Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LIMA, Peru — “Now, I’d like to speak to you from my heart in a language not my own. Con su permiso, quisiera hablar en español.”
As President Russell M. Nelson uttered those first few words in Spanish, surprised faces in the congregation glanced up from their notebooks. The surprise turned to smiles, then laughter and, finally, applause.
President Nelson, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed members of the church during a broadcast conference in Lima, Peru, Saturday where he surprised the audience by dismissing his translator and speaking to them in their native language for about 15 minutes.
His counsel was simple: Keep the commandments of God and teach your children and one another about Jesus Christ — all delivered in slow, but meticulous Spanish.
“Everyone was surprised. I don’t think anyone imagined that he would speak in Spanish,” a young woman attending the event said in a video produced by Church News. “It was something very special like, 'Wow! The prophet speaks our language!'”
Members of the church believe President Nelson has been chosen by God to lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that he receives revelation or guidance from God. For those in South America, where church membership has grown exponentially over the last several decades, the opportunity to see a prophet is a rare and coveted experience.
“I don’t know how to express it with words. I never thought I would have this privilege. I know that he is a prophet of God. I feel a lot of joy,” Yubella Málaga told church newsroom reporters after the conference.
And many were impressed with President Nelson’s pronunciation.
“He did his best to pronounce every word correctly,” a young man told Church News after the event. “I said to myself, 'He’s doing so well!' I didn’t miss a word he said.”
President Nelson left a blessing with the congregation and continued in Spanish.
“As you feast upon the words of Jesus Christ and apply his teachings to your daily lives … you will prosper in the land, and you will have joy in your posterity,” he said in Spanish.
One young woman in the congregation who said she had no idea he spoke the language had just one word for the experience.
“Increíble.”
President Nelson’s visit to Peru isn’t the first time he’s spoken Spanish during a public address. In early September, he delivered a historic message to members of the church in the Dominican Republic in what is thought to be the first time a church president has delivered an extended message in a language other than English, according to Church News.
“It was wonderful listening to the prophet in our language,” Santo Domingo resident Michel Acosta told Church News after President Nelson's address in the Dominican Republic. “I felt such happiness. ... I’ll never forget it.”
President Nelson's visit to Peru is the first stop in a tour of five South American countries, including Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile. In Chile, he will dedicate a new temple — a place where Latter-day Saints believe they can make sacred promises with God.
