MEXICO CITY, Mexico — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated $1 million to help provide relief to those cleaning up from the aftermath of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Mexico.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared news of the latest in a series of donations when he met with leaders of the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense, known as SEDENA, on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

“The need is huge. Very little is left standing,” Elder Bednar said of the situation in Acapulco. “Estimates are that maybe 80% of all the structures have been seriously damaged, so there is a lot to do.”

Elder Bednar continued his nine-day ministry in Mexico with additional visits in the state of Hidalgo. While there, he met with the state’s governor, Gov. Julio Menchaca, in Pachuca at the Governmental Palace of Hidalgo. Elder Bednar also met with the state’s interreligious council and listened to some of the concerns regarding religious freedom that the group is working on together.

Elder David A. Bednar and his wife, Sister Susan K. Bednar stop for a photo next to the Goveranmental Palace of Hidalgo on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico following a meeting with Hidalgo Gov. Julio Menchaca.

Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Having overseen the Mexico Area from 2007-2013 as part of numerous Church assignments during his 19 years as an Apostle, Elder Bednar said he was glad to be back in the country for the first time since the recent pandemic.

“To come back feels like coming home,” he said, adding “We have been in Mexico frequently, and we love to come back. We love these faithful and devoted people.”

Continuing support for Acapulco

The Church’s donations of food and other emergency response kits to families in Acapulco is one of five donations made since the area was hit by Hurricane Otis on Oct. 25.

In addition to the donation made through SEDENA on Wednesday, the Church has also donated 40 tons of supplies to World Vision, Save the Children, the Mexican Red Cross and the TV-Azteca Foundation. In total, the donations have benefitted nearly 62,000 people with a combination of food, clothing, bedding, sanitation and clean-up supplies, first aid kits and other supplies needed by those trying to rebuild their community.

After meeting with the military generals and officials who are coordinating the relief efforts in the coastal city in the Mexican state of Guerrero, Elder Bednar said the group was grateful for how much the Church has contributed.

“The leaders were very welcoming, and frankly, they were somewhat surprised at the organization and capacity we have in the Church to be responsive,” Elder Bednar said. “We look forward to working with them, providing resources and people to continue in the recovery effort in Acapulco.”

Elder Bednar also shared what he learned from Sunday’s virtual meeting with Saints in Acapulco. He said he could see joy in the people’s faces despite having suffered great losses. He described one bishop in the area as having a “smile [that] must have been 14 feet wide.”

A sister who bore her testimony after that bishop also had an impact on Elder Bednar.

“[She was] subtle, firm, steadfast, sad and challenged because of the conditions — but filled with the hope that comes only from the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “It was beautiful.”

Elder Bednar said those who are looking for a way to support the people of Acapulco should pray and contribute financially to fast offerings and the Church’s humanitarian fund.

“Such contributions will bless the people in Acapulco,” he said.

Meeting Hidalgo Gov. Menchaca

Elder Bednar, his wife, Sister Susan K. Bednar; and Elder Hugo Montoya, General Authority Seventy and president of the Mexico Area; met with Gov. Menchaca in his office. They discussed the correct and full name of the Church, the Book of Mormon, and the recent announcements of houses of the Lord that will be built in Pachuca and Tula – both in the state of Hidalgo.

Photo of Pachuca in the Mexican state of Hidalgo on Nov. 8, 2023.

Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Sister Bednar said the governor is well acquainted with the Church because of Latter-day Saints with whom he works and interacts with regularly in the community. He has seen the very positive examples of these faithful disciples.

Elder David A. Bednar and his wife, Sister Susan K. Bednar receive a gift from Relief Society sisters at the Goveranmental Palace of Hidalgo on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico.

Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Uniting with those of other faiths

Elder and Sister Bednar and Elder Montoya and his wife, Sister Carmen Montoya, attended a meeting with the National Awareness for Religious Liberty organization in Hidalgo, as well.

“With them there was a uniting spirit of working together to make sure we protect religious freedom in many places in the world that’s under attack,” Elder Bednar said. “Though we have different doctrine and approaches to our worship, we are united in the fact that we believe and trust in God and can work together to achieve important common objectives.”

Elder David A. Bednar, and his wife, Sister Susan K. Bednar, Elder Hugo Montoya and his wife, Sister Carmen Montoya pose for a photo with members of Hidalgo’s interreligious council on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico.

Leslie Nilsson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints