VISIT WITH ELDER HOLLAND

VISIT WITH ELDER HOLLAND

Almost a century has passed since a latter-day Apostle, Elder Melvin J. Ballard, prophesied that South America “is to be a power in the Church.”
Since that time, millions—from Colombia to Argentina and several nations in between—have joined the Church. Temples dot the continent. Hundreds of stakes have been formed.
It’s tempting to say Elder Ballard’s words are fulfilled.
But such a comment would be only a half-truth. The prophecy of South America, according to one of Elder Ballard’s apostolic successors, continues to be fulfilled. Its true power has yet to be realized.
South America “is the setting for one of the leading extended congregations in the Church and will continue to be so,” said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “Much of the present and the future Church growth will focus on all of Latin America.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks to missionaries in Quito, Ecuador, during an assignment to Ecuador and Peru February 12–22. Photo courtesy of the South America Northwest Area.

Members attend a Quito Ecuador Stake conference where Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke during an assignment to Ecuador and Peru February 12–22. Photo courtesy of the South America Northwest Area.

Members attend a Quito Ecuador Stake conference where Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke during an assignment to Ecuador and Peru February 12–22. Photo courtesy of the South America Northwest Area.

Members leave a Quito Ecuador Stake conference where Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke during an assignment to Ecuador and Peru February 12–22. Photo courtesy of the South America Northwest Area.

Local priesthood leaders in Quito, Ecuador, enjoy counsel and instruction from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. Photo courtesy of the South America Northwest Area.

Elder Holland is no stranger to South America. He and his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, lived in Santiago for two years (2002–2004) when he presided over the Chile Area. Other ecclesiastical assignments have taken them across the continent on numerous occasions.
“I love South America,” he told the Church News after he and Sister Holland returned from a 10-day trip (February 12–22) to Ecuador and Peru. “I love everything about it, and this trip reminded me of that again.”
The Apostle presided over two priesthood leadership conferences—one in Quito, Ecuador, and the other in Cusco, Peru—along with several other gatherings for missionaries, youth, young single adults, and other members.
“I left both Ecuador and Peru happy and satisfied with the growth of the Church—not only numerically, but also with the growing maturity of the leaders and the strength I saw in the youth.”
He was joined in Ecuador by Elder Hugo Montoya and in Peru by Elder Carlos A. Godoy. Elder Montoya and Elder Godoy are General Authority Seventies and counselors in the South America Northwest Area Presidency. The Brethren were accompanied by their wives, Sister Maria Montoya and Sister Monica Godoy.

The Quito Mission with Elder Holland in the middle. 

Waiting to meet Elder Holland

Shaking Elder Holland's hand.  Then we all went inside the chapel where he spoke to the missionaries for an hour.  He is a wonderful speaker and is very passionate about missionary work!!