South American tour emphasizes gospel teaching, learning
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David L. Beck will tell you he's a lucky man. The Young Men general president has enjoyed a front-line view of Church history being fulfilled in South America.
Almost a century ago, Elder Melvin J. Ballard dedicated South America for missionary work, prophesying that the continent would become a power in the Church."
In 1966, young David Beck was living with his family in San Paulo, Brazil, where his father, Wayne Beck, was serving as a mission president.
The family spent a week hosting Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve, who had traveled to San Paulo to organize the first stake in South America. Brother Beck would later serve a full-time mission to Brazil and become a mission president there himself.
He recently toured several countries in northwestern South America on a Young Men assignment. There he met with local priesthood leaders, youth and other members belonging to scores of stakes in the area. He was inspired to witness further evidence of Elder Ballard's prophecy being fulfilled.
"It's amazing to see the strength of the Church in South America," he said.
Brother Beck was joined for much of his recent travels by his counterpart in the general Sunday School presidency, Brother Russell T. Osguthorpe. They were accompanied by their wives, Sister Robyn Beck and Sister Lola Osguthorpe. Their two-week South American tour included visits to stakes in Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.
The experience, said Brother Osguthorpe, "was unforgettably fabulous."
At each stop, the leaders conducted separate focus groups for ward leaders, stake leaders and with the local youth. There was also an evening fireside in Lima, Peru, for youth and their leaders and parents that was broadcast to meetinghouses throughout northwest South America. The fireside was highlighted by a local Young Men choir and a video clip of a missionary-themed message from President Thomas S. Monson.
In all, thousands of members participated in instruction, counsel and gospel learning with the visiting priesthood and auxiliary leaders.
Brother Osguthorpe said the purpose of the tour was to help members in the area improve teaching and learning. He was encouraged by the South American members' enthusiasm for gospel education. "The people were hungry to learn."
At each stop, Brother Beck and Brother Osguthorpe inquired about the challenges facing local members in their respective nations. Most of the youth in the region deal with religious isolation. Many are the only members of the Church in their schools, so the need for Church-sponsored activities and well-organized seminary programs is essential.
"They are immersed in an environment that does not always support our values," said Brother Beck.
Other challenges, he added, such as pornography and other technology-driven dangers, are no different than those found in any other ward or stake in the Church. "I think the adversary has a [global] game plan that he's following."
In each meeting, the Young Men general president emphasized the important role that the revised Duty to God program can have in the lives of each young man and his Aaronic Priesthood quorum. The solution to most gospel challenges, added Brother Osguthorpe, can usually be found through inspired teaching and learning. Focus groups emphasized the principle of improvement via effective learning of gospel doctrines.
Both men were impressed by the faithfulness and preparation of the priesthood, youth leaders and the young men and women of northwest South America.
"We found tremendous commitment and tremendous understanding," said Brother Osguthorpe.
