AFRICA WEST AREA LOCAL PAGES PAGES LOCAL AREA WEST AFRICA

AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Fast and Testimony Meetings Elder Edward Dube Second Counselor, Africa West Area Presidency Elder Edward Dube

love fast and testimony meetings! in his tender mercies reached out to called me into his office and said that

I February 5, 1984—my first experi- me through President Allen and the a testimony is a spiritual witness given ence attending The Church of Jesus two other members who bore pure, by the Holy Ghost. He admonished Christ of Latter-­day Saints was a dra- heartfelt testimonies about the Savior me to prepare myself spiritually and matic turning point in my life. I felt Jesus Christ and the . to listen to the impressions I received. the Spirit and did not even recognize I felt the still, small voice assuring He asked that I be prepared to share it, because I did not know the Spirit. me that I was in good company and those impressions rather than writ- The Savior speaking to his disciples those people were my brothers and ing down my testimony as a talk. about this precious gift of a member sisters regardless of our diversity. The He reminded me of my first day at of the Godhead said, “Even the Spirit feeling of being in a servant relation- church when I stood and shared my of truth; whom the world cannot ship, which almost took me out of the testimony. He encouraged me to have receive, because it seeth him not, nei- chapel, vanished. I made up my mind faith and bear my testimony from the ther knoweth him: but ye know him; that day, that this was the church I heart without written notes. for he dwelleth with you and shall wanted to belong to. I accepted this challenging invita- be in you” ( John 14:17). The Lord Following that initial fast and tes- tion. What I did not say to my branch timony meeting experience, I looked president was how difficult it was for forward to each subsequent fast me to compose sentences, let alone and testimony meeting. I would fast express myself in the English language. and take the opportunity to bear my At the fast and testimony meeting testimony. Since English is my second following the counsel from my branch language, I had difficulties expressing president, I stood up and walked to myself during that period of my life. the pulpit. I stood at the pulpit with- Therefore, I would write my testimony out saying anything for what I thought on a piece of paper and read it. After was a full minute. I couldn’t remem- a few months of writing and reading ber the words I had memorized. Since my testimony, my I was told not to read my testimony, I wrote it down and spent the whole week committing it to memory. “Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded Finally, when I could speak, I spoke in heaven for the angels to look upon; and in a haphazard way. The words were they rejoice over you, and your sins are meaningless in my own mind. The forgiven you” (Doctrine & Covenants 62:3). congregation just looked at me in a very strange way. I felt terrible.

April 2019 A1 It took me a few months to gain then as I now know, that bearing a to look upon; and they rejoice over enough confidence to be able to testimony is a blessing not only to you, and your sins are forgiven you” bear my testimony again. After my me, but to those who are touched (Doctrine & Covenants 62:3). unfortunate experience, I resolved by it. A year after the Church was Since that Sunday, whenever I have not to bear my testimony. I did not organized in these latter days, the an opportunity, I bear testimony of the want to embarrass myself. I would prophet Joseph Smith met several Savior and His Atonement. I bear testi- sit and listen to others sharing their elders returning from Independence mony of how the Book of Mormon has testimonies. I watched and listened on the bank of the Missouri River. changed my life through its prophecies to each brother and sister carefully. I Joseph received this revelation regard- and teachings. I felt then, just as I do felt their spiritual witness of the Savior ing the importance of bearing one’s tes- today; peace, comfort and a consis- Jesus Christ, the reality of the first timony: “Nevertheless, ye are blessed, tent desire to change for the better. I vision, and that Heavenly Father and for the testimony which ye have borne feel compelled to share my testimony His Son Jesus Christ appeared to the is recorded in heaven for the angels as a service to others. ◼ boy Joseph. I was inspired by each affirmation that the Book of Mormon teaches and testifies of Jesus Christ and that it is indeed another testa- CHURCH HISTORY COLUMN ment of Christ. On each succeeding fast and testi- Over the years, the Ivorian Saints mony meeting, my motivation welled Temples have been actively engaged in the By Elder McCullough and up from a new and more compel- Sister Christensen family history work that culminates ling source. My soul was hungry for when members take their own family spiritual nourishment. I was like a January 2004 was a great day names to the . In 2013, it was starving man. I couldn’t get enough. 11 for all of Africa West. The reported in the that The sincere expression and the words dedication of the Temple “three of the five Cote d’Ivoire stakes were mellow and soothing to me— brought the important saving ordi- are among the top 25 in the Church more than that, they rang true. Words nances within reach of thousands of in the percentage of adults who cannot express my feelings. It was as Church members in this . Prior submitted family names for temple if I had experienced such a feeling of to this time only a few members had ordinances during 2012. Of all stakes ecstasy somewhere before in a dim been able to attend a temple, either in in the Church, the Cocody Stake has past. I felt the Lord’s love for me and South Africa or Europe. the highest percentage of adults who a desire to want to be better. The Saints in were have, at one time or another, submit- I fought the urge to share my testi- thrilled to have a temple within driv- ted names for temple work.”1 mony each fast and testimony meeting. ing distance to their homeland. Three What has led to this intense effort Then one Sunday as the meeting was buses full of saints made the long drive in Ivory Coast? about to end, I couldn’t hold back. I to participate in the temple dedication There is not one specific answer, stood where I was and declared my as well as the cultural celebration that but perhaps a combination of several own witness of the Savior. I declared preceded. There was much joy and factors. “the things which [I] have heard, and tears were shed as they witnessed a The Akan is the major cultural verily believe, and know to be true” prophet of the Lord dedicate the beau- group of the Ivory Coast. Deep (Doctrine & Covenants 80:4). I knew tiful edifice unto the Lord. reverence for one’s ancestors is an

