AFRICA WEST AREA LOCAL PAGES

AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGES How Does One Rob God in Tithing and Offerings? By Elder Edward Dube Of the Seventy

number of years ago, while said that if he paid that much A working in our garden each month there was no way with a helper, he shared with he would survive. He went on to me a tithing experience he had explain to the bishop about the with his bishop. Brother Silas situation with his immediate fam- Dickson worked for the Church ily, the monthly rentals, children’s as a custodian in one of our tuition, the extended family, and chapels. He related to me how all other expenses. he had responded to an invita- Silas said to me that the bishop tion by his bishop to go into just sat quietly listening to him. his office. After he had finished with his go back to the bishop?” “No,” he Elder Dube Bishop Stanley asked Silas, list of excuses, the bishop said said. Silas explained that there “Brother Dickson, when are you to him, “Silas, I invite you to be was no need to go back; instead going to be a full-tithe payer?” a full-tithe payer. If paying your the bishop called him to his Silas responded, “Bishop, what tithing means that you cannot office and asked how things were do you mean by that? Each pay or meet all those expenses going. He told the bishop that he month I hand you my tithing we discussed, just pay your was doing well and that he had envelope.” Of which the bishop tithing anyway. If after paying since reorganized his time so well responded, “Oh yes you do, but your tithing, you encounter some that he now had extra time to do that is just your contribution, eh, challenges, come and see me.” extra work in many more homes part-tithe. My question is: when Silas related his experience, to earn extra income. are you going to be a full-tithe “Ever since the counsel from my Silas then said to me, “That payer?” Upon which Silas re- bishop, I have been a faithful tithe is why I am here; you recall I minded the bishop that he pays payer. My family and I have been asked you if I could come and tithing every month without fail alright. Sometimes we don’t have help with your garden for a and asked how the bishop could much to eat, but we have enough. reasonable charge?” Actually, this refer to him as a part-tithe payer. More than anything, my trust in was true, Silas had asked to help The bishop then asked Silas how the Lord has been strengthened. I in the garden for few hours each much he was paid and calculated have proven my Lord and I know Saturday, and I noticed that he what 10 percent of his salary was. that the Lord will never let me was also doing the same in other Silas jumped out of his chair and down.” I asked him, “So did you homes at different times.

June 2015 A1 Brother Silas Dickson was rob- knowing what lies ahead. Above robbed me. But ye say: wherein bing the Lord and he did not even all Silas needed to know this great have we robbed thee? In tithes know it. When he realized this, he counsel from President Gordon B. and offerings” (3 Nephi 24:7–8). changed and felt the joy of living Hinckley (1910–2008): Tithing “is Elder M. Russell Ballard of the the principle of tithing and enjoy- not so much a matter of money Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ing the promised blessings. Elder as it is a matter of faith.”2 counseled: “Pay your tithing. The Robert D. Hales of the Quorum The Savior set the pattern by Lord said that He’ll provide, He’ll of the Twelve Apostles taught, His own teachings. Reinforcing make the way, and that was the “Tithing is a test of faith with eter- what the Father taught to Malachi, case with [our family].”3 nal blessings. . . . Tithing develops the Savior defines how tithing I reflect on 30 years ago, sitting serves as a sanctification not with two missionaries, Elders only in preparing us for ordi- Russell Griffiths and James Hall, nances, but also in preparing looking directly into my eyes us to claim, “all that [His] Father as they extended an invitation hath” (D&C 84:38). which continues to be a source The Savior’s teachings in of blessing in my life up to this 3 Nephi truly help us understand day: “Eddie, will you pay tithing that tithing has a greater signif- at the end of this month and for icance than just the payment of the rest of your life?” The law of it: “And he shall sit as a refiner tithing and the blessings of being and purifier of silver; and he a full-tithe payer are immeasur- shall purify the sons of Levi, and able. Indeed, my wife, Naume, purge them as gold and silver, and I will always be indebted to that they may offer unto the these two missionaries who had Lord an offering in righteous- prepared themselves so well to ness” (3 Nephi 24:3). The Lord be able to invite the Spirit into then expresses His concerns that our discussion which helped me we have “gone away from [His] change and embrace this princi- and tests our faith. By sacrificing ordinances” (3 Nephi 24:7). Our ple in a way which added value to the Lord what we may think loving Savior’s pleading invitation in our early marriage as we strug- we need or want for ourselves, inherent in tithing is that it be gled with meager income. The we learn to rely on Him.”1 a truly spiritual experience, an events and experiences which Silas needed to know that invitation to sanctify ourselves have occurred in a very mirac- contributing to the Lord what was and purify our hearts as we ulous way in our lives through convenient to him was not the overcome selfish desires. “Return tithing are too sacred to mention. necessary sacrifice which claims unto me and I will return unto the eternal blessings. He needed you, saith the Lord of Hosts. But Embrace This Invitation to know too that test meant to ye say: wherein shall we return? I invite you to take a serious take that leap of faith without Will a man rob God? Yet ye have look inside yourself. I hope

