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AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

A Celebration of Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection By Elder LeGrand R. Curtis, Jr. Africa West Area President LeGrand R. Curtis, Jr.

he Savior’s last Passover commemo- on this occasion. Twenty percent “By this shall all men know that ye Tration was in an upper room with of the Gospel of John is devoted to are my disciples, if ye have love one to His Apostles. This event has become these teachings, including these mem- another” ( John 13:34–35). known among Christians as the “Last orable statements: “In my Father’s house are many man- Supper.” During this event, Christ “A new commandment I give unto sions: if it were not so, I would have told and His Apostles ate the tradition- you, That ye love one another; as I you. I go to prepare a place for you. al Passover meal. Jesus also taught have loved you, that ye also love one “And if I go and prepare a place for important doctrines to His Apostles another. you, I will come again, and receive you

April 2016 A1 unto myself; that where I am, there ye Jesus washed the Apostles’ feet. He and sicknesses (see Alma 7:11–13). may be also” ( John 14:2–3). also gave his magnificent Intercessory The burden was so great that the “I am the way, the truth, and the Prayer, where He prayed for them and Savior prayed that if possible, the life: no man cometh unto the Father, for all who would heed their teachings. cup would pass from Him. But He but by me” ( John 14:6). From the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, did not shy away from what the “If ye love me, keep my command- and Luke, we learn that the Savior also Father required of Him for a perfect ments” ( John 14:15). instituted a new ordinance on this and infinite atonement. His prayer to “Peace I leave with you, my peace occasion—the sacrament (see Matthew have the burden removed included, I give unto you: not as the world giv- 26:26–28, Mark 14:22–24, Luke 22:19– “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, eth, give I unto you. Let not your heart 20). Christ broke bread, blessed it, and be done” (Luke 22:42). be troubled, neither let it be afraid” gave it to His Apostles, telling them As He prayed in Gethsemane, the ( John 14:27). that it represented His body, which shedding of His blood mentioned dur- “I am the vine, ye are the branches: was given for them. They were told to ing the sacrament ordinance began. He that abideth in me, and I in him, eat it in remembrance of Him. He then Luke recorded: the same bringeth forth much fruit: took the “cup after supper” (which tra- “And being in agony he prayed for without me ye can do nothing” ditionally was a mixture of water and more earnestly: and his sweat was as ( John 15:5). wine), blessed it, and gave it to them. it were great drops of blood falling “This is my commandment, That ye They were told that it represented His down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). love one another, as I have loved you” “blood of the new testament, which That this was not just figurative is ( John 15:12). is shed for many for the remission of made clear by what the Lord said in “Greater love hath no man than sins.” The Apostles were told to “drink modern scripture. In referencing this this, that a man lay down his life for ye all of it” (Matthew 26:28). At that suffering in Gethsemane, He said: his friends. point in time, His body had not been “Which suffering caused myself, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatso- given for them, and His blood had not even God, the greatest of all, to trem- ever I command you” ( John 15:13–14). been shed for the remission of sins. ble because of pain, and to bleed at “Ye have not chosen me, but I have But the giving of His body and the every pore, and to suffer both body chosen you, and ordained you, that ye shedding of His blood would happen and spirit—and would that I might not should go and bring forth fruit, and that very shortly thereafter. drink the bitter cup, and shrink— your fruit should remain: that whatso- Jesus and His Apostles, except “Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, ever ye shall ask of the Father in my Judas, left the upper room, went and I partook and finished my prepa- name, he may give it you” ( John 15:16). out of Jerusalem, crossed the Brook rations unto the children of men” (D&C “These things I have spoken unto Cedron, and ascended the Mount of 19:18–19; emphasis added). you, that in me ye might have peace. Olives to a place called Gethsemane. While yet in Gethsemane, Jesus In the world ye shall have tribulation: There Christ went by Himself and was arrested by the Jewish temple but be of good cheer; I have over- prayed to the Father. The burden of guards and the Roman soldiers. The come the world” ( John 16:33). all of the sins of mankind was placed shedding of His blood continued as At the Last Supper, in addition to upon Him, as well as all of man- He was beaten, scourged, and ulti- giving these magnificent teachings, kind’s pains, afflictions, temptations, mately crucified at Calvary. After much

