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In the Almanac

See 35 of the best photos from President Nelson’s Central and South America Ministry

5 Sept 2019, 12:00 p.m. MDT

Primary children stand and stretch at the direction of President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a Latin America Ministry Tour devotional in Bogota, Colombia on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. Credit: Ravell Call

By Spencer Williams

President Russell M. Nelson recently completed his visit to Central and South America. On his trip, the prophet stopped in five countries in nine days and ministered to thousands of individuals and families. He also spoke at six devotionals, gave advice on how to teach the Book of Mormon, witnessed miracles and even met Colombian President Iván Duque.

Some stories need very few words and are best told through photos. Here are 35 impactful photos from President Nelson’s ministry.

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, wave to attendees after a devotional in São Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, wave to attendees after a devotional in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

Juan Carlos Loza meets President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after Latter-day Saint Charities donated a wheelchair to him at the Villa Urquiza Ward in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. — Juan Carlos Loza meets President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after Latter-day Saint Charities donated a wheelchair to him at the Villa Urquiza Ward in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson and his wife, Sister Wendy W. Nelson, arrive for a Latin America ministry devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson arrive for a Latin America Ministry devotional in Quito, Ecuador on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints kisses his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, after she speaks in a Latin America Ministry devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints kisses his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, after she speaks in a Latin America Ministry devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, meet with youth in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. — Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, meet with youth in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke during a devotional in Quito, Ecuador on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke during a devotional in Quito, Ecuador on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, center, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, left, present gifts as they meet with Colombia President Iván Duque Márquez, right, in Bogota, Colombia, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, center, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, left, present gifts as they meet with Colombia President Iván Duque Márquez, right, in Bogota, Colombia, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. | Credit: Courtesy Colombian presidential office

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson greet attendees during a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife Sister Wendy Nelson greet attendees during a devotional at Movistar Arena in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

Attendees gather to listen to President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speak during a devotional at Estadio Cementos Progreso stadium in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. — Attendees gather to listen to President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speak during a devotional at Estadio Cementos Progreso stadium in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with Archbishop Henry Marie Denis Thevenin prior to a devotional in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with Archbishop Henry Marie Denis Thevenin prior to a devotional in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is given a khata by Olga Lucia Sierra with the Tiberian Budism of Columbia in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is given a khata by Olga Lucia Sierra with the Tiberian Budism of Columbia in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

Sister Wendy Nelson hugs Karol Vega after she and President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meet with youth in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. — Sister Wendy Nelson hugs Karol Vega after she and President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meet with youth in Bogota, Colombia, on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with youth prior to a devotional in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with youth prior to a devotional in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, greet youth prior to a devotional in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, greet youth prior to a devotional in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, listen as children sing to them during a devotional in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, listen as children sing to them during a devotional in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

A cemetery in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24 in Guatemala City. — A cemetery in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24 in Guatemala City. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

A man sells coconuts in San Cruz, Guatemala, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24 in Guatemala City. — A man sells coconuts in San Cruz, Guatemala, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24 in Guatemala City. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, pose near the Sao Paulo Brazil Temple in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 31, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, pose near the Sao Paulo Brazil Temple in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 31, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Sister Josilane Silva smiles while waiting for President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a missionary meeting in Brasilia, Brazil on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. — Sister Josilane Silva smiles while waiting for President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a missionary meeting in Brasilia, Brazil on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, listen to the choir during a devotional in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, listen to the choir during a devotional in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, center, during an interview in Bogota, Colombia, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. At left is Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. At right is Elder Enrique R. Falabella, General Authority Seventy. They previously met with President Ivan Duque of Colombia. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, center, during an interview in Bogota, Colombia, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. At left is Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. At right is Elder Enrique R. Falabella, General Authority Seventy. They previously met with President Ivan Duque of Colombia. | Credit: Ravell Call

Sister Wendy Nelson speaks during a devotional in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. — Sister Wendy Nelson speaks during a devotional in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, greet attendees prior to a devotional in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, greet attendees prior to a devotional in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helps Isabela Castellano as she directs a song at the end of a Latin America Ministry devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helps Isabela Castellano as she directs a song at the end of a Latin America Ministry devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, enter the General Rumiñahui Coliseo arena for a devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, enter the General Rumiñahui Coliseo arena for a devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

A butterfly lands on a flower near Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24, in Guatemala City. — A butterfly lands on a flower near Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24, in Guatemala City. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Motorists drive through the high mountain fields in Guatemala on Monday, Aug. 17, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24, in Guatemala City. — Motorists drive through the high mountain fields in Guatemala on Monday, Aug. 17, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24, in Guatemala City. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The sun sets on Mayan temple I in Tikal, Guatemala, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24. — The sun sets on Mayan temple I in Tikal, Guatemala, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The Guatemala City Guatemala Temple in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional in Guatemala City. — The Guatemala City Guatemala Temple in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional in Guatemala City. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred

Guatemala City Guatemala Temple — The Guatemala City Guatemala Temple in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional in Guatemala City. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, right, along with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary G. Cook, say goodbye at the end of a Latin America Ministry Tour devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. — President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, right, along with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Sister Mary G. Cook, say goodbye at the end of a Latin America Ministry devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. | Credit: Ravell Call, Deseret News

Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, leave the stand after a devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. — Elder Quentin L. Cook, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife, Sister Mary Cook, leave the stand after a devotional in Quito, Ecuador, on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

A black howler monkey eats in Tikal, Guatemala, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24. — A black howler monkey eats in Tikal, Guatemala, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional in Guatemala City on Saturday, Aug. 24. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

A hummingbird flies near Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24, in Guatemala City. — A hummingbird flies near Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke in a devotional on Saturday, Aug. 24, in Guatemala City. | Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News