BRASILIA, Brazil — Marco Antonio de Oliveira Maciel, the vice president of Brazil and interim president, welcomed at his official chambers Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve. They discussed the efforts of the Church throughout the world to strengthen families through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
While in Brazil fulfilling other assignments, Elder Nelson was warmly welcomed at the offices of Brazil's top legislative leaders Aug. 15-16. He was accompanied by Brazilians Elder Claudio R.M. Costa of the Seventy, recently released president of the Brazil North Area; Elder Athos M. Amorim of the Seventy, president of the Brazil South Area; Elder Cesar M. Milder, Area Authority Seventy; Moroni Bing Torgan, an elected member of the Chamber of Deputies, and Fernando Assis, Brazil director of public affairs.
Among those who met with Elder Nelson and his associates were Aécio Neves, president of the Chamber of Deputies, equivalent to the U.S. Speaker of the House; Edson Lobão, acting president of the Federal Senate and Brazilian Congress; and José Serra, Brazil minister of health. Vice president Maciel was acting president while President Fernando Henrique Cordoso was out of the country in Chile.
Elder Nelson was honored in the Chamber of Deputies by President Neves, who praised the Church's Relief Society organization and noted that it had been honored there March 20, 2001. Deputy Torgan also welcomed Elder Nelson and noted that it was the first time a Church authority had been recognized by the chamber.
As the presiding officer of the senate, President Lobo stressed the need to strengthen family and religious values. He thanked the Church for its help and said that it was an honor to receive one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Elder Nelson noted that the Church, which entered Brazil in 1923, now has nearly 800,000 members in this nation and has a growing membership worldwide. He said that the Church has completed service projects across the nation, and that the Church continues to emphasize values that strengthen the family. He explained that the Church's doctrines are centered on Jesus Christ, and thanked the leaders for the kind reception that Church authorities have received in Brazil. He also presented copies of the Proclamation on the Family to each official.
In speaking with Minister of Health José Serra, Elder Nelson praised Brazil's program to combat smoking, saying it was one of the finest in the world. At the meeting, Deputy Torgan presented a video of Church service projects, including "Helping Through Love," a program to helps establish good health practices through increased public awareness.
Elder Nelson's visit followed visits earlier in the month by Elder Amorim to Marco Aurelio Mello, president of the Brazilian Supreme Federal Tribunal, and Paulo Roberto S. da Costa Leite, president of the Superior Tribunal of Justice, the top justice officials of Brazil. Elder Amorim was accompanied by Elder Flavio A. Cooper, Area Authority Seventy, and Luiz Correa, attorney. Elder Amorim affirmed the Church's emphasis on obedience to the laws of the land. The leaders thanked the Church for its assistance last year to victims of flooding in the states of Pernambuco, Alagoas and Rio Grande do Sul.