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AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Tithing: A Blessing from Heavenly Father to Help Us on Our Mortal Journey By Elder Marcus B. Nash President, Africa West Area Presidency Marcus B. Nash

father sent his son on a long, loaf of bread and ran off. As he ran, he on the journey. But he remembered dangerous, and difficult jour- remembered that his father had taught the lesson he learned in returning the A ney. The son was worried and asked, him that he would know whether the sachet water and bread. He tried to “Father, how can I be sure to arrive boy loved and trusted his father more show by his day-to-­ day­ decisions that safely?” than anything by the choices he would he truly loved his father more than The father smiled and told his son, make on the journey. He knew that his anything or anyone else. By doing this, “Do not worry. I have provided a way father was an honest man and would he found people all along the journey for you to receive all the help you never steal. who his father had put on the path he will need.” So the boy returned to the stand and traveled in order to teach, help, and “How will I be able to get the help returned the water sachet and bread encourage him. When he safely arrived when I need it?” asked the boy. to the vendor. The vendor smiled and at his destination, he had become a His father replied, “It is simple: love told the boy that the boy’s father was strong, honest man of great trust and and trust me more than anything else.” a friend of his and had asked him to noble character—just like his father. “But how can I show you that I watch and see what the boy would Our Heavenly Father has sent us on love and trust you more than anything do when he walked by the vendor’s a mortal journey here on earth. The else?” asked the son. stand. The vendor said, “This was a test great test of our mortal journey—and The father put a loving hand on of your character. If you had simply only way to receive all of the help our his son’s shoulder and said, “I will taken the sachet water and bread and loving Father has provided for each know if you love and trust me more not returned, then you would not have of us on our journey—is to show Him than anything else by the choices you received any help from me and would by the choices we make that we truly make when I am not with you.” instead have learned to be a thief. love and trust Him more than any- The boy inquired, “But how will The vendor continued, “However, thing, or anyone, else. In fact, He sent you know what choices I make when because you chose to be honest us to earth “to see if [we] will do all we are not together?” like your father taught you, you are things whatsoever the Lord [our] God “Oh, I will know,” replied his good showing that you really do love and shall command [us]” (Abraham 3:25). father. Then he added, “Now go; it is trust him more than anything else— Tithing is a commandment of God time to begin your journey.” even when you are very hungry and and the test is to see if we love and After walking for two days, the boy thirsty. You are learning to be a good trust our God enough to obey this ran out of food and water. Without and noble man like your father.” The commandment. If we pass the test by money, feeling tired and weak, he saw vendor took the boy by the hand and living the law of tithing, we will find a stand where a vendor was selling said, “If you will work for it, I will give all of the help our Father in Heaven bread, fried yam, roasted plantain, and you the food and water you need.” has provided for us. If, however, we sachet water. Hungry and thirsty, the The boy continued the journey. He choose to not keep the law, we will boy grabbed a sachet of water and a faced many temptations and difficulties not receive the help He provided for

