completed a visit to Mexico that included training, ministering visits, devotionals and meetings with government representatives.

First, however, Sister Craig and Sister Wright were special guests at a soccer game for children with Down syndrome in the city of Puebla de los Ángeles in the state of Mexico.

At this lively game, the sisters were accompanied by Liliana Ortiz, president of the Municipal DIF (the National System for Integral Family Development) of Puebla, who thanked the Church for its interest in humanitarian aid projects in the community.

The children and young people who participated in this soccer match are part of a municipal DIF program aimed at promoting the inclusion of people with Down syndrome and supporting them in the development of social skills by providing opportunities for learning and coexistence. The program’s motto is “With you and with direction”.

Liliana Ortiz later participated in a tour of the La Paz meetinghouse, one of the emblematic buildings of the Church in Puebla. During her visit, she learned about the history of the Church in this city as well as the different Church programs to support children and young people.

In turn, Ortiz showed Sister Craig, Sister Wright and local leaders some of the programs the municipal DIF participates in to provide health services and assistance to vulnerable people with special needs or limited resources.

At the end of the tour, Ortiz was presented with a family statuette as a token of appreciation for the mutual commitment of the Church and the DIF to care for and strengthen families.

“God Will Do Great Things Through You”

In a special devotional for children, Sister Wright shared a special message for the little ones from Church President Russell M. Nelson: “We love you, we trust you, and we need you.”

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“What do you know about Jesus?” asked Sister Wright. The very children excitedly gave their answers. "Jesus loves children very much," one of the little ones replied.

In another example, a group of children rang some bells, each one with a different tone, to create a harmony that corresponded to a Primary song. Sister Wright used this example to emphasize the idea that each of them is a child of God and has an important purpose.

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“It is important that you know how the Holy Spirit speaks to you,” Sister Wright added. To the parents, she emphasized teaching their children about this topic.

“It is important that we invite (children) to share how they feel,” Sister Wright said. “It is not necessarily with tears [that the Holy Spirit manifests] but through other feelings such as peace, tranquility, love, joy ... and they must learn to recognize it.”

Finally, the children drew a picture of one thing they could do to follow Jesus Christ, applying what they learned with Sister Wright, who concluded by sharing her testimony.

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"I testify that you have the ability to be mighty instruments in the hands of the Lord as we prepare together for His Second Coming,” she said.

Relief Society Devotional

Sister Dennis gave a special devotional for Relief Society sisters from congregations in Puebla de los Ángeles, Mexico.

According to the attendees, Sister Dennis “filled the room with love from the moment she entered it.”

During this devotional, which was also attended by Elder Carlos Gabaldón of the Seventy, Sister Dennis emphasized the importance of finding ways to teach little ones about the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way they understand. "All of us have young people and children in our sphere of influence," she stressed.

She also talked about how our covenants bring us closer to the power of God. She invited the sisters to come to His house, and make and keep covenants to become "women with the power of God." She then quoted President Nelson, who has taught that every man and woman who participates in priesthood ordinances and who makes and keeps covenants with God has direct access to His power.

Devotional for Young Women and Young Men

Sister Craig delivered a special message during a devotional for the young women and men of Puebla.

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Elder Hugo Montoya, President of the Mexico Area, urged the youth to find peace in Christ. “He gives us strength in the storm,” he stated. “As we draw closer to Christ, we will find the peace we seek.”

After recounting a story of her father climbing a very high mountain, Sister Craig explained that one of the rules of the mountain is never to go alone, but always to have a companion. The guide told her father: put your feet where I put mine and don't look down.

“What does this story have to do with us?” Sister Craig asked. “Sometimes this path is very difficult. All of us follow someone. We want to follow Jesus Christ and become like Him, but it is not easy.”

She continued, “The motto of this year's youth says, ‘I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.’ However, when Paul wrote this, he was in prison.”

The image that accompanies this year's motto represents a balanced stone turret, which is a symbol that Christ is the rock, as well as a sign to direct our path.

“We need to go on this journey to grow spiritually and become who we need to become,” Sister Craig pointed out. “The Savior's perfect life marks the path we all must take to find Him again.”

"Learning about Jesus Christ will help us recognize the signs to guide us on the way,” she testified. “Jesus Christ has marked the path. By learning from Him we will have the Spirit, and we will have more peace and strength in our lives.”

To read the original stories published on Spanish Newsroom, click on the links below.