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suffering, both of body and spirit, He willingly gave up His life, offering His Africa West 2016 Area Plan body as a sacrifice for our sins. He was laid in a borrowed tomb, he Africa West Area plan seeks to and on the third day He rose from the Tsimplify the goal of the area for dead, initiating the Resurrection of all 2016. It has served as a fifth Sunday mankind. instructional material since January Each Easter the Christian world 2016. As members of the Church strive celebrates Christ’s Resurrection and to achieve the goals therein, the bless- the victory over death that it entails. ings of God will be upon them and We also remember during the Easter their posterity. season the events preceding His death What is my role in accomplishing and Resurrection, including His teach- this area plan? ings, the example of His life, and His Do I love, trust, and know the suffering in Gethsemane. Savior, Jesus Christ? Do I constantly However, Easter is not the only seek for the blessings of the temple? occasion we have to celebrate Christ’s Atonement. Each week, by the Lord’s Vision invitation and commandment, we gath- With faith, we will look to the er in sacrament meeting to commem- Savior. We will love, trust, and know orate the Savior’s Atonement. Just as Him. This will lead us to seek for our- the Apostles did at the Last Supper, we selves and our families all the bless- take the broken bread in remembrance ings of the temple and eternal life. of Christ’s body given for us. We drink Area Goals the cup remembering His blood that Area Objectives To build faith in Christ, we will: was shed for us, and further remem- Build Faith in Christ: Our faith • Increase tithing faithfulness. bering that He drank the full measure in Christ will increase as we grow • Increase sacrament meeting of the bitter cup that was required to spiritually and become temporally attendance. save us from sin and death. self-reliant.­ • Increase the number of endowed Easter is a wonderful celebration of Focus on Ordinances: We will members with temple recommends. the Atonement of Jesus Christ, but so focus on the ordinances of the gospel • Increase temporal self-­reliance. is each Sunday as we come and par- as a necessary condition to qualify for take of the holy sacrament offered to the blessings of eternal life. To focus on ordinances, we will: us in each sacrament meeting. Let us Encourage and Strengthen the • Have more people “converted unto come each week with broken hearts Rising Generation: We will encour- the Lord” (Alma 23:13) and join His and contrite spirits and celebrate age the rising generation of youth and true Church. Christ’s marvelous victory over death young single adults to achieve their • Increase the number of members and sin. ◼ spiritual and temporal potential. who submit names to the temple.

April 2016 A3 CHURCH HISTORY COLUMN How to Write about an Event By Brother and Sister Sono-Koree­

our life is a unique experience, . . . faith, and works” (D&C Yone worth capturing in detail 85:2). In 20 years, the world for yourself, your posterity, and will be a different place, and members of the Church interest- people will want to know ed in Church history. Below are a about the things we now take few suggestions on how to write a for granted. meaningful journal. • Include some personal feelings. 1. Write about the event shortly after it has happened. The preservation and future use • If you let too much time go of your work is important. Please by, you will forget important consider the following: details. 2. Give some background about 1. If you are writing by hand, write what happened leading up to in black or blue ink; it scans the event. the best. Other types of ink and • Write about the purpose of pencil will fade with time. the event. 2. Write as neatly as you can. • Describe the planning People in the future may be process. reading what you write. Typing • Do not overlook the history it on a computer may be better. • Increase the number of members that is happening around you. If you do this, be sure to always who are sealed to their spouse. You may want to comment on back up your work on a sepa- • Prepare more men to receive the external events and how they rate storage device. Melchizedek Priesthood. impact what you are doing. 3. Do not use cheap adhesive tape 3. Write with a future Church audi- or cheap glue to attach things To encourage and strengthen ence in mind. in your work. This will ruin the the rising generation, we will: • What would you like future paper and everything close to • Increase the number of 18- ­to readers to know about this it. If you want to include copies 25-year-­ old­ men serving, or having event when they read what of articles from newspapers, served, missions. you have written? make a photocopy first and place • Ordain young men to the office in • Write people’s full names. the photocopy in the journal. the Aaronic Priesthood appropriate • Describe things in a way that (Newsprint contains chemicals to their age. ◼ captures the “manner of life, that bleed onto other pages.) ◼

