Russell Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, discussed a slew of topics including immigration and youth in a rare interview granted to local media ahead of Sunday evening's devotional in Glendale.

Nelson began the interview by inviting "all of God's children" to receive blessings of the temple through faith in Jesus Christ. He went on to say that they intended to have future events similar to the devotional at State Farm Stadium, and that they "appreciated the hospitality" of Phoenix-area members of the LDS church.

Nelson was joined in the interview by Dallin Oaks, who is first counselor in the first presidency.

Oaks noted the concentration of LDS members in Arizona during the interview. Last week, the church put the number of LDS members in Arizona at 428,000 — placing the state fourth in the nation, behind only Utah, California and Idaho.

"That gives a visit like this a higher priority than in some places where we don't have such a concentration," Oaks said.

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Nelson said all people, even those who did not identify as LDS, were welcome to the Sunday event and that the church's message is the same for everyone.

"Ours is a message of hope," Nelson said. "There isn't a person upon the planet Earth who doesn't have challenges — some of them are serious and very difficult to deal with. If they can get the help of the Lord and his teachings, it will give them not only hope but help."

The pair then moved on to discuss the renovation of the Mesa Temple, which began last year and is slated to end in 2020.

Oaks said "it was time to refresh" the temple, which opened in 1927. He added that the church would surround the temple with additional buildings that will "further the work of the church."

Nelson said the additions would include a family history center, where church members could get more information on their ancestors.

Those additions have been controversial, as historic homes have been demolished to make way for the new church developments.

Nelson and Oaks then delved into immigration, specifically addressing the topic of family separation.

Oaks said that the church doesn't take a formal position on political proposals, but that the church issued a statement "pleading" with government officials to reunite separated migrant families.

Nelson said that he understands a nation's need to protect its borders, but said he hopes those concerns are balanced with a desire to help others.

"We hope in every country they will be mindful of the fact that we are our brother's keepers and we are to love our neighbors and we are to keep families together and not separate families," he said.

Both men emphasized that although politics can be polarizing, church members have a responsibility of loving even those people they disagree with. Oaks noted that contention "drives away the spirit of the Lord," with Nelson adding that church members should spend more time working with people they disagree with instead of arguing with them.

"You don't have to hate your enemy," he said. "We would like to spend our time building bridges of cooperation rather than walls of separation."

The topic of the interview then shifted to youth, with both men expressing their concern and offering advice for the next generation of church members and leaders.

Nelson said his concern for his people is the same that Peter and Paul had in biblical times.

"Do what's right and let the consequences follow," he said. "Love your neighbor. Be kind, be gentle, be truthful, be fair."

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He said though today's youth might face "perilous times" where they are persecuted for their beliefs, they will reap eternal benefits if they follow commandments laid out in Scripture.

He referenced today's youth as being leaders of the next generation, noting that they will play an important role in the gathering of Israel and preparation for the second coming of Christ — a theme that was emphasized in his speech later Sunday night.

Recent changes to the LDS church were brought up toward the end of the interview. Among those changes referenced were the church's movement to have members not refer to themselves as Mormons and the reduction of Sunday services from three hours to two hours long.

Both men said the changes were a response to direction from God, and that more changes could come in the future depending on what future counsel they may receive.

"As long as we're alive, we'll be changing — hopefully for the better," Nelson said.

The Sunday devotional was the largest gathering of LDS members in Arizona history, with about 68,000 believed to be in attendance at State Farm Stadium.