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AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGE Easter Can Teach Us and Change Us By Elder Terence M. Vinson First Counselor, Africa West Area Presidency

s the world contemplates Easter, I wonder bear our sicknesses, our suffer- Ahow many really understand that this sea- ings, our infirmities, and our dis- son is a celebration of our salvation. The Savior’s appointments in order to enable Atonement is the means by which we are saved from us to grow and to be reconciled the effects of both physical and spiritual death. This to our Father. We knew then saving was an essential component of the plan that that there would be suffering in we all embraced prior to coming to this earth. But order for this to happen. For us, it the Savior’s Atonement which would provide this was not to be an easy life where salvation would also provide an enabling power for everything goes just the way we us to develop, with God’s help, beyond our own want. There would be opposi- ability. “The Atonement is fundamentally a doctrine tion and hardship. But we also knew our Father’s Elder Vinson of human development, not a doctrine that simply Firstborn. We knew His qualities; we knew His erases black marks” (Bruce C. and Marie K. Hafen, trustworthiness; we knew His love for us; we knew Belonging Heart: The Atonement and Relationships He would not fail us. with God and Family, 79). “There must be opposition, or opposites, in all As all of the spirits of the sons and daughters of things. Bad is the absence of good. Darkness is the Heavenly Father were gathered together, our Father absence of light. Sorrow is the absence of joy. How presented His plan. It was a plan for our progress, could we ever understand warmth if we never expe- growth, and education. He saw that we needed ex- rienced cold? God is the author or provider of light, periences to enable us to reach our potential and so life, truth, joy, and good. The adversary can provide gave us the opportunity to accept or reject it. Lucifer only the opposites because he takes away. He can opposed the plan and argued that we should be provide darkness (the absence of light), death (the “acted upon” in our earthly experience in order to absence of life), falsehood (the absence of truth), have us molded to the desired form, rather than to misery (the absence of joy), and evil (the absence “act for [our]selves” and to develop according to our of good). The devil actually provides nothing; he desires. God made it absolutely clear that it is a crit- just sees to it that all who cooperate with him are ical element of the plan that all people must “act for devoid of the blessings that God does provide. The themselves and not be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26). unrighteous may not be miserable according to their Lucifer’s plan would not require a Savior, but rather perspective, but they do not know real happiness” a ruler to act upon us. (D. Kelly Ogden, Andrew C. Skinner, Verse by Verse: We, who have now received bodies, rejected The Book of Mormon, Volume 1 [2011]). Lucifer’s plan. We determined that we would Lehi taught his son, Jacob: “For it must needs instead follow the plan of our loving Father. His be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not Firstborn stepped forward and offered Himself as so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness the one who would atone for our mistakes and could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness,

April 2015 A1 neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. in the which I have suffered the will of the Father Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in all things from the beginning” (3 Nephi 11:11). in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must He then ministered in incredible love to the needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, Nephites, blessing them and their children, heal- nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor ing their sick, and reaching out in absolute love misery, neither sense nor insensibility. Wherefore, it to them. Indeed, there is no other who has loved must needs have been created for a thing of naught; God and others as the Savior did and does. His wherefore there would have been no purpose in example brought about the true definition of the the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must word charity, being the pure love of Christ. needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal Our responsibility, then, is to follow His example; purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and it is to live our lives in such a way that we, too, can the justice of God” (2 Nephi 2:11–12). be reunited with our Heavenly Father and the Savior. So, knowing that we could not remain innocent Our celebration of Easter should not simply be a and redeem ourselves in such an environment, the desire to have another holiday or to enjoy an Easter Savior offered Himself to save us because of His feast, but rather a vivid reminder that we are to learn love for His Father and for us. It should not surprise more of the Savior and of our Heavenly Father’s plan us that these are, then, the two great command- which we embraced so confidently prior to coming ments which He has taught us to follow, both by to mortality. It should be a recommitment in our de- His precepts and His example, in order to be truly sire to both love God more and to love others more. happy. Just as He did, we must love God and we Our prime responsibility is to God and to the must love our fellow man. His love for the Father is covenants and commandments He has given us. such that He endured even more than He thought We should yearn to partake in His sacred ordi- He could, as implied in His self-­introduction to the nances. Our second responsibility is to help others Nephites: “And behold, I am the light and the life of in every way, but especially to assist them to know the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup of God’s plan for them and us. Both we and they which the Father hath given me, and have glorified will then grow in joy, happiness, and confidence the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the presence of God. ◼

OUR HERITAGE

missionaries came, they found “You Have Come at Last!” multiple congregations eager By Elizabeth Maki to be baptized virtually the day hen the first LDS mission- encountered the Church in one they arrived. Waries arrived in Nigeria way or another had been writing Anthony Obinna had been in 1978, there was very little Church headquarters in Salt Lake writing Church headquarters for need for proselytizing. For more City, Utah, requesting literature several years by the time Rendell than 30 years, Nigerians who and missionaries. When those and Rachel Mabey and Edwin

