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AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Changes Are Possible through Faith in Christ and Humble Repentance Elder Edward Dube First Counselor, Africa West Area Presidency Elder Edward Dube

uring my boyhood, the Roman God”. I loved peanut butter, even up to everyone. When we begin to repent, DCatholic priest taught me that to this day, I love peanut butter! The we look forward with faith in Jesus repentance is not a casual act. He change from stealing mother’s peanut Christ through the challenges that said that asking for forgiveness for butter was hard but with her help, I lie ahead and experience true joy. the same sins over and over is not the was successful, and it was worth it! Repentance is powerful because it turning around which is expected of What my priest did not tell me was brings God’s power into our lives”1. us in repentance. The priest said this that changing habits is hard. He did The lesson I learnt about repen- to me after listening to me ask for not tell me that the loving Lord will tance as a boy under a tree has to forgiveness for stealing my moth- forgive me each time I sincerely con- a large extent shaped my life and er’s peanut butter several times. My fess to Him. The Lord declared: “Yea, strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ. mother would make peanut butter and as often as my people repent will Enos, son of Jacob and grandson of and place in a big jar. I would sneak I forgive them their trespasses against Lehi and Sariah, learned that remis- in the kitchen unnoticed and scoop me” (Mosiah 26:30). sion of sins comes through faith in some out. I would then shake the jar Repentance is one of the funda- Jesus Christ. We can imagine the so that my mother would not notice mental principles of the gospel of experience of Enos praying all day any was missing. Jesus Christ and a special gift which is Once every six weeks the priest made possible through His Atonement. would visit our little chapel in Necessary changes are made possi- Silobela, Zimbabwe. This was the ble by repenting of sin and cleansing only opportunity we had to partake through the “shedding of the blood of the sacrament. In preparation for of Christ, which is the covenant of the the ordinance, the priest would take Father unto the remission of [my] sins, his chair and sit under a tree and that [I] become holy, without spot” invite us to kneel before him and (Moroni 10:33). It is only through confess our sins. The priest would strengthening my faith in Jesus Christ ask Heavenly Father on our behalf that such enduring, profound repen- to be forgiven of any wrongdoing. It tance is made possible. President was during these occasions that the Russell M. Nelson taught: “Repentance priest told me how disappointed he is a process that is never easy. But its was in me for asking for forgiveness prizes are worth the price! The prizes for the same thing again and again. —including forgiveness, peace of He said, “Edward, do not play with mind, and enduring joy—are available

October 2019 A1 long and throughout the night. He was paid by the Savior. In the Bible our pains, sicknesses, and infirmities began with seconds turning into min- Dictionary, Atonement is described of every kind. Knowing this gives utes, minutes into hours, and hours as follows: “The word describes the me courage that “I can do all things into all day long. Even though the setting ‘at one’ of those who have been through Christ which [strengthens] me” sun had set, relief had still not come. estranged and denotes the reconcili- (Philippians 4:13). I find joy in repent- We learn from Enos that repentance ation of man to God. Sin is the cause ing daily and find that my life is slowly is not a single act and forgiveness is of the estrangement, and therefore the changing and improving to become not an unearned gift. His pleas were purpose of atonement is to correct or more like Jesus Christ. ◼ so important to him that he poured overcome the consequences of sin.”3 NOTES out his soul and sought approval from Through his personal experience, our 1. Russell M. Nelson, “Ministering and Repenting,” general conference leadership his Redeemer. His determined soul Savior knows every pain, affliction, or meeting, April 2019. pressed on without ceasing (See Enos temptation we must suffer. The Savior 2. Russell M. Nelson, “Ministering and Repenting.” 1:1–12). Enos was rewarded with a took upon Himself our sins as well as 3. Bible Dictionary, “Atonement.” remission of his sins through his faith in Christ. Similarly, it was Alma’s fer- vent faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ that liberated him, through CHURCH HISTORY COLUMN repentance, from the “gall of bitter- ness” and the “everlasting chains of death” and replaced them with “mar- Faith-Filled African Pioneers: velous light” and “joy as exceedingly The Would-Be Saints of Ghana as was [his] pain” (Alma 36:18, 20). I am absolutely convinced that it is only “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments through the Atonement of Jesus Christ of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). that we can make necessary changes in our lives as we repent daily. he story of Dr. Raphael Abraham In high school, he was the school Our prophet, President Russell M. TFrank Mensah should be remem- chaplain and later obtained a PhD Nelson has taught us that repentance is bered because of his key connections in theology through correspondence a process of conversion: “Repentance with the earliest beginnings of The from the University of California in the comes when we turn to the Lord Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day USA. He went on to become an inter- with a broken heart and a contrite Saints in Ghana. national evangelist with the Seventh- spirit. Brothers and sisters, that means Mensah was born in 1924 to day Adventist Church. true conversion! Repentance is con- Fanti parents from Winneba, Ghana, His acquaintance with the Church version! A repentant soul is a con- and was born with severe bodily began in 1962, when Mensah was verted soul, and a converted soul is defects. An inspiration to all who introduced to the Church by an English a repentant soul”2. Changes are pos- knew him, he was encouraged by his woman named Lilian Emily Clark. After sible through faith in Jesus Christ and family to convert to Christianity and reading about Dr. Mensah’s appeal humble repentance because the price led a remarkable life dedicated to God. for support in a local magazine, she

