Mexico youth tour
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The Church's Young Men and Young Women general presidents visited six cities in Mexico this January, meeting with local youth leaders and addressing more than 10,000 teens.
"What we saw is what we were hoping for," said Sister Elaine S. Dalton. "These choice descendants of Lehi are blossoming like a rose, just like the scriptures say. They are rising and shining as never before."
Brother Charles W. Dahlquist II added the recent tour "was a great trip" marked by fellowship and training. The tour provided the general youth leaders an opportunity to remind the young people of Mexico that they are beloved children of God with a special purpose in life.
The trip marked the first time the Young Men General President and Young Women General President — with their spouses — have traveled together to train local leadership and meet with the youth.
The group visited Mexico City, Puebla, Veracruz, Villahermosa, Merida and Cancun, Mexico Jan. 9 through 18.
One of the highlights of the trip was hearing the enthusiasm of the youth who participated in the Nov. 16, 2008, rededication of the Mexico City Mexico Temple and the cultural celebration held the evening before the rededication, said Sister Dalton.
She spoke to many youth during the trip. "Whenever I asked what their favorite thing that happened this past year was they would say, 'The dedication of the temple and the opportunity to be in the presence of President (Thomas S.) Monson.'"
During the temple open house, she continued, the youth had the privilege to go inside the temple. "That has strengthened their resolve to be worthy always to go inside a temple."
Brother Dahlquist said the lives of the young men and women in Mexico had been blessed by the construction of 11 temples in recent years.
"You can't live in an area with temples and not see the impact those temples have in the lives of the youth," he said.
Sister Dalton said they made the trip at the invitation of the Area Presidency, who has placed an emphasis on developing the youth as leaders.
"They will teach the youth how to plan and lead," she said. "The youth are so incredible."
Brother Dahlquist said he spoke to the young men about the importance of the Duty to God program. He challenged the Aaronic Priesthood holders to prepare now for full-time missions in their homeland and througout the world.
"We gave them the clear message that we need young men from Mexico serving missions," he said.
