Church leaders emphasize education during Latin America devotional
MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Amid perilous times, those who prepare for the future can look forward without fear, said leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a historic devotional broadcast throughout Latin America on Sunday, Sept. 17.
“You can be successful in an uncertain world if you build your life upon the rock of Jesus Christ,” said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the executive committee of the Church Board of Education.
Joined by Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson, Elder Christofferson addressed the importance of education and making it available to Latter-day Saints around the globe through BYU–Pathway Worldwide.
Education has always been a fundamental belief of the gospel of Jesus Christ, he said, noting that President Russell M. Nelson has called education a “religious responsibility.”
The devotional, broadcast from Mexico City — a city with significant Latter-day Saint educational roots — was for anyone who has an interest in education, added Elder Rasband.
In 2009, BYU–Idaho launched Pathway, with the university focusing its first international effort in Mexico City in 2011. In 2017, the First Presidency expanded the reach and influence of Pathway with the creation of BYU–Pathway Worldwide. Today, from those small beginnings in Mexico City, BYU–Pathway Worldwide serves more than 61,000 students annually from more than 180 countries. Students improve their English skills, and certificates and degrees are offered in partnership with BYU–Idaho and Ensign College.
Students participate in a Spanish-language devotional of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, originating in Mexico City, Mexico, and broadcast throughout Latin America on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Patricia Frandsen, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Mexico City is “where we learned how to make things work, how to provide the opportunities that only BYU–Pathway is able to provide to thousands — and in due course, I think, millions,” said Elder Christofferson. “It makes a huge difference in the lives of individuals and families.”