October 2018 A1 “If it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can us. Instead, will learn the ways of the accomplish the thing which he has commanded them” world—and those ways cannot bring (1 Nephi 17:3). us the blessings our loving Father in Heaven offers us. Just like the father in this story, ordinances of the temple and keep- Our obedience to the law of tithing our Heavenly Father has promised ing the associated covenants. And no shows whether we love and trust God to provide us with all of the help we one can develop the faith necessary more than anything or anyone else. need to succeed in our mortal journey to receive the blessings of the temple Long ago, Jesus (perhaps pointing at —but only if we show Him by the until they live the law of the tithe. the fish that Peter and John and the choices we make that we love and In addition to these wonderful others had just caught in their fishing trust Him more than anything else. eternal blessings, the Lord promises: nets) asked Peter on the shores of Said the Lord: “Bring ye all the tithes “And I will rebuke the devourer for the Dead Sea, “Lovest thou me more into the storehouse, . . . and prove me your sakes, and he shall not destroy than these?” ( John 21:15). The Savior now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, the fruits of your ground; neither was asking Peter if he truly loved the if I will not open you the windows of shall your vine cast her fruit before Savior more than the things of the heaven, and pour you out a blessing, the time in the field, saith the Lord world, including food, fish, and the that there shall not be room enough of hosts. income the fish would produce to a to receive it” (Malachi 3:10). To open “And all nations shall call you fisherman. Peter replied three times to the windows of heaven is to bless us blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome that repeated question that he did love spiritually, to increase our capacity, land, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi the Savior more than anything else. I to give us the opportunity to become 3:11–12). Those who live the law of hope that, like Peter, we would answer self-reliant,­ and to make us equal to the tithe will find themselves pro- the Lord that we do love Him above the opportunity. tected and watched over. They will be all else. And I hope that, like Peter did Tithing is one of the most important blessed to have what they need. They from that day on, our choices show tests we face on our mortal journey will be given opportunity to become Him that our love and trust are true. because choosing to live that law self-reliant­ and the power to do it! Of the Israelites who did not live the makes such a difference in our lives While recently traveling on the law of the tithe, the Lord said: “Will a and in the lives of our posterity. If by Africa continent, President Russell M. man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. paying tithing we prove ourselves to Nelson stated: “We preach tithing to But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Him, He will pour out a blessing that the poor people of the world because thee? In tithes and offerings. there is not room enough to receive the poor people of the world have “Ye are cursed with a curse: for it. This of course includes opening the had cycles of poverty, generation after ye have robbed me, even this whole doors of the temple, where heaven and generation. That same poverty contin- nation” (Malachi 3:8–9). If the boy in the earth intersect and where the blessings ues from generation to another, until above story had not returned the things of eternity are made possible. people pay their tithing.” It is living the he stole, he would have been cursed to When we consider worlds without law of tithing that will break the cycle live the ways of the world and become end, righteous posterity as the sands of poverty. Those who live this law a thief. By showing through his choice of the sea, we can begin to understand will join the millions of faithful mem- that he loved and trusted his father what it means to receive blessings so bers of the Church who bear solemn more than anything, he made it possi- great that there is not room enough and joyous testimony that the Lord ble to receive the help his father had to receive them. One cannot receive keeps His promises to those who love promised him throughout the journey. these blessings without receiving the Him and keep His commandments.

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Brother Dalebe Martin Goury of same thing. Even though things were I express the deep and abiding love Nigeria shares the following personal a bit difficult at the university, I was I feel for you, and more importantly, experience: happy and peaceful because I had paid I share my witness of the eternal and “In April 1993, I was a new con- a full and honest tithe every week. abiding love that our Father in Heaven vert to the Church, living in a foreign “At the end of the second week, the and His Son have for you. The blessings country, working every hour possible first counsellor of the bishopric, who promised will be yours if you obey the while attending university. I was study- studied engineering, requested to see commandment with patience and per- ing mechanical engineering. Having me. I do not know how he knew that sistence. The windows of heaven will been taught the law of tithing, I started I was in a desperate need of a pro- be opened, blessings without number paying a full and honest tithe from the grammable calculator. However, these will be poured out, and you will be day I received the lesson. I had been a were his words: ‘I heard you are doing watched over by a loving Father so that, member of the Church for three weeks a degree in mechanical engineering. I after a trial of your faith (see Ether 12:6), when we were asked to come to our completed an engineering degree a few you will have what you need to become courses with a programmable engineer- years ago and still have the calculator I self-reliant.­ What is more, your children ing calculator. With my little resources, had to purchase. I no longer have need will be strengthened in their faith, and I realized that I needed to save a cer- of it. Would you like it?’ your righteous posterity will call you tain amount each week for 12 weeks “When he brought the calculator blessed forever. ◼ without paying my tithing to be able out, I noticed that it was 10 times better to afford the materials required. If I did than the one I would have purchased not purchase them, I would struggle to after 12 weeks of saving money. How be on the same level as other student. did he know my needs? Only my CHURCH HISTORY COLUMN “Usually, I would give my tithing Father in Heaven knew. This confirmed envelope to the bishop or to any of for me the promises of the Lord in his counsellors as soon as I arrived at Malachi 3:10.” Liberia: A the chapel, but that Sunday I kept the Brother Goury passed the test of Country of Faith envelope till the end—as I was debat- whether he loved and trusted our By Elder McCullough and Sister ing what to do. I was so tempted to Father in Heaven over all other things. Christensen return home with the tithing money He did this by living the law of the tithe AWA Church History Missionaries and start saving. As my mind was rac- when it seemed that doing so would ing with what to do at the end of the frustrate his goals. After some patience he history of the Church in Liberia third hours, I receive this strong feel- and persistence in obeying the com- Tis an example of great faith as ing that I had made a covenant. I felt mandment, he received help sent by members of the Church strive to live overwhelmed by the feeling and went our loving Heavenly Father. Those who the gospel through great challenges. to the bishop’s office and handed in follow Brother Goury’s example will As one reads the history of Liberia, my tithing envelope. I never explained learn by their own experience that “if it is easy to see the hand of the Lord why I was late handing in my tithing it so be that the children of men keep working to protect His Saints and to this time. Then I went home. the commandments of God he doth bring the blessings of the gospel to “The following week, my resolve nourish them, and strengthen them, the people of this great country. was strong this time and I handed in and provide means whereby they can In 1987, the articles of incorporation my tithing as soon as I arrived at the accomplish the thing which he has for the Church was approved by the chapel. The following Sunday, I did the commanded them” (1 Nephi 17:3). government of Liberia, and J. Duffy

