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AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Ministering Elder Marcus B. Nash President, Africa West Area Presidency Marcus B. Nash

hroughout His life, the Savior that were afflicted in any manner.” He will heal and strengthen each

Tministered to others one-on-­ one,­ The scripture records that the Savior in every way that matters in time one-by-­ one.­ At the end of His first day “did heal them every one as they were and eternity. with the Nephites after His resurrec- brought forth unto him.”3 Note that Bringing another person to the tion, the people wept when they He they were healed only after they were Savior is called ministering. We bring told them that he had to leave. brought to the Savior, that is, only after another person to the Savior by lov- Seeing their sadness, He called out one took another to the Lord. There ing that person, praying for him or to those who had gathered, saying: were many in those days who needed her, and helping that person to learn “Behold, my bowels are filled with the Savior’s healing touch—and there the word of God from the scriptures. compassion towards you.” Moved are many now. We bring another person to the by his deep compassion, he invited If we bring our fellow members Lord by mourning with one that is them to think of someone in need of the Church to Him one by one, mourning, serving a person in need, and to minister to him or her: “Have and taking that individual with us to ye any that are sick among you? sacrament meeting. We minister by Bring them hither.”1 bringing one to participate in all of His clear and sweet command the ordinances of the gospel (espe- was for one person to bring one cially those of the temple) and help- other person to him. It was not just ing him or her to keep the covenants an invitation to visit, but to actually associated with the ordinances. By “Bring them hither.” Jesus continued: doing these things, we bring the one “Have ye any that are lame, or blind, who we are helping to the Savior so or halt or maimed, or leprous, or that that He can bless that person. are withered, or that are deaf or that We promised the Lord we would are afflicted in any manner? Bring minister one to another when we them hither and I will heal them.”2 His joined the Church and were baptized: repeated invitation was for one to take “As ye are desirous to come into one to the Savior. the fold of God, and to be called The Nephites did exactly as He his people, and are willing to bear invited them to do: “it came to pass one another’s burdens, that they may The scripture records that the that . . . all the multitude . . . did go Savior “did heal them every one as be light; forth with their sick and their afflicted, they were brought forth unto him.” “Yea, and are willing to mourn with and their lame, and with their blind, They were healed only after they those that mourn; yea, and comfort and with their dumb, and with all them were brought to the Savior. those that stand in need of comfort”4

March 2019 A1 “A hallmark of the Lord’s true and living Church will always be an organized, directed effort to minister to individual children and God and their families. Because it is His Church, we as His servants will minister to the one, just as He did. We will minister in His name, with His power and authority, and with His loving-­kindness.” —President Russell M. Nelson

can receive, for the Holy Ghost Others say, “I will think about help- will guide us to all truth, will bring ing others after God blesses me with Heaven’s comfort, will sanctify us, more things.” To think like this is to When we keep this baptismal covenant, and will give us the strength we need put things in the wrong order. The He always keeps His promise to send in both spiritual and temporal things. key to success now and in eternity is His Spirit to always be with us.5 Too many people say, “I will minister to put the Lord first. We are to show To have always have His Spirit to someone else once I have enough Him by our actions that we truly love with us is the greatest blessing we money and more time to do it.” him more than anything else. So, we

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keep the covenants we have made couples have received their endow- families.” His first counselor stated: with Him. Inasmuch as we do so, we ment and are sealed together and to “The joy I saw in the faces of Brother enable Him to bless us in His time, in their families. The other four couples and Sister Tsiagbe and Bro and Sis His way. are progressing and soon will enter Sedzro even as I sat in the sealing We are organized in the Church the temple. They also identified room of the Accra Ghana Temple to help each of us as members of the eleven persons to prepare for the was indescribable. The joy of sealing

