Devotion to the gospel is practiced daily by the members of the Natalio 10 Branch, 72 miles north of the city of Encarnacion in the department (state) of Itapua here.

The branch is an hour's walk from the nearest main road, remote from district and mission leadership, but that hasn't hindered the spiritual growth of the membership, said Paraguay Asuncion Mission Pres. Richard J. Russell.Natalio 10 Branch is in a rural farming district, and is made up of the Fausto Torrales family and neighbors they have baptized - about 30 members who meet faithfully each week, largely without outside supervision. Missionaries report that services there are among the most spiritual they have ever experienced.

The Torrales family "are true pioneers of the gospel here," said Pres. Russell. "The devotion of this man and every member of his wonderful family is most notable. All members of the family are wonderful missionaries, not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, always talking about the Church to others, and inviting them to the Sunday services at their home some three miles from the hamlet."

Pres. Russell said that the last time he talked with Brother Torrales, "he chased me down (he was on foot and I was in a car) to give me their tithing they had saved over the past three months."

The Torrales family joined the Church in 1981. They learned of the Church while visiting in Encarnacion, the nearest large city. A year later missionaries visited and baptized Fausto and his wife, Felicita, and their children Blanca, Teresa, Maria Zulma, and Francisco. Teresa has since served a full-time mission, and Francisco is now on a mission.

After the Torrales family's baptism, they received the standard works - Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price - from the missionaries. Then, because of the remoteness of their location and because the meeting place of the branch in Encarcacion was moved, the Torrales family lost contact with the Church. Two years later contact was re-established. In the meantime, the family had focused their study entirely on the standard works.

In 1985 the Natalio 10 Branch was organized under the direction of then-mission Pres. John Whetton. Brother Torrales was called as president and two neighbors were called as his counselors. Missionaries began visiting alternate Sundays to deliver Church supplies and correspondence from Church leaders.

One of the missionaries was Elder Lee J. Workman, who described the trip:

"After a two-hour bus trip . . . we started down the red clay road that led us around the rolling hills checkered with fields. Finally as we came through the trees, where the road dropped into the valley where the Torrales live, we were met by a member who took us to a stream. There the members were holding a baptismal service for a 19-year-old man.

"The meeting was reverent; even the children stood quiet. The convert, Jorge Daniel, bore strong witness that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the only true Church and that the Book of Mormon was the Word of God. He radiated such a strong and peaceful spirit.

" [After the serviceT, we then went back to the house and gathered around the pulpit on the front porch. Sacrament meeting commenced. I sat and participated in one of the most spiritual sacrament meetings of my life. The branch president presided with such a humble heart and each member participated with such obedience and love. I felt a feeling of unity and brotherly love.

"Afterwards, my companion and I didn't even have time to stand before they had us teaching one of their new investigators."

Another missionary, Elder Philip Penrose, was also impressed by a baptismal service in Natalio 10 Branch.

"In a grove, beside a river, very far from a city and in a place known only to God and us, a group of His chosen sons performed a very sacred ordinance on earth. I know it was recorded in heaven.

"One sister prayed for the health of President Ezra Taft Benson, and that he might know of our love for him. She prayed to Heavenly Father about the love they have for the Savior. As I listened, and felt of this prayer, my testimony was nourished. I felt these people had brought a little bit of heaven down to earth."