Michoacán Mexico — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico and the Michoacán Radio and Television System teamed up together to broadcast weekly Words of Inspiration every Sunday. The weekly program contains messages from Church leaders in Michoacán’s 5 stakes.
The partnership was done after the Mexican government banned public gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The government of Michoacán made an effort, through the direction of Religious affairs, to invite Churches that belonged to the Interreligious council to use state radio and television networks in sharing the gospel. The stake President of Morelia Mexico Stake gladly received the proposal and made necessary arrangements to start the broadcast.
The Morelia México, Morelia Aeropuerto, Uruapan, Zamora and Lázaro Cárdenas Stakes are in charge of preparing the messages that were pre-recorded in the chapels, following the strict sanitary measures and social distancing imposed by the local government.
The program can be viewed throughout the state through the open television channel 16.1, 4 satellite television and cable systems, and radio broadcast in AM and FM stations. It can also be watched by members outside the state of Michoacán through the online transmission of the Michoacán Radio and Television System.
According to Stake President Ruiz, the weekly broadcast had a tremendous impact on the saints.
“Doing analysis with the information that the bishops provide us, approximately 85 percent of the members see the message on television and 15 on the radio.”
Lorena Hernández de la Torre, director of Communication for the Morelia-Airport Stake, also expressed her joy saying that she felt that the Mexican Saints are empowered and inspired during these moments when church meetings are still restricted.
“The feedback from members of the Church is very good because they feel inspired and well represented,” she said. “It is a joy for them to see the leaders and feel heartfelt when listening to these words that not only we receive them but also the people who do not yet belong to the Church.”
President Hernández Ruíz expressed his gratitude towards the openness of the media and the opportunity to minister to both members and non-members of the church. “I can testify that when we were given this opportunity, there were nerves, there was fear, but when we began to seek inspiration and send a message,” said President Ruiz. “I could feel that the hand of the Lord has guided us, we have intertwined and we have received support from the media.”
The Words of Inspiration are broadcasted in Spanish every Sunday at 10:00 am. The messages in the program are presented by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints together with the Evangelical Church, and the Catholic Church.