A2 Liahona you are a full-tithe payer; I hope Elder Dale G. Renlund of the which was extended to me you are not robbing God by not Seventy quotes some prophetic 30 years ago, with a promise paying your full tithes. If you words he heard from President that the Lord will always honor have not yet started, I urge you Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second His promises to His faithful to begin. When you do, you Counselor in the First Presidency: children. Will you pay an honest will realize what it means to be “Our members, wherever they tithe this month and for the rest a covenant person, to keep the may live, will only walk out of of your lives? ◼ vision of eternity continually in poverty and overcome their eco- NOTES 1. Robert D. Hales, “Tithing: A Test of your mind and the value of it nomic challenges when they pay Faith with Eternal Blessings,” Ensign 4 or Liahona, Nov. 2002, 26, 27. in your heart. You will realize their tithes.” With all my heart, I 2. Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Sacred Law what Silas realized through the plead with you my dear brothers of Tithing,” Ensign, Dec. 1989, 4. 3. Russell M. Ballard, “Preparing for inspired counsel from his bishop. and sisters, to live honestly with the Future,” Ensign or Liahona, Sept. 2011, 28. You will realize and experience the Lord in the payment of tithes 4. Dale G. Renlund, “Walk Out of what the ancient and living and offerings. Poverty and Change Your Economic Circumstance,” Africa Southeast prophets have experienced. I humbly extend this invitation, website, May 21, 2014.

OUR HERITAGE

The Lord Provided a Way—Eight Liberian Missionaries Flee War-Torn Nation By Sister Elizabeth Maki

he Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints halt, Elders Marcus Menti and Joseph Myers, zone Twas still in its infancy in Liberia when civil war leaders in Monrovia, determined to go wherever erupted in the West African nation, threatening they had to in order to complete their missions members and branches and devastating an entire and serve as they had been called to do. That country. meant leaving Liberia, so together with the four When the war broke out in late 1989, eight other missionaries serving in Monrovia—Taylor native Liberian missionaries were serving in the Selli, Joseph Forkpah, Roverto Chanipo, and Dave country. By July 1990 conditions were so bad that Gonquoi—they devised a plan. With the help of those missionaries were shuttered inside their Philip Abubakar, a counselor in the local branch homes, unable to preach the gospel and forced presidency and the missionaries’ driver, the elders to risk possible death just to meet with members. planned to travel north to Sierra Leone, cross the There was little food to eat, and it was difficult and border, then continue on to Freetown, where their very costly to obtain fuel for cars. presidency—not native Liberians—had With their work grinding nearly to a complete already been compelled to flee.

