‘A Gospel of Glad Tidings’: Elder Stevenson Joins Chilean Saints in Centennial Celebration 

As part of the 100^th anniversary celebration of the dedication of South America for the preaching of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a night of music, dance and remembrance was held in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke to 4,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and friends who were present in person, while more than 10,000 joined the celebration through a nationwide broadcast.

“It was stunning to see their hearts filled with happiness and joy, celebrating this event with all the other Chilean Saints in the whole country who were joining by broadcast. We were thrilled to see the pageantry, hear the music, and see the smiles on the faces of everyone, both watching as audience members and participating as cast and musicians,” said Elder Stevenson.

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“This is something that is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a gospel of glad tidings, a gospel that brings happiness and joy into the hearts of its members,” he said.

This night of joyful reflection gave those in attendance a chance to think about the thousands upon thousands of Latter-day Saints who have helped the Church grow for the past 100 years.

“I feel it’s an opportunity to commemorate a lot of sacrifices. An opportunity to celebrate that the Church is here and living, and many people can come to know and receive a testimony of Jesus Christ,” said Anne Sánchez, a local Latter-day Saint

“I’m very happy because Jesus Christ has placed His hand here in this country — and not only here, but throughout all of the Americas — and we’ve seen the growth that has come from that,” said Washington Calquin, a five-generation member of the Church.

This year marks 100 years since Elder Melvin J. Ballard, an Apostle of the Church, traveled to Argentina and offered a dedicatory prayer for the preaching of the gospel in South America on Christmas Day, December 25, 1925, and asked God to open the hearts of people in South America to be receptive to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Before leaving Argentina, Ballard predicted that the Church would initially grow “just as an oak grows slowly from an acorn.” But, he promised, the day would come when “thousands would join the Church here.” There are currently over four million members of the Church of Jesus Christ in South America.

This celebration focused on Church history and growth in Chile, while upcoming celebrations throughout the rest of the year will be held in other countries and focus on their respective histories.

Omner Pratt Gravesite Visit

In 1851, Elder Parley P. Pratt, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Pheobe, arrived in Chile as the first missionaries of the Church in South America.

Only a few days after arrival, Pheobe gave birth to their son, Omner, who, 38 days later passed away. The Pratts would soon leave Chile and return to Utah after political unrest and a language barrier prevented missionary work from continuing.

Elder Stevenson and his wife, Lesa, visited the cemetery site where Omner Pratt is buried and were able to see the registry book where Omner’s name is written, recording his death.

“We were able to visit a sacred place, the place where young Omner was buried, which brought a waterfall of emotions to us thinking about the sacrifice that was made by them and by many, many other pioneer members of the Church in South America and throughout the world that have given so much,” said Elder Stevenson.

Elder Stevenson thanked the cemetery caretaker for their willingness to allow the Church to honor Omner’s death with a plaque after an earthquake destroyed the headstone.

Government Meeting at “End of the World”

Before ministering in Chile, Elder Stevenson and Elder Joaquin Costa, South America South Area President, traveled to Ushuaia, Argentina. Located on the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the southernmost tip of South America, the city is nicknamed the “End of the World.”

Elder Stevenson met with the mayor of Ushuaia, Walter Vuoto, and shared his testimony of Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

He also met with members at a devotional where he and his wife, Lesa, encouraged Latter-day Saints to strengthen their families and make their homes places where the gospel of Jesus Christ is taught.