Beyond broadcast and livestreamed conferences, devotionals and other messaging opportunities spanning international borders, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints travel the globe to reach and teach as many as possible. As general authorities and general officers make these global ministries, trainings and visits, they strive to be present for as many of the Saints as possible. That is accomplished regularly through high-profile, large meetings, ranging from tens of thousands attending in stadiums, arenas and community centers to hundreds in stake centers and the largest meetinghouses available.
However, from reporting assignments with the Church News and Deseret News as well as in ecclesiastical service as a stake president and a mission president, I can witness that Church leaders look for as many small-group meetings and one-on-one interactions where circumstances and settings allow. For example, sometimes an Apostle stays long after a meeting or gathering to shake the hand of each attendee.
Other times, through inquiry and inspiration, leaders find those who can benefit from individual attention and then counsel, comfort, congratulate, correct or encourage as needed.
Instead, I simply observe in awe. When Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches of the resurrected Savior appearing to the Nephites and Lamanites gathered at the land Bountiful 3 Nephi 11 , he underscores how Christ allowed each person there to come one by one and see, touch and feel the nail prints in His hands and feet and the wound in His side, allowing each a personal witness of His Resurrection and divinity.
Not only have I been a witness of modern-day leaders reaching out to the one, but my family and I have been recipients as well. During President Russell M. There at the dock, President Nelson was standing at the bottom of a short flight of steps leading to the waiting cars, extending his hand of assistance and his words of appreciation to each member of the group as they stepped down.