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wanted to help. Emily never joined Acclaimed as a “highly continuing revelation that what he was the Church, but she did have Church spiritual man who could doing was truly the Lord’s will. literature and books she was no longer Despite achieving success in grow- using that had been given to her by heal people’s ailments ing their congregation while waiting on sister missionaries while she lived in with prayers” Mensah the Church to be officially recognized Cornwall, England. soon persuaded others in Ghana, problems within the lead- Acclaimed as a “highly spiritual man ership threatened the church because who could heal people’s ailments with to join him in organizing Mensah continued to teach protes- prayers”1 Mensah soon persuaded the Church. tant doctrine while Johnson did not. others to join him in organizing the Johnson, wanting to teach the gospel Church. In Ghana, however, building Six months before meeting with as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ up a congregation presented a finan- Johnson, Mensah had a dream that of Latter-day Saints, found most of their cial challenge for Mensah’s group. He someone named Johnson would be church members agreed with him. prayed in faith but had no success. able to help establish the Church. Seeing the leadership begin to sway The kind of assistance needed was Mensah became aware of Johnson towards Johnson, Mensah demanded not forthcoming from the Church. God through his brother, Isaac Mensah, he should leave and “never come to had another plan for this small group. after Johnson had given him financial the church again.”4 When Johnson left, In 1964, Joseph William Billy assistance through his position of cap- most of the congregation followed him Johnson joined Mensah’s group. tain. After Mensah’s dream, he invited and Mensah joined with a Pentecostal Johnson was a captain of the Army Johnson to meet with him in his home. group. They temporarily reunited to of Jesus in the Aladura Church, a According to Johnson, Mensah keep the converts together and in 1969 position equivalent to the calling of “asked me to pray with him so Johnson left to establish his own con- an elders quorum president in The that the Lord might sustain the LDS gregation of converts in Cape Coast. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Mission in Ghana because he had On June 8, 1978, President Saints. That year, an associate gave been facing trials since he started the Spencer W. Kimball (1894–1987) him some Church tracts. After read- work.”3 While praying, Johnson had a extended priesthood ordination to all ing them, Johnson began sharing the vision in which he saw an unfamiliar worthy males regardless of race. On gospel with others and he wrote to book—the Book of Mormon. When December 9, 1978, Johnson, Mensah, Church headquarters. “He received he asked about the book, Mensah and other pioneers were baptized into from President David O. McKay pulled out a Book of Mormon from the Church. The next day the Cape [1873–1970] encouragement to con- under the bed in the room where Coast Branch was organized with tinue studying the scriptures and to be they had prayed. J.W.B. Johnson as branch president. ◼ patient and faithful until missionaries As Johnson recognized the book could be sent to Africa.”2 in his vision, they both experienced NOTES 1. Emmanuel Abu Kissi, Walking in The Sand: How these two religious leaders a rich outpouring of the Spirit of God. A History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ghana [2004], 14. came to agreement to work together Johnson accepted a gift of a Book of 2. Don L. Searle, “Ghana—A Household of organizing such an unfamiliar church Mormon and the invitation to help Faith,” Ensign, March 1996, 34. 3. Kissi, Walking in The Sand, 16. is linked to a miraculous event. build the Church while receiving 4. Kissi, Walking in The Sand, 18.

October 2019 A3 LEADER’S INSPIRATION Testimony—Share It Boldly Elder Anthony M. Kaku Area Seventy Elder Anthony M. Kaku