Church to minister one to another—as endowment, and three of them have under the priesthood is indeed a testa- well as to those not of our faith. We are now received the endowment and ment of the restored gospel.” organized so that one who is “strong in the seven others are preparing well. It is important for us as a people the Spirit [will] take with him him that I saw them as they were preparing to minister in the Lord’s way, one tak- is weak, that he may be edified in all to enter the temple and their faces ing one to the Lord. An essential key meekness, that he may become strong shone with joy. to make this happen is to participate also.”6 The elders quorums and Relief They asked themselves, “Who regularly in a ministering interview Societies, the youth Aaronic Priesthood will help whom take a name to the with a member of the elders quo- quorums and Young Women classes temple?” They identified recent con- rum presidency, or the Relief Society should be organized to help members verts and youth and assigned their presidency. The ministering interview minister one to another, so that one ward family history consultants to is a time that we sit in council and takes one to the Lord. work closely with the new converts, receive the revelation we need to The leadership of the Adenta 1 st and they organize a monthly trip to help us minister as the Savior would Ward of the Accra Ghana Adenta the Ghana Accra Temple to do bap- to individuals! Stake is making an organized effort tisms for the dead. Brothers and sisters, are you minis- to help the members minister one to They also asked themselves “Who tering, one to another, one taking one another. Just a few months ago, after will take whom to sacrament meet- to the Savior? Are you participating in viewing the Area Plan broadcast and ing?” They are working with the full-­ ministering interviews? I promise that hearing President Nelson’s charge, they time missionaries for the members if you do, you will come to know the decided to identify: (1) who will take and missionaries to coordinate so that Savior and receive a greater portion of whom to receive the next saving ordi- members will take a nonmember to His Spirit. nance; (2) who will help whom to take sacrament meeting. They could also The Nephites who accepted the a name to the temple; and (3) who will have an active member family bring Savior’s invitation to bring someone take whom to sacrament meeting. another member family to sacrament in need to Him learned that it is In their ward council, they asked meeting. those who minister to another per- each other: “Who will take whom to Their bishop testifies: “I know from son that draw closest to the Savior: receive the next saving ordinance?” the bottom of my heart that the gos- “And they did all, both they who The Relief Society and elders quorum pel is restored and that leaders of the had been healed and they who were presidencies identified six couples to Lords’ Church are called of God. And whole, bow down at his feet, and did be sealed and assigned ministering if we sustain them by obeying their worship him.”7 You will notice that brothers and sisters to take them with counsel we will find joy, peace and both the whole and the once-infirm­ them to the temple. As a result, two happiness in our individual lives and together ended up at the Savior’s feet!

March 2019 A3 This is what the Lord and our living power and authority, and with His priesthood leaders in the town, they prophet want us to do: to come to loving-kindness.”­ 8 quickly gathered at the local branch know the Savior. They know that as May we minister to one another, building to counsel together and ask we bring another person to Christ, one taking one on the covenant path the Lord to help them. we will both draw closer to Him and to the temple is my prayer and desire. Elder James Dalton, who along come to know Him. As we do this, we will experience the with his wife Pam, had just arrived in President Russell M. Nelson has Lord’s hand being manifest in our lives Abomosu six weeks earlier as MLS stated: “A hallmark of the Lord’s true individually and as a people. ◼ missionaries, were among the eight and living Church will always be an NOTES priesthood leaders who met in the 1. See 3 Nephi 17:5–7. organized, directed effort to minis- 2. 3 Nephi 17:7. local branch building to discuss the ter to individual children and God 3. 3 Nephi 17:9. situation. 4. Mosiah 18:8–9. and their families. Because it is His 5. Mosiah 18:10. After pleading with the Lord to 6. Doctrine and Covenants 84:106. Church, we as His servants will min- 7. 3 Nephi 17:10. protect the people and to guide them ister to the one, just as He did. We 8. Russell M. Nelson, “Ministering with the in responding to the danger, they Power and Authority of God,” Liahona will minister in His name, with His and Ensign, May 2018, 69. quickly developed their plan: first, they needed to account for all the members of the branch; second, they needed to take inventory of the food CHURCH HISTORY COLUMN sources that were available to them; and third, they needed to distribute the food according to the needs of A Miracle in Abomosu each family. As they discussed feed- Elder McCullough and Sister Christensen ing the local members, they quickly AWA Church History Missionaries realized they could not ignore their nonmember neighbors and friends, n July 2011, the Atiwa District For the small branches of the so they were added to the distribution I in Ghana experienced an unusual Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day­ list as well. amount of rain. After a day or two, Saints, these were perilous times. Their plan was quickly passed on and without warning, the local Their main supply of food was gone, by cell phone to the other branch rivers overflowed their banks and many homes were flooded, and some presidents in surrounding villages. flooded the countryside. This del- were cut off from their families and The goal was to locate every member uge of water turned the village of loved ones. and identify food sources and report Abomosu into an island, as well as Seth Oppong, President of the back in two hours. the adjacent villages of Asunafo and Abomosu District, was in Abomosu Within two hours, the priesthood Sankubenase. The flood not only when the river flooded, cutting him leaders reported back. In Abomosu, isolated these villages, but also off from his village of Asunafo and his all but three members of the branch flooded their farms and swept away small family. As the extent of the dan- had been accounted for (they were most of their crops. ger began to dawn on him and other later found and rescued). The report

