In prayers invoking blessings upon the smallest and the largest countries in Central America, Elder Russell M. Nelson and Elder Richard G. Scott of the Council of the Twelve dedicated El Salvador and Nicaragua, respectively, April 7 and April 9.

While the Church has had a long-time presence in both nations, neither had been dedicated individually. In El Salvador, there are 22,050 members in eight stakes. Nicaragua has 6,170 members in six mission districts."The dedicatory services provide an opportunity for obedient, righteous members acting as a leaven in the nations to bring blessings to the people and their lands," said Elder Scott in a Church News interview.

Elder Nelson and Elder Scott dedicated the two countries under direction of President Ezra Taft Benson, and his counselors, President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson.

In some areas, such as in El Salvador's capital city, San Salvador, the Church is well established. Growth of the Church has been sufficient to warrant the creation of a second mission, the El Salvador San Salvador East Mission, which will open in July.

While in El Salvador, the General Authorities simultaneously created two new stakes April 8. Elder Nelson divided the San Salvador El Salvador Ilopango Stake to create the new San Salvador El Salvador Soyopango Stake. Elder Scott created the San Salvador El Salvador Los Heroes Stake from portions of three existing stakes: the San Salvador and San Salvador Cuzcatal stakes and the Santa Ana El Salvador Molino Stake.

El Salvador

In El Salvador, the smallest country in Central America and the smallest mainland country in the Western Hemisphere, Elder Nelson, Elder Scott and 39 local members and leaders gathered April 7 in a home on a hill overlooking the capital city of San Salvador. The dedicatory prayer, offered by Elder Nelson, was delivered on the balcony of the home.

In the prayer, Elder Nelson noted that the dedication was taking place in April, a month in which "many significant events in the history of the onrolling of thy work" has taken place.

"Thy Son was born into mortality in the springtime of the year," Elder Nelson said in the prayer. "Thy Prophet Joseph Smith received that great first vision from thee and from thy Son about this time of the year. On April 3, 1836, thy Son accepted the first temple built in this dispensation. . . . April means `to open' - so significant events have occurred to open new vistas and new chapters in the history of thy work upon the earth."

In the prayer, Elder Nelson continued, "This nation is rich with the blood of Israel. Wilt thou bless the missionaries to seek the honest in heart, thine elect who are hungry, and are thirsting for thy word. . . .

"Wilt thou bless this nation that it may prosper, and that the people may be able to live the commandments that thou hast given, which will enable them to have prosperity and happiness in this life and in the life to come. Wilt thou bless their flocks and their herds, that they may grow and multiply upon the fields and upon the hills. Wilt thou bless the trees that bear fruit, the ground that bears vegetation and the sustaining powers of life. Wilt thou bless this land so symbolically named for thy Beloved Son, El Salvador, `The Savior.' As He learned obedience by the things that He suffered, so may this land of `The Savior' learn by the things it has suffered."

Nicaragua

In Central America's largest country, Nicaragua, the dedicatory prayer April 9 was offered in Spanish by Elder Scott near the capital city of Managua. Elder Scott, Elder Nelson and 26 local members gathered about 500 feet from the southeast lip of a dormant crater in Masaya Volcano National Park, about 18 miles southeast of the city of Managua.

Elder Nelson delivered a preliminary message in Spanish. "This is one of the most important occasions in the history of the Church in Nicaragua," he said. "My message is very important, and it can be expressed in three words, `Keep the commandments.' When we live the commandments, we find joy and happiness. I also know that sadness and pain come if we do not obey the commandments."

In the prayer, Elder Scott said, "We dedicate Nicaragua to the preaching of the gospel, the building up of the Church and the preaching of the pure doctrines of the Restoration for the establishment of Zion, so that the saving ordinances are available to the righteous of this country. We dedicate this land so that at the appropriate time all of the promises that have been declared by thy holy prophets through the ages by thy Son's command may be realized in this nation.

"We bless this land for the preaching of the gospel, so that thy sons and daughters who live here, and those who shall live here, who are pure of heart and desire to know the truth can find it."

The prayer continued with a promise that those present and others would "dedicate our lives to the establishment of thy kingdom through our obedience, our sincere desires and our humble hearts."