October 2018 A3 Palmer and his wife Jocelyn were called Throughout the Ebola crisis, the full-­time missionaries. Once the country as the lead couple to open the Liberia Church worked through recognized was declared Ebola-free,­ missionaries Monrovia Mission. Elder Marvin J. relief organizations and on-the-­ ground­ returned in September 2016. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve partners to help communities in need. Today there are more than 12,544 Apostles, accompanied by Alexander Many members also volunteered their members of the Church in Liberia, com- B. Morrison of the First Quorum of the own time to help spread awareness of prising 4 stakes, 12 districts, 27 wards, Seventy, visited the Church members proper sanitation practices. and 11 branches. in Monrovia and dedicated the land The Church provided emergency Recording history like this is important. for the preaching of the gospel on resources to purchase local rice and Every member of the Church is encour- September 2, 1987. oil for food, as well as bleach and aged to keep a journal and record the Two years after the first Liberian containers for cleaning. Members in events of their lives and the lives of their baptisms in 1987, the Church mem- Ghana had a special fast and donated families. Doing so will help us see the bers’ trials began with an eight-year­ money to help those in Liberia, hand of the Lord in our lives and realize civil war that brought physical danger, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Latter-­day the blessings He has given us. ◼ trials, tribulations, and suffering. The Saints in the region also continued Information Provided by the Church History Lord blessed those who remained true missionary work in the absence of Library to their faith through the adversities and tribulations of life as the follow- ing story shows: At the beginning of hostilities, the LOCAL NEWS Area Presidency directed the members in Liberia to hold home meetings and to not assemble at the meetinghouses. Nigeria Celebrates First During the civil war, the reason for this PathwayConnect Graduation: counsel became clear. When the war Church Members Optimistic of Program Expansion in Nigeria got to Monrovia, many people of other Adapted from Mormon Newsroom faiths began gathering in their own churches in the community, seeking shelter and safety. Then the tragedy igeria makes a giant stride in Students take a course load con- came. As the soldiers invaded the city, N Church Educational System as her sisting of both academic and religious they entered some of these church first set of students at PathwayConnect education each semester during buildings and killed all the men, Worldwide graduated on May 1, 2018. PathwayConnect program. Pupils gather women, and children. But the Latter-­ The graduation ceremony was held at weekly at a church meetinghouse where day Saint Church members were safe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-­day they participate in educational and because they had followed the counsel Saints Lagos Nigeria Ikeja Stake Centre leadership activities related to their of priesthood leaders. Opebi, and 92 students received their courses and build lifelong friendships. In 2014, Church members in Liberia certificates of program completion. Raymond Oraegbu, the chairman of faced another challenge: The deadliest The graduation ceremony was the PathwayConnect, Lagos said, “I am really outbreak of Ebola in recorded history crowning event for the three semester, excited. . . this is the fulfillment of our prompted the Church to remove its 86 gospel-centered­ academic program dreams. I am really pleased that our full-time­ missionaries from Liberia. that began in April 2017. students are able to take advantage