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was that there was not much food to the small corn field of Stephen Abu Elder Dalton reflected on the available. Some members had food to see if they could find any more words of the Prophet Elijah to the storage and were willing to share. corn that could be picked. Because widow of Zarephath, “make me Stephen Abu, the former district the flood waters were so high, they thereof a little cake first, and bring it president and current stake patriarch, needed rafts to get to the farm and unto me, and after make for thee and had a field of corn near Abomosu that bring the corn back. No one expected for thy son. was located high enough to avoid much, but when the missionaries “For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, the flood waters. He told the district returned, they had another load of The barrel of meal shall not waste, president that the corn was not ready corn. This little miracle continued four neither shall the cruse of oil fail . . . for harvest, but they were welcome or five times until they were able to “And she went and did according to take whatever they needed. Two find additional sources of food, some to the saying of Elijah: and she, and young missionaries and several mem- of which came from friends and rela- he, and her house, did eat many days.” bers were given the keys to Elder tives and the Church in Accra. (1 Kings 17:13–15) Dalton’s truck and told to fill the truck In talking about the flood and the The Lord is constantly working mir- with corn. When the missionaries efforts made to take care of the peo- acles around us, but we don’t always returned, the back of the truck and ple in Abomosu, Brother Abu said, recognize them at the time. Keeping the back seat of the truck were com- “Isn’t the Lord wonderful! The more a journal of our lives and recording pletely filled with corn. They spent you give, the more he gives back.” the activities of our wards and stakes, the rest of the day, driving through the Both Brother Abu and President provides us with opportunities to village, handing out corn to members Oppong referenced the Savior in feed- reflect and see the hand of the Lord in of the Church and their neighbors. ing the 5,000 as they reflected on how our lives, and how much He blesses That night the priesthood leaders the Lord had preserved them. us day to day. ◼ met again. They had enough corn to feed the village for a couple of days, but how would they be able to feed them after that? They knelt and prayed LOCAL NEWS that the Lord would help them find a way to keep the people from starving. The next morning, another mem- CULTURAMA: A Cultural Event ber of the Church came forward and to Unite Members in the Abidjan said that they had some corn that they were drying to be ground into meal. Toit Rouge Stake, Ivory Coast It was not completely dry, but they could have it to help feed the people. he Toit Rouge Stake Presidency of comprised the stake presidency, Those who had food storage contin- TAbidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, launched a bishoprics and stake officers. ued to help those in need. Several cultural event known as Culturama in Elder Dekaye, Area Seventy, was days later, the two young missionaries August 2018 at the Toit Rouge Stake present and presided over the launch and several local members went back Center. The organizing committee of the ceremony. In his opening

March 2019 A5 remarks, Brother Konan Amani Aime Zion, after which he officially opened to congratulate all the members for Christian, second counselor in the the event. their mobilization in the first edition stake presidency and president of the To close the ceremony, there was of Culturama. He then encouraged organising committee said the objec- a parade of all the seven wards on the ward leaders and everyone to be tive is to “bring all members together the podium, each with its own flag more involved for the upcoming year. on one hand and unite members and and logo and the presentation of the He pleaded for fair play and tolerance leaders on the other hand.” different trophies and medals. during the competitions. A member of the organizing The first competitions began on There was joy and enthusiasm staff, Brother Zoh Didier, said that the same August 4 after the open- on everyone’s face. There were all Culturama is a set of wholesome ing ceremony and continued every age groups: children, youth and games and entertainment that includes Wednesday and Saturday until adults as well as the elderly. Some cultural activities, sports, board games September 15, 2018, the day of the were dancing, while others came and Scripture knowledge and Church final contests and the closing cere- to support their various wards that History Competition. He added that mony of the first Culturama. qualified for the final. The first -com this program will take place through- On that day, both members and petitions of the day were basketball, out the vacations and will bring investigators in the stake, as well as athletics, and football. together all seven wards in the stake. members of other stakes, rushed to At the end of the ceremony, every- Elder Dekaye congratulated the the stake center at 8 a.m. to attend the one was really happy to meet again, initiative and organization of such final contests in the various disciplines. and we could see the unity and close- a cultural event within a stake. He Before starting the competitions, the ness the Toit Rouge Stake Presidency also helped the congregation to see stake president took the opportunity had hoped for. ◼ the link between Moses 1:39 and Culturama. He then encouraged Finalists and winners of the various Culturama 2018 competitions: everyone not to procrastinate what we can do now, but rather to take actions • Basketball (Nouveau Quartier 1st Vs Attecoube): winner → Attecoube like these and rejoice, because that is • Athletics 4 x 100 m relays (Nouveau Quartier 2nd, Attecoube, Sante, the purpose of life. He said that we Abobodoume): winner → Nouveau Quartier 2 nd can do this by using the “five-second”­ • Athletics 100 m sprint (Sante, Attecoube, Toit Rouge 1 st, Nouveau technique, that is, counting to five and Quartier 2) : winner → Sante getting up to do what we have to do. • Football ( Nouveau Quartier 2 nd Vs Kote): winner → Kote “In this way, we will overcome every- • Scrabble (Attecoube Vs Sante): winner → Attecoube thing in life and accomplish greater st things.” After that, he asked the whole • Draughts (Toit Rouge 1 Vs Sante): winner → Sante congregation to stand up and practice • Awale (Attecoube Vs Sante): winner → Sante st this right away. Everyone got up and • Scripture and Church History (Toit Rouge 1 Vs Attecoube): shouted for joy as they jumped after winner → Toit Rouge 1 st five seconds. Finally, he encouraged • Choir Competition (All Wards ): winner → Toit Rouge 1 st everyone to continue to socialize in