A2 Liahona AFRICA WEST AREA LOCAL PAGES LOCAL AREA WEST AFRICA Rendering of the exterior of the Abidjan Ivory Coast Temple important part of this culture. There is a belief that the dead are looking after the living. When Latter-day­ Saints learn of the doctrine of the teaching of the gospel in the next life and the vicarious work that takes place in the temples for deceased ancestors, there is an immediate interest. Priesthood leaders have been instrumental in encouraging the Ivorian saints. In preparation for their first visit to the Accra Temple, each member was asked to bring a gift to the new temple. The members brought the gift of family names. For all subsequent trips, members have been encouraged to continue this consultants, and family history centers temple preparation classes are being tradition. have been established. held. In November 2018, the saints It can be very challenging to 5 April 2015, President Thomas S. gathered next to the Cocody Stake identify one’s family names. Written Monson announced in General Center in Abidjan and witnessed the records are scarce. People often live Conference that a temple would groundbreaking ceremony under the away from their ancestral villages. But be built in Ivory Coast. Due to the direction of Elder Neil L. Andersen. members in the Ivory Coast have not difference in time, most of the mem- The members are excited to have a let these challenges deter them. Prayer bers in Ivory Coast did not hear the House of the Lord in their midst. There and fasting have been a part of this announcement live, but heard mainly is great optimism that it will have a work. Visits have been made to meet by word of mouth. Large groups long-lasting­ and powerful effect upon with extended family, especially the gathered in meeting houses later to the people of the Church as well as older generation. Sometimes this has view the rebroadcast. They patiently the nation as a whole. involved travelling into neighboring waited to hear the “Ivory Coast” name. We have been counseled to record countries. The oral genealogies have There was great emotion when they important events in our lives, such as been written down. heard the announcement. Brother the announcement and dedication of In the earliest days, there was Mathieu Brou Baah, a family history a temple. Keeping a personal journal only one computer that was available. consultant exclaimed to all around gives you the opportunity to reflect Pedigree charts were written on paper him, “We got our temple!” There was on those special occasions and see and Personal Ancestral File was the great joy seeing an answer to years the hand of the Lord in your life and software used. Senior couples came of fervent prayers. the lives of those around you. It also to serve as family history - Preparations are now under way passes on to your posterity a wonder- aries and entered the information for the opening of the Abidjan Ivory ful spiritual legacy of faith. ◼ into PAF. Over time, more computers Coast Temple. Leaders are teaching NOTE have become available, wards and the importance of the members being 1. R. Scott Lloyd “Elder Cook Addresses Members and Investigators in Ivory Coast,” stakes have trained family history spiritual self-reliant.­ Firesides and Liahona or Ensign, July 2013, 76–77.

April 2019 A3 MISSIONARY MOMENTS

Spiritual Experience Increases Testimony Brother Uwa Joseph Nigeria Enugu Mission, Nwaniba 2nd Ward, Uyo Nigeria Stake, Nigeria

n this faithful day, Saturday the gospel of Jesus Christ, and each time I and the message of the Restoration. He O14 November, 2015 while serving at read it, I get to learn new things about God testified that the prophets in The Church Lugbe as a full-time­ missionary, my first and I read it frequently” he then turned of Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ Saints are the interview as a zone leader was with a bap- to me and asked an inspired question; Do Lord’s chosen servants in this dispensation tismal candidate named Brother Amada, you know what makes The Church of Jesus and that the living prophet of the church is when I interviewed this young gentle man, Christ of Latter-day­ Saints different from indeed the chosen prophet in our day. I felt the spirit of the Lord and was really every other churches? I replied the “priest- I do know that if we treasure and touched with the testimony of this young hood authority with its keys.” this young take good care of what we have, we man about the message of the Restoration man from this moment made me to know will be richly blessed both spiritually and of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in his own the importance of the message of the temporarily. words he said, “Among all the missionary Restoration and because of the Restoration I know that President Russell M. Nelson lesson pamphlets that has been taught and cometh the priesthood authority. holds all the keys in the priesthood today as given to me, the one I so much love and He further said what he felt was missing it was restored to‎ the Prophet Joseph Smith cherish is the message of the Restoration of in other denominations was the priesthood by heavenly messengers. ◼

LATTER-­DAY SAINT VOICES

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death Brother Iheanacho Charles Ekwonye Ward 2, Umuahia Stake, Nigeria “ eacher! teacher! Please run now they took to my heels as the irate mobs saw me praying. As I prayed, I felt an overwhelm- Tare coming after you,” the student in and started running towards my direction. ing assuring power come over as if to say, a black hijab shouted at me. I couldn’t fig- As I ran and jumped trenches in the bush, “Be still, I am with you always.” I got up ure out why she said that. I was serving as I saw charred and dismembered bodies of and climbed out of the hole and started a teacher in a village in the northern part old and young people. saying these words as I walked aimlessly of the country as a corper in the compul- The mobs chased me for what seemed “though I walk through the valley of the sory national youth service scheme. like ages determined to do their worst. shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Again, the warning sounded and this I fell into a hole and passed out. I must thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff time, all the students in the class ran have stayed in the hole for many hours they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4) then the away leaving me behind. As I came out as it was now dark when I regained sound of a gunshot and flickers of torch of the classroom, I saw large group of consciousness. Minutes later I heard lights interrupted me. people gruesomely hacking some of my voices of people searching for me saying, Thank God! The soldiers came to my colleagues down. “What in the world is “We must find him and kill him! He is rescue. Days later as we went to corper’s this?” I asked only to discover that I was somewhere around here! He is an infidel, lodge to pick our belongings, all had been asking the empty walls and I immediately a Christian!” I was so afraid and started burnt except my Book of Mormon. ◼ ENGLISH—AFRICA WEST

A4 Liahona