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Elder Neil L. Andersen Ministers to Nigerian Saints Apostle of Jesus Christ ministers to over 2,000 people in Abuja, Nigeria.

of this program to improve themselves.” the cap of integrity and honesty and lder Neil L. Andersen of the Elder Clement Okoye congratulated be a true member of The Church of E Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the pioneers of PathwayConnect in Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ Saints.” counselled Latter-day­ Saints to always Nigeria at the graduation ceremony. PathwayConnect courses are “choose the right” during a special During his opening remarks, he said, designed to help students learn basic conference of the Abuja North and “I thank you all for being the pace-­ skills and gain the confidence and South Stakes of The Church of Jesus setters, and what success you have abilities needed to succeed in college Christ of Latter-day­ Saints in Abuja, laid down today, others will follow.” and in life. Skills learned include: criti- Nigeria, on Sunday, May 20, 2018. The valedictory speech was deliv- cal decision-making,­ goal setting, time “The Important things in life are not ered by Priscilla Halima Kane. She management, teamwork, collaboration, wealth or poverty; that does not matter encouraged her colleagues, “We all study skills, budgeting, and career to God. It is not between fame and have the capacity for greatness, we planning. obscurity; that does not really matter have proven that by our attendance After successfully completing to God,” said Elder Andersen. “The here today. We should never underes- PathwayConnect, students can apply choices, the decisions, the importance timate the power we have to be suc- to earn a certificate or degree online of life is between right and wrong. This cessful in whatever field we choose to from Brigham Young University–Idaho, is why we are here in mortality.” specialize in throughout our lives.” consider a local college or university, “We are to develop into a special Mrs. Kane concluded, “We should get a new or improved job, or pursue people, that choose the right. Whatever never take for granted all the oppor- a variety of other options. government we find ourselves, what- tunities we have been given, even the The first BYU PathwayConnect ever community we are in, we are to opportunity to have PathwayConnect centre in Africa was established in believe in Christ, we are to Love God, here in Nigeria.” Accra, Ghana, in November, 2010. It we are to follow Him,” he said. The graduation keynote speaker, commenced classes with 20 students “We do not fight against other reli- Dr. Adekunle Hassan, counseled, “It is under the leadership of Brother and gions, none of them. If they are good, amazing that the Church is providing Sister Samuel Boakye-Yiadom­ who if they love God, if they want to help this opportunity for its members. The were called as the first Pathway mis- one another, we embrace them, we inspiration behind a program like this sionary couple in Africa. There are love them, and we love everything that is to help us so that we can be the best now two additional centres located in is good about them.” Elder Andersen that we can be in our communities.” Tesano and Odorkor, serving students invited all members to maintain high Hassan continued, “Let this day be from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, standards of the gospel and be special remembered as a day that you put on and Cote d’Ivoire. ◼ people.

