While ministering in Central America, Sister Amy A. Wright, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, and Sister Michelle D. Craig, first counselor in the Young Women general presidency, provided encouragement and training — and shared the joy of serving in the work of the Lord.
In Cobán and Guatemala City, Guatemala, June 3-7, Sister Craig and Sister Wright held meetings for children, youth, and their parents and leaders. They also spoke to newly married members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Training for Primary and youth leaders
In the training for children and youth leaders, one of the themes was the importance and blessing that comes from instructing God’s children, as well as the need to strengthen their testimony in Jesus Christ, reported the Church’s Guatemala Newsroom.
Sister Craig invited Young Men and Young Women leaders to focus on four things.
- Live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- Take care of someone.
- Invite others to receive the gospel.
- Unite families for eternity.
When Sister Wright addressed the Primary leaders, she said, “Together we have a sacred responsibility to strengthen the faith of the rising generation of the Church, to help them stay on the covenant path.”
Sister Wright added that children, as early as age eight, have a covenant responsibility to help gather Israel. They are an important part of the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ set the example of how to best minister to children in 3 Nephi 17, when He invited them to “arise and come forth” and blessed the children one by one. Sister Wright invited the Primary leaders to create experiences through activities with the purpose of drawing the children closer to the Savior.
Devotionals for children and youth
Sister Wright met with Primary children ages 8 through 11 and their parents and leaders, while Sister Craig met with young men and young women ages 12 to 17 with their parents and leaders.
They spoke about following the example of Jesus Christ at all times and stages of their lives.
Sister Wright helped the children identify through music that feelings of love, peace, happiness and joy come from Heavenly Father. She invited the children to draw pictures of what they can do to accept the Prophet’s invitation to help gather Israel. Then, the children shared their feelings as they explained their drawings.
Both leaders invited parents to study the “For the Strength of Youth” guide with their children and use it as a reference as they continue on the covenant path.
Devotional for newly married couples
Elder Bryan K. Taylor, General Authority Seventy and president of the Central America Area, and his wife, Sister Jill Taylor, joined Sister Craig and Sister Wright at a devotional for newly married couples in Guatemala City on June 6.
More than 100 couples participated in the devotional in person or virtually, reported Guatemala Newsroom.
Sister Craig was accompanied by her husband, Brother E. Boyd Craig, and Sister Wright was accompanied by her husband, Brother James M. Wright. Sister Craig described the things she loves about her husband — including how he is a disciple of Christ. She said they use their differences to complement each other.
“There will be discouraging times, and some days that will be sad; there will be difficult conversations. That’s life, but we work, we pray, we serve, we love, we laugh, we forgive, we repent, we love and so we stick together,” said Sister Craig.
She gave suggestions to help the couples stay strong and united, including service, reaching out to others, accepting callings, paying tithing and making the temple a foundation in marriage.
Sister Wright explained that the definition of an eternal family begins with a husband and wife, drawing from the example of Adam and Eve. She spoke about unity in marriage and how unity must be founded upon the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
She invited the couples to unify their families by seeking inspired ways to connect with their partner and their children as they juggle the demands of work, family, and church responsibilities.
“There is nothing of greater importance than an eternal family,” she said.
Elder Taylor told the couples that the Church of Jesus Christ is centered in the home. He invited them to counsel together, be open to listening to advice and to be more sensitive to listening to the Spirit.
Sister Craig and Sister Wright also traveled to Honduras and El Salvador, where they held similar trainings and meetings.
