"Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, ...
deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with
all your might, mind and strength, ...
that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ."
I know that the plan of happiness can lift and bless
those who live it anywhere.
On Christmas Eve 37 years ago, in the light of a full moon, I
climbed a small hill in the isolated
village of Quiriza, Bolivia.
Four young elders and I had spent the day crossing over a
mountain pass on a treacherous road.
Then we struggled up a riverbed to see if the
teachings of the Savior would help a destitute people.
What we saw that day was discouraging--undernourished
children, adults subsisting on meager crops, some with eyes
glazed from seeking refuge with alcohol and drugs.
I looked at the tiny, barren village below: a cluster of
adobe thatched-roof houses beaten by the harsh
environment.
There was no electricity, telephone, running water,
roads, proper sanitation, nor doctors there.
It seemed so hopeless.
Yet a solemn prayer confirmed that we should be there.
We found a humble people who embraced the restored gospel
with determination to live it.
They did that under harsh conditions where severe
poverty, alcohol, drugs, witchcraft, and immorality
were in plentiful supply.
Under the guidance of exceptional missionaries, the
people learned to work hard to cultivate the fields.
They produced a harvest of nutritious vegetables and
raised rabbits for better protein.
But the best lessons came from beloved missionaries who
taught them of a God who love them, of a Savior who gave His
life that they might succeed.
Their physical appearance began to change.
The light of truth radiated from their happy faces.
As devoted, loving emissaries of the Lord, missionaries
patiently taught truth to a willing people.
Wives and husbands learned how to live in harmony, teach
truth to their children, pray, and sense
guidance of the Spirit.
The youth learned most quickly.
They became obedient to the light of truth taught by the
missionaries and in time by their own parents.
Through their faith and obedience,
I have seen how in one generation youth baptized in
that village have overcome a seemingly hopeless future.
Some have been missionaries, graduated from universities,
and been sealed in the temple.
Through their diligence and obedience, they have found
purpose and success in life despite an early harsh
physical and evil-saturated environment.
If it can be done in Quiriza, Bolivia,
it can be done anywhere.