October 2018 A5 Francis Omoyele Falako, an arch- wonderful people with testimonies, educate their children. He counselled deacon in the Anglican Communion with love and unity,” Francis Omoyele that members can volunteer to assist and a lecturer in the University of Falako concluded. in training children of members who Lagos, who attended the meeting, Elder Andersen was accompanied cannot afford to pay for their chil- said, “I teach religious studies. I have on his visit to Nigeria by his wife, Sister dren’s school fees. read about this Church and I have Kathy Andersen; Africa West Area Later that evening, Elder seen the buildings. Joining you gave President Terence M. Vinson and his Andersen and his wife attended me an opportunity to worship. I love wife, Kay Anne Carden Vinson; Elder a dinner at the opening ceremony the simplicity and the participatory Adeyinka Ojediran, an Area Seventy; of the 2018 Annual Conference of aspect of it.” and other Church leaders. the African Consortium for Law and “Members of The Church of He also encouraged the congre- Religion Studies, hosted in Abuja, Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ Saints are gation to do whatever they can to Nigeria. ◼

Africa West Area Bids the Vinsons Farewell

n a seemingly emotional devotion, Clad in their beautiful turquoise In his advice to Church members, I members across the Africa West Area blue and royal blue apparel, the Elder Vinson explained that members on Friday bade farewell to the Africa Bountiful and the Teshie Stake choir need not play a lead role before they West Area President, Elder Terence M. took turns singing both local gospel feel special about themselves. He said, Vinson and his wife, Sister Kay Anne songs and hymns to the delight of the “Do not underestimate yourselves. Do Vinson. The devotional was held at emotionally charged audience. not think that you are less important the Christiansborg meetinghouse, Two soloists, Victoria Coleman and because you are not a leader. Do not located on the Accra Ghana Temple Alfred Patrick Addaquay, also performed think that you are any lesser than the square. soul-stirring­ music performances. person who has been called to preside.”

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He admonished members to continually stay loyal to the Lord. Recounting his single goal in life, Elder Vinson said, “My one goal in life is to be a soldier in the Lord’s army, to be a soldier in the Lord’s trust and to be loyal.” He further expressed how grateful he is to have the opportunity to serve the people of West Africa. “I don’t know why the Lord chose us, there are many better people, but I am grateful that we were assigned to come to Ghana.” Sister Kay Anne Vinson said she is leaving the area with a stronger testi- mony based on her experiences with people. “I am leaving with a bigger heart than I had when I arrived,” she said. FSY 2018 Youth Camp, Ghana “The welcoming nature of people in By Nana Kwabena Yirenkyi Baidoo the Africa West Area is heartwarming, Accra, Ghana and I will greatly miss that tender expe- After spending a week in Aburi for the FSY activity, the youth had lots of wonderful rience.” On a lighter side, Sister Vinson experiences to share. Programs were planned to bring out the best in the young explained that she will also miss the men and women from various parts of the country. Spending time with these Ghanaian jollof rice (one of the most youth, I have learnt a lot from them and about the gospel. My faith has increased and my testimony has been strengthened as I listened to their talks and testimonies. sought-after­ meals in Ghana), which is As I interacted with them during various activities, their faith and knowledge of the a favorite of her last son. gospel really inspired me. Every moment spent with the youth at this year’s FSY has Elder Vinson was assigned to the been inspiring, and I would always have them at heart. Families are indeed essential Africa West Area on August 1, 2012, as to God’s plan of salvation. And surely, “There’s Peace in Christ.” First Counselor to the Area Presidency. After a four-year­ service in that office, Youth Experiences he was subsequently assigned as the I found myself in a I really learnt a lot Area President in 2016. group in which I knew of things at this confer- Beginning August 1, 2018, Elder nobody. But as the days ence which I know, as Vinson will be serving in the Presidency passed, I began to cope a young woman and of the Seventy. with the new environ- a youth, will help me Opinion leaders present at the ment. It was exciting getting to know uphold my standards and be a light event was Hon. Francis Addai Nimo, people from different backgrounds. I to the world. I realized that when we also learnt new things both spiritually walk with the Lord, there is peace in former member of Parliament for and socially. This strengthened my faith Him. He will give us hope and will Mampong Constituency and his wife, in the living Christ and also my testimo- strengthen us when we learn of Him as well as an entourage from the Osu ny that He lives. and listen to His words. Chief Palace. ◼ —Hal B., age 14, Koforidua Stake —Salomey B., age 18, Adenta Stake

