We welcomed Elder and Hermana Valenzuela to a special Leadership Council in the mission on May 9, 2014. Elder Valenzuela, who will shortly be released as Second Counselor and assigned as First Counselor to the Mexico Area Presidency, reviewed Helaman, Chapters 3 and 5. He reviewed how the Lord laid the groundwork for the Church to prosper as recounted in those chapters, resulting in the conversion and baptism of 8,000 people. He encouraged the mission leaders to strengthen the faith of the missionaries so that each would share the Lord's vision of bringing souls to Christ. He reminded the leaders of the missionary objective, and encouraged greater focus on blessing lives through the ordinance of baptism, and encouraged each missionary to raise his or her vision and to strive to baptize weekly.
He inspired us all when he recalled a visit to Mexico City by President Henry B. Eyring and President Eyring's comment upon deplaning that he was then "standing on Holy Ground". Finally, Elder Valenzuela left a blessing on the Chalco Mission, calling down blessings on the missionaries here, on their leaders, on their investigators, on the members, and on all of God's children who live within the mission boundaries, that hearts would be softened, faith and testimonies strengthened, and the work move forward in this part of the vineyard. it was a powerful moment for each of the missionaries in attendance.
Following Elder Valenzuela's visit, President Crickmore and the mission's assistants, Elders Perez and Pereyra, toured the mission in special Zone Conferences, sharing Elder Valenzuela's message and vision. It was obvious in those meetings that the message resonated with and motivated every missionary.