June 2015 A3 With gasoline scarce and dozens of checkpoints the Krahn tribe and regularly killed civilians belong- between Monrovia and the border, the plan seemed ing to that group. like a long shot. For Elder John Gaye, a Krahn, the threat was a “Our driver himself was not really convinced very real one. He and Nyanforh were trapped in we would make it,” Menti remembers. “He almost their home for some time when rebels descended at the time said, ‘We can’t make it.’ We encouraged on Paynesville, and Gaye didn’t dare leave, instead and soften his heart over and over again, and he coaxing Nyanforh out to find food. finally realized that we were missionaries and that “They were killing people, so I asked him, I said, we were inspired to do what we had prayed and ‘When I get out there and I die, then you will let the fasted about. We again recited 1 Nephi 3:7 and ward know that this missionary died for this cause,’” were convinced afterwards that we could make Nyanforh later said. He managed to get the mission- our journey.” aries some sustenance and return home safely—but Before they could leave, however, there was only just. a crucial order of business to attend to: Find and “I told him that I would not go out there again bring in the last set of elders in Liberia, Elders John because they killed two or three men, and I was Gaye and Prince Nyanforh, who were serving just afraid to go out and die,” Nyanforh said. “Rebels outside Monrovia, in Paynesville. were walking around, and people were in doom.” After several days the missionaries’ neighbors Delivered from Death planned their exodus. They called for the elders The Liberian Civil War that erupted in late 1989 to join them, and Gaye and Nyanforh did. But as was fueled by a desire to oust a president whose the group was making its way out of the , they preferential treatment of his own tribe, the Krahns, were apprehended by the rebels. had fueled ethnic tensions and prompted unrest in “They came interrogating us—to find out where the country. The rebels thus targeted members of we were from,” Nyanforh said. Gaye remembered that the rebels appeared “as fierce as famished wolves” as they interrogated each person to determine their ethnic origin and other information. But before they made it to the mission- aries, darkness had fallen and the rebels decided to wait until daylight to continue their investigation. “All night long I had been in communion with my Heavenly Father,” Gaye later wrote. “Though I was in an inextricable plight, I was confident of the Lord’s help.” When morning came, the soldiers resumed their questioning. With just one more person to ques- tion before it would be Gaye’s turn, the missionary remembered he “nodded his head and began to imagine paradise.”

A4 Liahona With his companion urging him to “trust God,” “As soon as we were on our way down from the Gaye waited for his fate. But before he was ques- upstairs at the mission home, we met our two miss- tioned, a familiar face arrived. ing elders on the steps,” Abubakar remembered. “It was a Saint who the Lord sent to rescue me After a week in the refugee camp, Gaye and and my companion,” Gaye remembered. “He was Nyanforh—after many days of fasting and prayer a member of the Church and knew that I was one —had felt prompted that morning to leave for of those who had been apprehended, but he con- Monrovia. After eight hours on foot, they arrived cealed my identity to his colleagues.” at the mission home just in time to join their fellow Nyanforh said the soldier was a clerk in their missionaries in their escape to Sierra Leone. branch and recognized the missionaries. The LDS With nothing but a five-seat Toyota Corolla— member told the soldiers that the men were breth- which Abubakar had preserved from theft by remov- ren in his church, and without further question, ing the wheels and battery during the fighting—the the missionaries were released. eight missionaries and their driver set off on their The elders were taken to a refugee camp 13 miles journey. With the addition of the four gallons of gaso- from Monrovia, and it was during their brief stay line they had bargained for, the tank held a total of there that the other missionaries in Monrovia were five and a half gallons (21 L) as they began their trip. planning their escape. The elders sent someone in Menti recalled that most everyone—including search of Gaye and Nyanforh, but by the time the their acting —expressed res- searchers made it to Paynesville, the missionaries ervations about the missionaries setting off with were already gone. so little fuel and such dismal prospects of getting more along the way. Fleeing Monrovia “Some said we would end up pushing the car The six missionaries and their driver began many miles toward the border,” he wrote. “We did searching for gasoline to make their journey and acknowledge their concerns and quoted 1 Nephi eventually traded half a bag of rice for four gallons 3:7, and all of them were reasonable.” (15 L) of gasoline—all the while knowing it would It was less than 100 miles (160 km) to the bor- not be sufficient for the 370-mile (595 km) journey der, but with nine adult men in a small sedan and on bad roads. more than 50 checkpoints at which they would On July 15, 1990, the seven men prepared for be stopped along the way, the odds were solidly their journey. They held a sacrament meeting first against them. However, they set off believing that thing in the morning, then planned to leave for “God [would] provide for His saints.” Freetown. But small delays kept pushing back “En route,” Menti recalled, “Brother Philip, our the start of their journey. driver, observed with amazement the gas gauge It was after noon before they made it to the making no change at all after having travelled mission home to inform their acting mission 14–18 miles (21–29 km). He was very much aston- president of their plans and bid farewell, and ished. We were not, for we knew the Lord would it was 2:00 p.m. before they left the mission provide a way.” home for Freetown. The timing turned out to The missionaries made it to Sierra Leone that be fortuitous. evening with gasoline to spare, and were able to

