President Nelson Speaks To 2,600 Missionaries During Tour

AUKLAND, New Zealand — It was a morning of joy and inspiration for thousands of missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Islands as they heard from their prophet Russell M. Nelson.

The one-hour devotional was broadcast from Auckland, New Zealand where the 94 year old leader personally shook hands with hundreds of missionaries from two different missions and those in the New Zealand Missionary Training Center.

Happening now in Auckland New Zealand. Hundreds of Missionaries lined up waiting to see and hear from @NelsonRussellM @KSL5TV @ChurchNewsroom pic.twitter.com/fJHLhT5XQK

— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) May 20, 2019

The meeting was broadcast to 16 missions in the Pacific which includes more than 2600 missionaries.

President Nelson spoke along with his wife, Wendy, and Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the quorum of the twelve apostles, and his wife who is traveling with the Nelsons.

Happening now: @NelsonRussellM meeting about 400 missionaries in New Zealand @KSL5TV @ChurchNewsroom pic.twitter.com/afgVdemnwj

— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) May 20, 2019

“It’s a lot easier to go [on a mission] then it is to be [a missionary],” said President Nelson as he spoke to the missionaries about the importance of repentance.  “You focus on who the Lord wants you to become and to get there you need to repent every day. [Repentance] it’s a lifetime project. Practice it every day.”

The meeting is part of President Nelson’s nine-day, seven-country Pacific ministry that will include going to Tonga after New Zealand.

KSL’s Dan Rascon is in the Isles of the Sea and will continue to bring us updates as they happen.