President Gordon B. Hinckley's visit to this nation on the 50th anniversary of its first mission begins a new era, according to local leaders.

Thousands of members and missionaries welcomed with reverence and great joy the first president of the Church to visit in nearly 20 years. His visit was the climax of a number of significant events that include celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first mission, creation of a new mission, and celebration of the Pioneer Sesquicentennial.He was interviewed by a television reporter while in Montevideo.

President Hinckley and his group were met in Uruguay by Elder John B. Dickson of the Seventy and president of the South America South Area, and his wife, Delores.

"His comments were extremely exciting," said Elder Dickson. "There is a new vigor and enthusiasm in Uruguay, and the prophet capped it. The work was going well, but now we are in a new era, and President Hinckley started it."

President Hinckley traveled to the Carrasco section of Montevideo on Aug. 9, where he spoke to about 250 missionaries of the Uruguay Montevideo and Uruguay Montevideo West missions.

He shook hands with several of them and chatted informally before beginning his discourse. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of ongoing support for newly baptized converts to ensure their activity in the Church.

After this meeting, he traveled to the Malvin section of Montevideo where 1,264 priesthood leaders were congregated.

President Hinckley offered powerful encouragement to the brethren to commit themselves to greater effort to retain in activity the new members of the Church.

"Ours is the responsibility as stake presidents, as bishops, as quorum presidents, as officers of the Church in whatever capacity, to care for those who come into the Church," he said. "Look after the convert. Save the convert and you will look after the future of the Church in this land. From this day forward, let us resolve to save the convert."

The following day, on Aug. 10, some 11,000 members gathered for regional conference in the Cilindro Municipal Stadium and heard the prophet. Providing music for the conference was a 600-voice choir, all dressed in white shirts or blouses.

In his remarks, President Hinckley encouraged parents to teach their children, as they are commanded to do.

"What shall we teach them?" he asked, and then offered guidance to parents in teaching of their children regarding the reality of our Father in Heaven, the story of Jesus, preparation for missionary service by the young men, living the Word of Wisdom, and paying of tithes.

President Hinckley also encouraged parents to teach their children to look forward to the ordinances of the House of the Lord. He then instructed parents to guide their children to "love their native land, to obey the laws, and to get all the education they can."

At the conclusion of the morning meeting, members waved with white handkerchiefs and stood in reverent and tearful silence as President Hinckley and his group left the stadium.