San Antonio, Texas. Home to the legendary Alamo, a 300-year old former Spanish
mission turned fortress and the Riverwalk, a world famous urban waterway.
At the heart of it all is the Alamo dome which for one night was transformed to
welcome a prophet of God. Crowds gathered hours in advance some traveling several
hours to hear from President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, his wife Wendy, and Elder David A. Bednar and his wife Susan,
at a special devotional. Before the devotional, the president met with youth
to give personal counsel and answer questions. "How can you strengthen your
prayers? You picked the right word. How do you strengthen anything? Working on it."
"My question was about, it was more personal, about my family and my friends
and how I've watched them kind of distance themselves from the faith.
It was more joyful that the prophet could give me advice on such a small
thing in my life." Ninety-four year old President Nelson also had a private meeting with
Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of the Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio. He
welcomed political, community and interfaith leaders at a special
reception. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has really stepped up
in my community and offered themselves to play such an important role in
activities that are going on in our area. I just felt a heartfelt obligation to be
here and share with them this very special moment." "When you understand
someone else's faith, I think it enables all of us to get
along and see the similarities rather than differences." "And, if we don't love
and care for each other and have compassion for each other then we don't
elevate those around us." The strength of San Antonio is its
diverse community which numbered over 23,000 for this historic devotional
which was also broadcast to meetinghouses in the area. "Each person here
tonight, in fact, everyone lives with challenges. Even that great defender of
the Alamo, Davy Crockett, had his challenges. And if we truly understand
who we are and why we are here we can face the future with faith in God
and His eternal plan of happiness."
"The overall feeling that I had being here at this devotional was just really
joy and happiness and gratitude."