Elder Rasband offers counsel, blessing to quakeweary Ecuadorians

By Jason Swensen , LDS Church News

Published: Thursday, June 23 2016 1:00 p.m. MDT

Elder Ronald A. Rasband and Sister Melanie Rasband, stand at the pulpit, offer words of counsel and love to members in Portoviejo,
Ecuador. The area was severely impacted by a deadly earthquake last April (Courtesy of South America Northwest Area)

In the days leading up to his recent trip to northwestern South America, Elder Ronald A.
Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles experienced a powerful prompting.
Elder Rasband felt strongly that he should visit the Latter-day Saints in western Ecuador
whose lives were forever changed on April 16 by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that killed
hundreds and injured tens of thousands.
He was told such a visit was impossible. Elder Rasband would be on a tight schedule
during his June 313 tour of Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. Additionally, there were
questions about the road conditions leading to the quake-impacted cities of Portoviejo and
Manta.
Still, I felt like we somehow needed to get to those areas, he told the Church News.

His determination would be rewarded. On June 13 the final day of his 10-day trip
Elder Rasband and his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband, traveled to Portoviejo and, a short
time later, to Manta.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, standing at right, and Elder Juan A. Uceda, speak together at a youth devotional. Elder Rasband presided
over three devotionals that were broadcast across the nations of northwestern South America. (Courtesy of South America Northwest
Area)

It was one of the highlights of the trip, he said.

Elder Rasband expected a few local priesthood leaders and perhaps a few members to
attend the hastily organized gathering in Portoviejo. But when we arrived and went inside
the stake center the chapel was filled, he said. I was speechless. I could not believe it.
Seated on the front rows were members who had lost loved ones in the quake, along with
pioneers of the Church in the region. Elder Rasband shared a message of love from
President Thomas S. Monson. He also assured the quake-weary members that they were
not forgotten. He told them they were the subject of many prayers. He thanked them for
caring for one another.
And then, in one of the few times since his call to the Twelve last October, he bestowed an
apostolic blessing.

The Barranquilla Colombia Temple site. From left, Sister Melanie Rasband Elder Ronald A. Rasband Brother Cesar Davila,
Construction Supervisor Sister Miryann Davila (his wife) Sister Maria Uceda Elder Juan A. Uceda, South American Northwest Area
President (Photo courtesy of the South America Northwest Area)

It was as if my hands were on their heads, he said. All the words came to my mind at
that moment.
Before leaving, the Rasbands exchanged one-on-one greetings with all assembled.
I received more abrazos [hugs] than at any time in my life, said Elder Rasband with a
smile.
They then drove 30 minutes to Manta, where the local chapel was filled with hundreds.
Once again, they shook hands and exchanged hugs with all who came forward. Afterward,
they rushed back to Guayaquil to catch their flight home.
Elder Rasband marvels at how the initially unplanned trip to the quake areas came
together like clockwork. It was divinely orchestrated from A to Z, he said.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, standing at left, speaks with missionaries at a meeting of the Guayaquil North, South and West Missions.
(Photo courtesy of South America Northwest Area)

He was uplifted by the faith, courage and charitable actions of the members. We all had a
great sense that the Ecuadorian people were rallying to the cause and helping one
another.
Elder Rasband said the Lords hand could be traced throughout his trip. Elder and Sister
Rasband met with thousands of members of all ages both in person and via interactive
devotionals broadcast over the internet.
They were joined at different segments of their travels by the South America Northwest
Area Presidency Elder Juan A. Uceda, Elder Carlos A. Godoy and Elder Hugo Montoya
and their wives, Sister Maria Isabel Uceda, Sister Monica Godoy and Sister Maria
Montoya.
In each country, the Rasbands and the other Brethren and their wives visited with
missionaries. Elder Rasband encouraged the young elders and sisters to always remember
that they are to find the Lords elect and to establish multi-generational wards and
stakes in their own lands.

A massive earthquake last April caused severe destruction in western

Ecuador. (Courtesy of the South America Northwest Area)

Elder and Sister Rasband and the others also

participated in several devotionals for young
people. The youth gathering in Bogota was
broadcast across Colombia and Venezuela, while
a similar meeting originating in Lima was seen
by youth in Peru and Bolivia. A third youth
devotional in Guayaquil was seen throughout
Ecuador. At each youth devotional, young men
and young women asked questions of Elder
Rasband and the others. Their concerns are the
same as youth living anywhere else, he
observed. They have the same issues.

pornography.

In a series of Priesthood Leadership

Conferences, Elder Rasband and the Area
Presidency met with local stake presidents,
bishops and quorum leaders. Again, they
addressed universal concerns including
societal challenges to the family, issues of
religious freedoms and the dangers of

Elder Rasband noted the capacity of the local priesthood and Relief Society leaders that
ensures a bright future for the Church across northern South America.
Temples, he added, are further evidence of the wonderful growth of the Church in
Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. Temples operate in each of those nations and, in each
nation, new temples are either under construction or have been announced.
In all three countries, the Lord, through His prophet, has chosen to build new temples to
bless the people.
jswensen@deseretnews.com @JNSwensen