ust before the Savior atoned for When he was asked by the council the Lord again. Once again, Peter and Jour sins, the Lord said to Peter at by what name he healed the man at John stood their ground and bore testi- the Feast of the Passover, “When thou the gate of the temple, he responded mony, “Whether it be right in the sight art converted, strengthen thy brethren” “Be it known unto you all, and to all of God to hearken unto you more than (Luke 22:32). the people of Israel, that by the name unto God, judge ye. Peter later grew stronger in his tes- of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye “For we cannot but speak the timony and in his conversion and was crucified, whom God raised from the things which we have seen and heard” very strong in his views of the Savior dead, even by Him doth this man stand (Acts 4:19–20). and he stood by those beliefs. here before you whole” (Acts 4:10). Throughout the scriptures, many He moved all the others along Peter’s testimony stunned the have testified of the Savior and some and we learn in the scriptures how council to the extent that, when they have done so despite the threats to he bore a powerful testimony of conferred among themselves, they their lives. the Savior when he and John were decided to let Peter and John go and Paul was one such person who brought before the council. told them not to mention the name of stood in front of King Agrippa and bore testimony of the Savior and taught His words to the convincing of the king. Festus perceiving that King Agrippa was being convinced, quickly remarked to Paul, “thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” To which Paul replied, “I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness” (Acts 26:24–25). The words of Paul as he shared his testimony touched the heart of King Agrippa to an extent that he said to Paul

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and those gathered “Almost thou Noah and his corrupt priests, they and much prejudice had mounted persuades me to be a Christian” to questioned him on what he had said, against him. He still went ahead to which Paul replied “I would to God, but Abinadi spoke with the power share his testimony “I had actually that not only thou, but all that hear me and authority of God and bore a seen a light, and in the midst of the this day” (Acts 26:28–29). The power powerful witness of the Savior and light I saw two Personages, and they of sharing testimonies! The testimonies of His works. did in reality speak to me; and though of the Saints touch the hearts of peo- Even though they killed Abinadi I was hated and persecuted for saying ple and we must be found sharing our eventually, the priests couldn’t do that I had seen a vision, yet it was true testimonies always. that until he had taught them, and . . . for I had seen a vision; I knew Ammon is another example of he had borne witness of the Savior. it, and I knew that God knew it, and one who was not afraid of sharing his His testimony eventually touched the I could not deny it” ( Joseph Smith testimony of the Savior. He helped heart of Alma, one of the priests of History 1:25). King Lamoni gain a testimony of the king Noah, who was later converted The Prophet Joseph Smith’s testi- Savior. It is recorded in Alma 18:24 by what he had heard Abinadi say. mony helped others to find the Savior that Ammon began to speak to the Alma himself went on to be a great and to follow His example. king with boldness. witness of the Savior and he also shared Many of the early Saints had King Lamoni was strengthened by his testimony with others who were many difficulties, but they were Ammon and what he learned from then converted. moved by what they knew to be true. him such that he also gained a testi- Nephi was another who shared They shared their testimonies to help mony of the Savior, shared what he his testimony despite the opposition others. As you share your testimony knew with his immediate family and he faced in his own family, especially and bear witness of the Savior and His they were converted also. among his elder brothers Laman and works, you touch the hearts of many, Abinadi prophesied that the peo- Lemuel. and it helps them to come closer to ple of King Noah would be taken into Nephi never gave up on sharing his the Savior. bondage, the king and his corrupt testimony despite what his older broth- A sincere testimony enters into the priests were involved in riotous living, ers did and said to him and because of heart of an individual and you may not he laid burdensome taxes upon his his own good examples and righteous- know or see how your testimony has people and all these was to support ness, he was able to help his younger helped people until they later share the way they lived. He put down all brothers Sam, Jacob and Joseph stay their conversion stories. the priests that his father had conse- on the covenant path. The Savior’s work is true, and He crated and consecrated new ones in In the last dispensation, the will continue to hasten His work. We their stead, such as were lifted up in Prophet Joseph Smith always seized can be a part of this work as we boldly the pride of their hearts. the opportunity to share his testimony share the truths that we know of Him When Abinadi prophesied of of the Savior and of the work he had and how these truths have blessed us what was to happen unless they been called to do. He shared his testi- and others. repented, king Noah sought to lay mony till his last breath. May we go forward and continue to hands on him and to kill him. When As he relates in his story of the be true ambassadors of the Savior in Abinadi was brought before king First Vision, he was despised by men the name of Jesus Christ. ◼

October 2019 A5 LOCAL PAGES Two Days with General Authorities in Ivory Coast By Herve Villard Kpole

Members and leaders from all over the John A. Koranteng and Elder Marcel addition, they were taught impor- country received training from Elder Guei, both Area Seventies. tant ministering principles and were Christofferson and his companions on The first meeting held on Saturday invited to put in more effort in their 1 and 2 June at Cocody Stake center in 1 June 2019 at the Abidjan Cocody assignment to minister to others. Abidjan. Stake center, was with members from Elder Vinson led the question-and- hurch members of Ivory Coast Abidjan West Coordinating Council. answer sessions, where local leaders Cwere privileged to be taught There was a priesthood leaders coun- were invited to ask questions about for two days by Elder D. Todd cil meeting, followed by the auxiliary doctrinal concerns and concerns related Christofferson of the Quorum of leaders training meeting. to their assignments and was addressed the Twelve Apostles accompanied During those two meetings, the by the General Authorities present. by Elder Terence M. Vinson of the impressive work made by local The last meeting of that day was Presidency of the Seventy, Bishop Church leaders to help move the with the young single adults. Sister Gérald Caussé from the Presiding Lord’s work forward in Ivory Coast Kay Vinson started by challenging the Bishopric, Elder Edward Dube of the was acknowledged and appreci- members to overcome any situation or Africa West Area Presidency, and Elder ated by the General Authorities. In to achieve any important goal in their

