Near the seaside city of Montevideo,
vigorous preparations were underway at
the Landia Complex for an event anticipated by thousands. Not far away in
Carrasco, the Risso's gathered in
preparation and anticipation of their
own in what would be a special day for
them. A culmination, 45 years in the
making. The Risso family is four
generations strong as members of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. A legacy beginning with first
generation members, 92-year old Bismarck Echeverria.
 
And 84-year old Anna Leah Risso who were baptized
in the early 1970s and have since served
and raised their families in the Church.
 
 
They were anticipating a visit from a prophet of God as part of President Russell M.
Nelson's ministry to the people of South
America. In a rare opportunity, their
children and their spouses and
grandchildren were able to spend
one-on-one time with President Nelson and his wife Wendy. The Nelson's warmly
greeted members of the Risso family from oldest to youngest and answered
questions before the start of the
devotional. "Wonderful to be with you."
How powerful it was to walk into a room
and see four generations of Latter-day
Saints from this country, and each one of them,
each generation greeting him with such
joy. From the three, four, five-year olds
to the matriarch and the patriarch.
President and Sister Nelson joined by
Elder Gary E. Stevenson of The Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Lesa,
and other Church leaders were greeted by
more than 4,000 Latter-day Saints
and their friends at the Landia Complex
and nearly 7,000 more watching
via broadcast and the internet. "Hundreds
and hundreds of faithful Latter-day
Saints transformed this tent into a chapel." President Nelson delighted the young
children in the congregation and those
viewing remotely by asking them to stand
and be recognized. "Here he is, a 94-year
old man who has the life experiences
that he has had, and every age down to
the children, who especially connect with
him." Earlier in the day, President Nelson
met with more than 330 missionaries from
two missions in Uruguay, including one
Elder who also goes by grandson. He,
along with his missionary companion, had
a dinner appointment with President and Sister Nelson.
A day in Montevideo, Uruguay, made special by a ministering prophet of God
to the world who reaches out
to the one.
 
 