October 2018 A7 FSY 2018 was a won- ordinances of the gospel, we will make our a lot fun, I learnt several derful experience. It was way back to our Heavenly Father. lessons that I believe are exciting to meet new peo- —Derek M., age 14, Adenta Stake going to help me so much ple with whom we shared in my life and I felt the From day one at FSY, the same faith and values Holy Ghost. We watched the experience has been and had great experiences with. This youth a video one morning about families. I was tremendous. This FSY has conference is bound to last in my memory very inspired by the things I saw, felt, and been the biggest experience forever. heard. It was a feeling of warmth and I have had since I joined the —Nana Ama B., age 14, Adenta Stake peace and love. Sister Marley told me Church. It has helped me build a relation- it was the Holy Ghost manifesting and Meeting different ship with others of different backgrounds. testifying of truth to my heart. I was glad. people and learning differ- Through some of the talks, I learnt the Very glad. ent things has impacted importance of family and family history —Martha A., age 16, Tema Stake me greatly and contributed work. It has taught me to exercise faith in a lot to my socializing skills all things I do. I also learnt to be self-reliant.­ I have really learnt a and has taught me to stand with the —Patrick A., age 17, Madina Stake lot since we started this Lord everywhere I go and make the best FSY. Attending classes and This FSY camp has been of everything. I was continuously reminded being taught the gospel has a wonderful and inspiring of the fact that I have a responsibility to helped improve upon the one. Even though this was fulfill so that I can live with my Heavenly spiritual aspect of my life and helped build my first, I have come to Father again. my faith in God. One thing that I have learn a lot. I learnt of how —Alexander D., age 16, Ashaiman Stake been taught and loved the most was about special we are to God. I have come to learn the family and that family is ordained of I learnt from Mosiah 2:17 that in this world, we have a role to play in God and helps us return to our Heavenly that when I am in the service our own capacity. Father. I also made new friends and built of my fellow being, I am in —Dennise S., age 16, Teshie Stake my confidence. the service of God. I also I had a marvellous —Ronald A., age 16, Koforidua Stake learnt that throughout our experience at the 2018 FSY lives we will face trials, but God knows what having a nice time with This FSY conference has we are going through. He knows our hearts Brother and Sister Marley. been an activity of fun, and will rescue us if we come to Him. I learnt that families can socializing, and enhance- —Halia K., age 16, Tema Stake be together forever and despite the chal- ment of faith in the gospel Throughout the activities lenges, we can still have peace in Christ if of Jesus Christ. The mean- each day and night, I have we are diligent in feasting upon His words. ing of my company name sends a mes- felt the Spirit, through My best experience was during the musical sage to me to be courageous in all things the choir and testimonies we had, even though it rained heavily, I felt just as Samuel the Lamanite was. I was shared by the youth and the the Spirit. These memories are going to be inspired to serve a mission after listening leaders as well. My FSY experience could with me forever. to a testimony from one the leaders. I also be described as inspiring and educative. As —Felicia M., age 17, Adenta Stake learnt that no matter the trials my family is we walk in the meekness of the Lord and going through, if the gospel of Jesus Christ learn of Him each day, we will find greater One of the greatest is in our hearts, we can overcome all our peace in Him, that can never be found in memories I have about this challenges. the world. 2018 FSY is that I learnt a —Bridget A., age 17, Madina Stake —Patrina A., age 17, Christiansborg Stake great deal of lessons and I have received answers to I am very grateful for all Through some of the my questions and I have gained confidence I have experienced these talks at the FSY, I have in whatever I do. I know that God lives and past few days at the FSY. I learnt that if we pay that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I know was able to make friends, our tithing, the Lord has that the Church is true. enjoy the food, and feel the promised He will open the —Ezra E., age 16, Dzodze Branch Spirit. I know that everything I learnt there windows of heaven for us and we will is true and I would always remember this be blessed both spiritually and physically. My FSY experience was amazing. I loved experience. ◼

I know that if we abide by the laws and every bit of it. I made many friends, I had —Emma D., age 15, Adenta Stake ENGLISH—AFRICA WEST

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