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NEWS OF THE CHURCH Church Announces New Mission Presidents and Missions

in Africa and Asia

Each of these three new missions he Church has announced 168 In January, the Church also will be created by realigning bound- Tnew mission president assign- announced the formation of three aries of existing missions and will ments, effective July 2016. The names new missions: the Democratic be operational on or before July 1, of the new and returning mission Republic of the Congo Mbuji-Mayi­ 2016. The Democratic Republic of presidents in the Africa West Area Mission, the Nigeria Owerri Mission, the Congo Mbuji-Mayi­ Mission will are listed below: and the Vietnam Hanoi Mission. be created from a division of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mission Current President New President Kinshasa and Democratic Republic Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan West Marcel Gueï David Hamand of the Congo Lubumbashi missions. The Nigeria Owerri Mission will be Ghana Accra West Norman C. Hill Robert H. Simpson created from a division of the Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission. Nigeria Benin City Akingbade A. Ojo Alexander A. Odume The Vietnam Hanoi Mission Nigeria Enugu Freebody A. Mensah Francis O. Nmeribe will be created from the Cambodia Phnom Penh Mission, which for sev- Nigeria Lagos Richard K. Ahadjie Cornelius O. Tay eral years has included Vietnamese-­ speaking missionaries who serve in Nigeria Owerri New Mission Solomon Ijoma Aliche Vietnam. ◼

Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Nigeria Owerri Mission Mission (new)

Owerri Umuahia Bandundu Democratic Kindu Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Mbuji-Mayi Yenagoa Mission (new) Port Democratic Harcourt Republic of the Nigeria Port Congo Lubumbashi Harcourt Mission Mission Lubumbashi

April 2016 A5 New Temple Presidency for the Accra Ghana Temple Adapted from Mormon Newsroom article

Accra, Ghana— New Temple Presidency of the Stephen L. and Vanessa J. Graham Accra Temple of The Church of Jesus recently began their service in the Accra Christ of Latter-day Saints. From Ghana Temple as temple president and left, row one: Sister Victoria Antwi, matron, respectively, responsible for Sister Vanessa J. Graham, Sister overseeing the daily operation of the Annelies Margitta Assard. Row two: President Frederick Antwi, President temple. Stephen L. Graham, President “We both feel very humbled and Philippe Gyr Assard honored to come here to serve the wonderful Saints of West Africa in the house of the Lord,” said President Graham. Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are sacred buildings in which we receive instruction about the purpose of life and our relation- ship to God. There, we take part in religious ceremonies that reach beyond mortality, both for ourselves and in behalf of deceased ancestors. We also make promises, called “cov- enants,” to serve God and others. This is not the first time that the Grahams, from Provo, Utah, USA, have served the members of the Church in Ghana. President Graham was presi- dent of the missionary training center in Ghana from 2012 to 2014. He also served as a mission president (Tahiti, 1984–87), chaplain (Brigham Young University–Hawaii, 2015), bishop, high

