Apostle Visits New Zealand, Shares '10 Things I Know to be True'

Last Friday [14 February] over 1,000 Latter-day Saint youth and young adults and their leaders began gathering more than two hours prior to the scheduled start of a special devotional held in the Church’s Muir Park Chapel in Hamilton.  

Despite the fact that it was Valentine’s Day, the building overflowed with young people, anxious to see and hear from Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who is visiting New Zealand.

Elder Nelson was accompanied by his wife, Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, Pacific Area President of the Church, Elder James J. Hamula, and Sister Joyce Hamula.

“I may not get here again,” he said.  “So, I want to share the 10 things I know to be true.”

1.      That God lives
2.      That Jesus is the Christ
3.      That God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith
4.      That The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true
5.      That the Priesthood of God has been restored
6.      That the Church is led by prophets
7.      That Satan is real
8.      That the youth of Zion is a chosen generation
9.      That joy comes from keeping the commandments
10.  And that the choice is yours.

The Heke brothers were among those who had arrived early in order to get a good seat.  They sat quietly in a row with their notebooks ready.  Jonathon Heke, 15, said he wanted to attend the meeting to feel the spirit brought by Elder Nelson.  His bishop had encouraged him to come that night, promising him it would be a good experience. Tyryn, 14, was excited to hear the message that an apostle would bring.  His brother Lamayne, 17, acknowledged that it was the first time any of them had been in the presence of an apostle, and he felt being there first-hand was an awesome opportunity for him and his family.

Young adults Scarlet Sharland and Melodie Frew were not at all disappointed to be giving up Valentine’s Day activities in favour of coming to the meeting.  “It’s not every day you get to hear Elder Russell M. Nelson speak,” they said.  “Seeing him will make this day far more meaningful.”

Elder Nelson’s party was a little late arriving at the stake centre.  Local Latter-day Saint John Higgins, who was driving Elder and Sister Nelson, relayed how as they approached the stake building, the apostle asked him how far away Temple View was. Brother Higgins replied that it was only about five miles.  Elder Nelson then asked him to take a quick drive out there so he could see the Hamilton New Zealand Temple.  After they had circled the temple once, Elder Nelson seemed to be satisfied.  He said to Brother Higgins, “I have my bearings now, we can go back to the stake centre.”

As Elder and Sister Nelson, Elder and Sister Hamula, and Elder and Sister Thomson entered the Muir Park Stake Centre, the large congregation hushed.  Under the direction of Grace Whaanga, a 100 voice youth choir sang, “We will stand in Holy places.”  

The arriving party was visibly moved by the choir’s stirring rendition and Sister Hamula later said the choir members sounded like angels.  She said they reminded her of what an exciting time it is to be a member of the Church; particularly for young people who can participate fully in the work of the Lord.

Later, Elder Hamula encouraged the youth and young adults to act and to be engaged in the great and momentous work of the Church that was unfolding around them.  He reminded them that because of their unique familiarity with new and developing technology, one of the important works they should give priority to is family history and temple work.

Sister and Elder Nelson both referenced the choir again when they spoke, with Elder Nelson saying they “had come 7,106 miles to hear them sing, and it was worth it.”

The overflowing congregation of primarily youth and young adults were utterly still as Elder Nelson then delivered an apostolic blessing upon those in attendance at the devotional.

Two days later, speaking at the Church’s Muir Park Stake Centre during the Hamilton New Zealand Glenview Stake Conference, Elder Nelson shared with the congregation his history with the Church in New Zealand over the years, having come as former Church president Spencer W. Kimball’s physician in 1976, and then multiple times since.   

As the conference began, a youth choir welcomed Elder and Sister Nelson, Elder and Sister Thomson, and President and Sister Rudd (New Zealand Hamilton Mission), by singing “I’m a miracle Lord.”  

When he spoke, Elder Nelson mentioned that the song, “I’m a miracle Lord,” reminded him of the new baby that had been born into his family the day before.  He then requested that all the young children in the congregation stand so he could see them.  “Wave your arms like spaghetti,” he asked, “so I can see you better.”  

He told parents and teachers to make every effort to teach their youth and little ones that they were truly miracles. He told them to teach their children about prayer, to help them understand about the importance of prophets and the restoration of the priesthood.  Elder Nelson also asked that parents and teachers teach the youth about the law of tithing, about the Word of Wisdom (Latter-day Saint health code) and the importance of education.  Finally he asked them to teach the children to be good citizens.

At the close of the conference as Elder Nelson and his party moved from the stand, the youth choir sang one last time.  The Nelsons greeted many, paying special attention to the children.

Inside, Martelle Christy spoke of her gratitude for the words of Elder Nelson.  She felt that the things he said had helped her as a wife, a mother and a daughter.  Additionally, two of her children had participated in the youth choir and she was grateful that the experience had strengthened their faith in Christ.

Two sister missionaries, Sister Rogers and Sister Harmon, were full of smiles at the end of the conference.  Like many in the congregation, they had come seeking messages from an apostle of the Lord and they had found comfort in the instruction they had received.