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LATTER-­DAY VOICES Miracles in Our Lives Oranye, Chukwunedum Paul Rukpokwu Ward, Port Harcourt Nigeria North Stake

iracles happen. I see miracles all M around me every day! I know it is a manifestation of God’s love for me, my family and all His children. When I met my wife, Pamela, she Brother and Sister Oranye, Chukwunedum Paul was the only member of the Church in her family. When we decided to get married, something seemed an obstacle. I had no money to get all the items listed by her father as require- ments for her bride price. I was a graduate with no job. The little I made from odd jobs here and there was barely enough. I lived in my Father’s house at the time. Faced with these challenges, Pamela and I fasted and prayed to Heavenly Father for help. I knew the Lord through His prophets and apostles have counseled temple. But I did not want to do that and continue to trust in the Lord. that “young people should follow without the consent of her parents. We were married traditionally on the Lord’s pattern of marriage in the After a difficult and trying period, 13 February, 2016, wedded on 2 April temple without waiting for the pay- with the help of other, I began to get and Sealed in Aba Nigeria Temple on ment of a bride price” (Dallin H. Oaks, offers to paint buildings. After three 5 April in the same year. It felt like “The Gospel Culture, Ensign, March painting jobs, I gathered the little I a dream to us. The Lord raised peo- 2012, 45). But Pamela’s father was not had, called on my family and travelled ple who offered to help us with one a member of the Church and saw this to Pamela’s village. Still, things seemed thing or the other. The Lord literally practice as proper traditional rites for difficult and the marriage seemed made it happen. That experience is marriage. After counseling with the impossible. Despair, melancholy and etched in our memories as one the Bishop, I decided to make a move. I anger almost took over my faith, but many of the Lord’s miracles in our love Pamela and wanted to obey the the encouraging words of the leaders lives, a manifestation of His tender Lord’s commandment to marry in the and the scriptures kept me focused mercies towards us.

March 2019 A7 We have been joyfully married for with such practices. My wife and I for time and eternity as the prophets almost three years now in the mercies have decided to obey the Lord. If He has counseled. I see this command- of our Lord Jesus Christ. blesses us with daughters, we will not ment as a blessing to us in Africa. I Passing through that experience demand bride price nor anything sim- have learnt that when we trust in the and hearing the word of the Lord ilar to it during their marriage. We will Lord and obey His commandments, concerning bride price has made us give our consent and blessings and He would flood miracles into our realize that the Lord is not pleased guide them to the temple to be sealed individual and family lives. ◼

MISSIONARY MOMENTS CALL FOR ARTICLES

The Book of Mormon kept me going our local pages section is Elder Nartey Yproduced by members in your Nigeria Benin City Mission own area under the guidance of the Area Presidency so that it can n October 5, 2017, a year and righteous soul who crosses the veil address the needs and experiences Otwo months into my mission will be in a state of rest and peace. of members where you live. The was the day I received news from my As I read, I felt my pain waning inclusion of the local pages in each mission president that my mom had gradually and I continued to read it issue depends on the availability passed on the day before. The pain repeatedly. I was reminded that my of local content. We invite you to I felt was beyond explanation, I was mom was a member of the Church of contribute your faith-promoting­ tempted to tell my mission presi- Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ Saints who thoughts and experiences by con- dent that I wanted to go home. My had gone through the ordinances of tacting your local editor: mission president and wife, being the baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost [email protected] ◼ loving parents they are, asked that I by my hand two years before her stay with them a few days at the mis- passing. That reminder kept me going sion home with hopes that I would be and I left the mission home the next comforted. day to return to proselyting. In the course of my stay, my mis- As I kept teaching the plan of sion president gave me a priesthood salvation to my investigators from blessing and I was prompted to revisit the Book of Mormon, my joy knew some of the scriptures my mission no bounds. Thanks to the Book of president had expounded during one Mormon, I have moved on and am of our zone conferences on the plan almost done with my mission. I am of salvation and so I did. I read Alma more than grateful for the princi- 42:6 that reminded me that death is ples taught in the Book of Mormon inevitable and that “it was appointed indeed, it contains the fullness of the unto man to die.” I also read Alma gospel, for I have received a witness

40:11–12 where it teaches that a of its truthfulness. ◼ ENGLISH—AFRICA WEST

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