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life, if they rely on the Lord through fasting and prayer, always trusting Him. Elder Vinson encouraged them to always rely on the Lord to choose their future spouses and to hearken to the voices of the Lord’s servants. Sister Kathy Christofferson shared the importance of temples and of temple worship for the Lord and for His people. Then she invited the YSAs to offer a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit to prepare themselves. Finally, Elder Christofferson con- cluded the meeting when he taught that we can always repent to become pure. He added that: “The Atonement of Jesus Christ can transform us. We can be cleansed and be a good influ- “His humility pierced my soul and not mean being totally rich, but the ence and bless our nation through our comforted me. My only desire is to prosperity we are talking about is to goodness.” And he promised: “keep always do my best to get closer to have sufficient means for our survival His commandments and you will Christ. I was enlightened by the answers and also it will give us peace. The Lord prosper”. to the questions posed.” —Bishop Bi loves me personally and knows me as Sunday was the turn of the lead- Youan SergePaulin Vanie, Avocatier well. Fasting, prayer and keeping the ers and of members of Abidjan Ward, Anonkoua Cote d’Ivoire Stake commandments are essential means of Coordination Council. “I am grateful for this opportunity bringing us closer to God.” —Ounleu The day started with a special con- that the Lord is offering me to partici- Kapeube Hermia, Mockeyville Branch, ference for Cocody Stake members in pate in the devotional for young adults Grand Bassam Stake the morning during which important with Elder D. Todd Christofferson. My “This devotional was one of the discipleship and leadership principles faith has been strengthened by these most inspiring among many. I liked were taught. great messages given. During the talks, the way Elder Christofferson helped us More than 3,000 members attended I had confirmation of the great love to recognize the Savior’s ultimate love the meetings during these two days. that the Lord has for me. Our Heavenly and how important we are in the eyes At the end of these events, some Father wants me to have faith in him. of the Savior. The Savior will bless us if members shared their feelings about He wants me to keep these command- we keep His commandments sincerely what they learned from these meetings: ments so that He can bless me where (Alma 37:13). My understanding of “Personally, the arrival of the apos- I am. I understood that when the Lord God’s plan for His children has grown tle taught me a lot. says that we will be prosperous, it does and I have also understood my role

October 2019 A7 in this plan: to be a model so that the who are the prophets. I also know generation that will come after me will that if we allow ourselves to be guided CALL FOR ARTICLES have a sure witness that the promises by the Spirit and draw closer to God of our Heavenly Father are always with faith then He will come closer to our local pages section is produced by members being fulfilled.”—Kouassi Golet Euloge us.” —Yao Géraldine Bekanty, Unicafe Y in your own area under the Alma Jared, Abatta Branch, Cocody Ward, Abobo West Cote d’Ivoire Stake guidance of the Area Presidency Cote d’Ivoire Stake “We were blessed to welcome so that it can address the needs “I learned a lot from the meeting the leaders. Their messages were and experiences of members where you live. The inclusion with the leaders, we must listen to really fantastic. They taught us about of the local pages in each issue the words of the prophet and live the keeping the commandments and depends on the availability of restored gospel. blessings that come from repentance local content. We invite you to “Each of us makes mistakes but and preparing to be worthy for our contribute your faith-promoting­ thoughts and experiences by the choices of our lives are very temple that is under construction. contacting your local editor: important in our youth. When we Above all, they have touched the AfricaWestWebsite@ pray, the Lord always waits for the hearts of all of us because they know ChurchofJesusChrist.org ◼ right time to answer our prayers. how we feel. The prophets are truly He knows what we need. I know called by God.” —Dramou Manuella that God lives, that He speaks to us Pauline, Dokui 2nd Ward, Dokui through His messengers—servants Cote d’Ivoire Stake ◼

AREA WEBSITES

Africa West Area websites: ENGLISH: africawest.lds.org FRENCH: afriquedelouest.lds.org

NIGERIA: www.mormonnewsroom.org.ng GHANA: www.mormonnewsroom.com.gh CÔTE D’IVOIRE: www.mormonnews.ci SIERRA LEONE: www.mormonnewsroom.org.sl CABO VERDE: www.saladeimprensamormon.org.cv ENGLISH—AFRICA WEST

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