Primary President Susan H. Porter participated in devotionals for parents and children, trained local leaders, participated in community service activities, and met with local government officials during her mission last weekend, May 15-17, in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico.
President Porter was accompanied by Sister Tracy Y. Browning, second counselor in the Primary general presidency.
During the service, dozens of children, church members and friends from across the city swept, painted and cleaned local parks. They all wore T-shirts with the church’s JustServe logo on them. JustServe is a website and app where volunteers can find service opportunities near them.
President Porter said the Church teaches to obey two great commandments: love God and love your neighbor.
“We want our children to look beyond themselves to their communities and learn that through their own efforts they can make a positive difference,” President Porter said in a report from the church’s Mexico Newsroom.
She added, “Primary gives us the opportunity to learn about and live out the good deeds of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Sister Browning said the children have energy, availability and enthusiasm.
“While I was working on the project with some of the kids, I asked them, ‘How are you feeling? What are you learning?’ And they said they were so happy to be there working together and that they knew what they were doing was important,” Sister Browning said.
Sister Browning told parents that they can make a huge impact on their children’s lives by leading by example and teaching them the importance of service.
“The things you do at home to serve your family, the good you do in church and other areas of life, and the things you see in your children, will inspire your children to do the same. They will follow your example,” Sister Browning said.
The two leaders also met with religious affairs officials in Chiapas, and President Porter said he aimed to bring peace to the state.
“It was a great honor to be invited to meet them and learn about their efforts to unite people of different faiths and create peace. It was very rewarding to see their incredible efforts to create peace through service and religious freedom,” she said.
“We celebrate these activities carried out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are very pleased with our participation, support and coordination,” said Luis Alejandro Coutinho Guizar, director of the Chiapas State Religious Affairs Bureau.
