President M. Russell Ballard, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, invited members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to join a “new movement” during his devotional address in Massachusetts.
“Our nation was founded on prayer, it was preserved by prayer, and we need prayer again,” said President Ballard. “I plead with you this evening to pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God. Remember, this country was established and preserved by our founding fathers and mothers who repeatedly acknowledged the hand of God through prayer.”
“This area was the seedbed of so very much that led to the founding of this nation. I invite you to join in a new movement. Invite your neighbors, your colleagues, your friends on social media to pray for this country.”
President Ballard was joined by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, and his wife, Katherine.
“What strikes me is to see the progress of the Church here,” said Elder Christofferson, referring to early events in Church history in New England. “It’s exciting just to contemplate a couple hundred years later where things have grown to in this location as well as the rest of the world.”
The meeting was broadcast to all Church meetinghouses throughout the North America Northeast Area, which includes congregations in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Music was provided by a choir of 150 adults from across New England.
Before traveling to Massachusetts, the two Apostles were in Vermont where they spoke at a meeting in South Royalton on Friday night. Saturday, they addressed missionaries in the North America Northeast Mission in a broadcast before touring the birthplace of Church Prophet Joseph Smith in Sharon. Joseph Smith was born in the rural Vermont community on December 23, 1805.
The Prophet Joseph Smith is President Ballard’s great-great-uncle. The senior leader is a great-great-grandson of Joseph Smith’s older brother, Hyrum.