Accra Ghana councilor, and temple ordinance worker. Temple Sister Graham was born and raised in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, prior AFRICA WEST AREA LOCAL PAGES LOCAL AREA WEST AFRICA

to moving to the United States. Both President and Sister Graham speak Voices of Youth and Primary English, French, and Tahitian. from Cote d’Ivoire President Graham continued, “Together with the counselors in the temple presidency and their wives, we desire that the affairs of the temple I know that Jesus Christ is the might always be conducted in such a Son of our Heavenly Father and manner that all who come to that holy that He lives. He healed the sick place will feel the presence of the Spirit and sacrificed His life for our sins. and be taught from on high.” He has given me a family that I Assisting the Grahams as first love very much. counselor will be President Frederick Blon O. G. A., age 11, Agoueto Ward, Antwi, and as matron’s assistant, Sister Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire Victoria Antwi. President Antwi has served as a bishop and a member of a stake presidency. Sister Antwi has served as a leader in the Primary I know that Jesus Christ loves and Relief Society. The Antwis come me. He is my Savior. from Yamoransah, Ghana, and speak Jesus loves children and blesses English, Fante, and Twi. They have them. served a full time couple mission. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

President Philippe Gyr Assard will Yao N. C., age 5, Agoueto Ward, Abobo serve as second counselor, and his West Stake, Abidjan/Côte d’Ivoire wife, Sister Annelies Margitta Assard, will serve as a matron’s assistant in the temple. The Assards are from Abidjan, Ivory Coast. They also lived for a time I know that Jesus Christ died for in Germany, where Sister Assard was our sins and was resurrected after born and raised, and President Assard three days. worked as a mechanical engineer. The When He was on earth, Jesus Assards speak French, German, and Christ raised the dead. English. President Assard has previ- Jesus Christ asked us to do good ously served in various Church assign- things and respect our parents and ments including patriarch. Sister Assard our fellow men. has served as stake Relief Society pres- Niambe A. A., age 4, Agoueto Ward, Abobo ident. Together they have also served West Stake, Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire a full-time­ couple mission. ◼

April 2016 A7 AFRICA WEST AREA HAS LAUNCHED ITS OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE!

Please share with family and friends. Be sure to “like” the page!

FOLLOW—SHARE—INSPIRE I am woman to become a good wife grateful and a virtuous mother in future. ENGLISH: https://www.facebook. to our I therefore urge all young wom- com/The-Church-of-Jesus- Heavenly en to complete all the activities in Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints- Father and this manual in order to be ready Africa-West-Area to Jesus for their future homes. I thank all FRENCH: https://www.facebook. Christ for the my presidents for the help and com/Christ-des-Saints-des- sacrifice He support they give me. I also thank Derniers-Jours-Afrique-de- made to save my bishop and his counselors. Louest us, for His gospel, and for all the My favorite scripture is Doctrine missionaries and the work they do. and Covenants 24:7–­8, which I am a young woman who is teaches about our service in Zion. VISIT AREA WEBSITES! preparing to go to the Relief Society. It also teaches about the patience I have a great testimony of the Book we must have in difficult times. Africa West Area Websites: of Mormon, not only because of its We must endure to the end with English: africawest.lds.org truthfulness but also because of the a constant faith in God. French: afriquedelouest.lds.org true principles it teaches. Personal Kouadio A. L., age 17, Agoueto Ward, Mormon Newsroom Ghana: Progress prepares each young Abobo West Stake, Côte d’Ivoire www.mormonnewsroom.​ com.​ gh​

Mormon Newsroom Nigeria: www.mormonnewsroom.​ org.​ ng​ ◼ I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, because the study of this book helps me as a CALL FOR ARTICLES member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ Saints. Your local pages section is produced I love the Book of Mormon by members in your own area under the guidance of the Area Presidency because it strengthens my faith in so that it can address the needs and Jesus Christ. By reading this book experiences of members where you I learn to become like Nephi, the live. The inclusion of the local pages son of Lehi, who always obeyed By obeying the principles men- in each issue depends on the avail- his parents and the Lord. My favor- tioned in this book, I will be blessed. ability of local content. We invite you ite scripture is Moroni 10:32. In the name of Jesus Christ, to contribute your faith-promoting­ I know that God lives, that Jesus amen. ◼ thoughts and experiences by contact- ing your local editor: Christ is His Son, and that the Book Zady A. C. A., age 13, Lamé Ward, of Mormon is true. Côte d’Ivoire [email protected] ◼ ENGLISH—AFRICA WEST

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