June 2015 A5 buy five more gallons at the border at the much- “When the road got smoother later, they passed reduced price of $25 (Liberian; about $.30 USD) per by us at a certain checkpoint,” Menti said. “We think gallon; the going rate then was $85 (Liberian; about they were amazed to see a Toyota sedan going $1 USD) per gallon, when any gasoline could be through the bad roads when the Mercedes could found. not. They then told us, ‘You have a good driver,’ When they arrived at the border, the immigra- and they clapped for him.” tion checkpoint had already shut down for the Late that night, after 34 hours on the road, the night, so the missionaries spent the night taking eight missionaries and Abubakar arrived at the turns sleeping in the car. The following morning, home of mission president, Miles Cunningham, yet another obstacle arose. in Freetown. Of the nine men in the car, only three had pass- “After the starved, dirty, tired corps of Liberian ports. Of the remaining six, only two had national elders were fed, they were taken to sleep their ID cards that would enable them to cross the first safe, peaceful night in well over two months,” border. After initially being told they would have wrote Walter Stewart, a senior missionary from the to return to the embassy in Monrovia, they were United States who was also living in the Freetown later called in and told that the immigration officers mission home. would help them because they were missionaries. For the missionaries the move was a monumen- Once across the border, the journey in some tal one. Most had never left Liberia before, but the ways became more difficult, as the roads in Sierra desire to continue their work where they could Leone were far inferior to those in Liberia. At was a powerful one. A month later it was evident one checkpoint the men were told that the next why: With the missionaries assigned to the three 14 miles (23 km) of road were so bad that many branches in Sierra Leone, the rate of baptisms rose cars had wrecked and were stranded along the and the number of branches quickly doubled. way. At some points there were gaps in the road “All that was seriously needed to open the that the car had to be pushed across or lifted over. branches was more priesthood,” recalled Stewart, “In some places where the road was very bad, who also credited the missionaries with being I would order the elders to get down and run after better able to communicate with the locals than me while I drove through the rough part of the the American couples had been, as well as better road,” Abubakar wrote. “I was very careful with equipped to relate to members and investigators. the exhaust pipe and the tires.” They “brought a powerful spirit of faith and devo- Menti recalled having to run after the car for tion to this part of the mission, certainly bred out of stretches as long as two miles (3 km). Along the the agony they have suffered in their beloved home- way they passed several cars stuck on the road, land,” Stewart said. “They are first to recognize the including several models much more expensive hand of the Lord in this modern miraculous exodus.” than their Toyota. Thanks to Abubakar’s care, “We know that the Lord had more work for us the missionaries made it through without getting here in Sierra Leone,” Menti said. “Many areas have stuck. Later, as the faster, less-loaded cars freed been opened to the preaching of the gospel. On themselves and passed the elders, they expressed our journey, though as difficult as it was, the Lord their amazement. provided a way.” ◼

A6 Liahona RELIEF SOCIETY TESTIMONIES

A Happy Family of Tithe Payers By Khadija Balie Cocody Ward, Cocody Stake, Abidjan

