'I never cease to be amazed by the growth'
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Like many lifelong members in Mexico, Elder Benjamin De Hoyos has experienced the Church from two dramatically different angles.
A third-generation Mormon, Elder De Hoyos grew up in Monterrey in the 1950s when the Church was still young in Mexico. His branch met in a typical "casa de oracion" — a small home rented out for Sunday services. Mutual activities were well attended and always seemed to attract folks who did not belong to the Church.
The first Spanish-speaking stake in Mexico was still a few years away. Temples existed only in photos and across borders. And any notion that a million members would one day be living inside Mexico would have been relegated to dreams.
Today, as an Area Authority Seventy and a counselor in the Mexico South Area presidency, Elder De Hoyos is called upon to divide over-populated stakes. He might tour through any of the nine missions operating in southern Mexico. The six temple presidents working within the area may call upon him for counsel. He has watched the Church in Mexico over the past half century, observing and contributing to its movement.
"But I never cease to be amazed by the growth of the Church in Mexico," he admits.
Ask faithful Mexican Church members to share their feelings about reaching the million-member mark in their country. Their answers may include an understandable measure of joy — and also the humbling realization that historic growth is accompanied by historic responsibility.
Gone forever are the days of comfortable obscurity.
"A million members signals the Church is becoming an important religion in Mexico," said Cesar Agustin Caballero, bishop of the Infonavit Atasta Ward, Villahermosa Mexico Stake. "Part of our success has come because people have been disappointed in other churches. There are a lot of people observing us. Watching what we do."
The million-member mark may represent a single unit, but the Mexican members are a multi-faceted lot. Many, like Elder De Hoyos, grew up in the Church and learned the gospel from their parents or grandparents. Their children and grandchildren are fourth- and fifth-generation members.
Bishop Caballero represents the countless LDS Mexicans who read their first Book of Mormon passages at the invitation of full-time missionaries.
Many Mexican members are faithful and active, fulfilling Church callings while regularly filling a session seat in one of Mexico's dozen temples. Others rarely attend. Most members are Spanish-speaking, ethnic-Mexicans. But a few are Anglos, call the Mormon colonies in northern Mexico home and speak English in their homes.
"(The Church in) Mexico is progressing, and we are happy" said Bishop Juan Manuel Castillo, Monumental Ward, Guadalajara Mexico Independencia Stake.
"But we have a lot to do still, such as bringing back our less-active members. Member retention is a big responsibility for us now."
Bishop Castillo — a convert himself — believes membership growth has led to temple building, which improves people and invites others to join the faith. "The building of temples makes us feel more committed to keep going. The temples help us spiritually progress, but there is still so much to do."
The growth also allows Mexican members to enjoy myriad Church opportunities, he added.
"People are attending the temple constantly," Bishop Castillo added. "Each Saturday, buses arrive filled with members who live a couple of hours away. We are also doing a lot of family history and taking advantage of the Church programs such as seminary and institute."
"The Church is realizing success because people see we are different," added Maria Garcia de Caballero, a coordinator at the Villahermosa Mexico Temple. "Families are very important to us and I think that attracts people."
Continued Church growth, said President Jesus Antonio Madera of the Zacatecas Mexico Stake is dependent upon continued missionary work. He and his fellow leaders in Zacatecas have labored to develop a steady wave of missionaries from the stake.
"The Church's future in Mexico is promising," President Madera said. "People of goodwill will continue to accept the gospel."
Reaching a million members will forever remain a prominent milestone in Mexico's Church history. But Bishop Castillo is certain the seven-figure mark will one day be a singular passage in a long list of notable historical moments.
The million mark, he said. "is nothing compared to what we are going to see in Mexico."
E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com