hen I joined the Church at because I was only a student and Wthe age of 14, there were had no job; but I soon learned two commandments that became that I could still pay tithe on the so important to me: the law of gifts I received. I started to follow Khadija Balie chastity and the law of tithing. this law religiously. Whenever I at work I had moved from Abidjan received gifts from friends or fam- avid tithe payers. My 80-year- to a town, Bondoukou, about ily members, I would set aside old grandma, though blind and 250 miles (400 km) away, close God’s 10 percent to pay when wobbly on her feet, still walks to the border with Ghana. My I visited the church in Abidjan to the bishop’s office to pay parents in faraway Abidjan were during the long vacation. Soon tithes on the little she receives. members of the Church, but I realized that the more I paid, I am teaching my children to pay I was not. Before moving to the more gifts I received. So from tithes and know that they will in Bondoukou, I met the mission- an early age I noticed the strong turn teach their children to do aries who taught me the gospel. connection between tithes and the same someday. I was soon converted and blessings. I have not looked back I look forward to each month vowed never to break the law since, and the blessings have with excitement, knowing it of chastity and to always pay my been many and endless. will bring another opportunity tithing. It was a little challenging My role models, my sister-in- to experience the Lord’s arm of to pay tithing in the beginning law and my grandmother, are kindness in my life. ◼

A Holistic Approach to Tithing By Dinah O. Chimezie Mbieri Branch, Owerri Stake, Nigeria

n January 1986 my husband and I visited a friend mysteries of God were unfolding them- I who introduced us to two young men whom he selves and enlightening our minds. said were missionaries. They taught us, and my hus- When the law of tithing and offerings was band soon got baptized into The Church of Jesus introduced to us, I personally wondered if Christ of Latter-day Saints. It took me some time to it was the same Bible I had been reading be convinced to accept the , so I over the years. We read about it in Malachi 3:8–12, Dina Chimezie wasn’t baptized until the following year. and I was attracted to the blessings attached to the We were learning the principles of the gospel, law of tithing. I decided to prove God. We also read and as we followed the teachings, many of the 3 Nephi 24:8–12. Here I discovered that God placed

June 2015 A7 a curse on those who would not pay their tithes. Since I desired God’s blessings rather than this curse, PRIMARY I started paying my tithing. We were also taught about offerings which would be used to help the My Favorite Scripture on Tithing poor and the needy. We decided to pay that as well. Brothers and sisters, I want to testify to you Yann E., age 10, Toit Rouge First Ward, Toit Rouge that since I started paying my honest tithes and Stake, Abidjan, Ivory Coast offerings, for 15 good years, I have not had to buy My favourite scripture on tithing is Alma 13:15: “And it was this same Melchizedek to whom anything on credit. I feel as free as air; it has been a Abraham paid tithes; yea, . . . of one-tenth part very big surprise to me how the nine-tenths of our of all he possessed.” income has been sufficing for all our family needs Abraham our father paid his tithes to Melchizedek much better than the days when we kept back the the high priest. That’s why he was blessed with a great people. If one-tenth of our income for ourselves. We also de- we pay our tithing, God will bless us too. cided that we would not ask for fast offering money at any time from the bishop. Ange T., age 9, Abobo Ward, Abobo East Stake, We have actually been enjoying God’s blessings Ivory Coast of good health, peaceful home, increased knowl- My favorite scripture on tithing is Malach 3:10: edge of the truth, and God’s protection. We know “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now that God has been hearing and answering our herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you prayers. We have never, since we began paying the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, our tithes and offerings, lacked food on our table. that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Actually, I didn’t know how to economize our in- I love this scripture because I know that if we pay our tithing, we come, and we often went bankrupt before I learned will have the blessings that the Lord has promised in this scripture. ◼ to pay my tithes and offerings. When I remember that the offerings I pay will be used to help God’s children who are afflicted in one way or another, I feel very happy for helping to ease the burdens of my brothers and sisters whom I may not know. Now I even pay tithes on fruits and vegetables grown in my compound and on my farm. When I harvest cassava, I think of how much it could cost and pay tithes on them. Even though I do not always sell them, I know they are God’s blessings and added income. VISIT NEW AREA WEBSITES! Brothers and sisters, God’s promises are sure. Africa West Area Website: What He says, He will do. He is faithful and just africawest.lds.org to reward us according to the abundance of His Mormon Newsroom Ghana: www.mormonnewsroom.com.gh loving kindness and tender mercies. In the name Mormon Newsroom Nigeria: www.mormonnewsroom.org.ng ◼

of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼ ENGLISH—AFRICA WEST

A8 Liahona