A2 Liahona and Janath Cannon sought him Mabey later wrote. He found program for the next day’s ser- Some of the out a week after their arrival one set of doors labeled “LDS” vices was already carefully writ- early members in Nigeria in November 1978. and another labeled “Missionary ten up on a blackboard. A copy of the church The two senior missionary cou- Home.” “It was a curious experi- of the Doctrine and Covenants in Nigeria ples set off in a cab from Port ence encountering the name of and several copies of the Book Harcourt with only a general our own Church,” wrote Mabey, of Mormon were available for idea of their destination. Like “where no missionary had ever student use, and shelves were many in Nigeria, Obinna lived in before set foot.” stacked with old issues of the a numberless house on a name- The missionaries found the Ensign and Church News. less street, but the missionaries area filled with people, but not It took a couple of hours for knew his village, county, and Obinna. Upon learning who their Obinna, who had built up this state from the letters he had visitors were, Obinna’s son went place over 13 years of waiting, written. After a three-­hour ride in search of his father while the to arrive and finally shake hands including several stops to ask for missionaries explored the church. with someone prepared to bring help, they turned down a road The Mabeys admired the him The Church of Jesus Christ lined with banana and palm trees small chapel with its neat blue of Latter-day­ Saints in full. that ended at a small church. door and shutters, then explored “Near the roof in blue letters the classroom which doubled as An astonishing discovery were painted the words, ‘Nigerian an office in the other half of the More than a decade earlier, Latter-Day­ Saints,’” Rendell building. In the classroom, the Obinna had had a dream in

April 2015 A3 which a man appeared to him Spirit moved me to continue Patience rewarded and took him to a beautiful writing. Many a time in dreams When Anthony Obinna ar- building he had never seen I saw some of the missionaries rived to greet the missionaries before. Obinna was taken of the Church discussing matters on that November day in 1978, inside and shown everything about the Church.” his demeanor was serious, even there. Later, the same dream He continued to write, and thoughtful. Elder Mabey was came again. while his patience was some- struck by how “solemn, gentle, Then, a few years later, times tried, he didn’t give up and dignified” Obinna was as during the Nigerian civil war, on the testimony that had been he entered the small church, Obinna was confined to his kindled inside him. “as though an overt display of home for safety. He picked up “We are not discouraged enthusiasm at such a moment an old copy of Reader’s Digest anyhow but shall continue to might be almost sacrilegious. and was stunned to see the very pursue the practice of our faith Our eyes, however, were moist. building from his dream as the which we have found to be We all felt movingly the richness centerpiece of an article about true,” he wrote in 1976 in re- of God’s Spirit.” the LDS Church. sponse to another letter urging Said Obinna, “It has been “I had never before heard the Obinna to do the best he could a long, difficult wait, but that word Mormons,” Obinna wrote. on his own for the time being. doesn’t matter now. You have “From the time I finished reading “We are very optimistic that our come at last.” the story, I had no rest of mind Lord Jesus Christ will make it Yet even Obinna’s patience any longer. My whole attention possible in the future for the had its limits; when Elder Mabey was focused on my new discov- Church to take more direct ac- told him there were other con- ery. I rushed out immediately to tion. We are well aware that our gregations the missionaries tell my brothers, who were all faith is being tried. We are doing needed to visit and estimated amazed and astonished to hear everything we can to establish that it would be six weeks be- the story.” the truth among so many of our fore they could return to per- It would be another year Heavenly Father’s children in form baptisms, Obinna’s waiting before the political situation in this part of the world.” was done. Nigeria allowed Obinna to get Indeed, Obinna taught the “No, please,” he said quietly, a letter out to the headquarters gospel to his family and had Mabey later wrote. “I know of the Church, so it wasn’t un- amassed a congregation of that there are many others, but til 1971 that Obinna wrote for 71 members by the time the we have been waiting for 13 instructions. He received sev- Mabeys and the Cannons ar- years.” His eyes were filled with eral pamphlets and a Book of rived five months after President longing. “Please, if it is humanly Mormon but was told the Church Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) possible—go ahead with the was not organized in Nigeria and announced a revelation remov- baptisms now!” Elder Maybe re- that, as of that time, there were ing the priesthood restriction counts, “For a few seconds we not yet plans to do so. that had long been an imped- merely sat there looking into “I was totally disappointed,” iment to missionary work in each other’s eyes. ‘Are most of Obinna recalled, “but the Holy West Africa. your people ready?’ I asked at

A4 Liahona TEMPLE EXPERIENCES last. Anthony nodded emphati- the Upper Room of the temple cally. ‘Yes—absolutely yes! They you spent supplicating the Lord Have Miracles Ceased? know, as I do, that the gospel to bring us into the fold. We By C. Terry and Susan L. Warner has been restored, but we must thank our Heavenly Father n elderly gentleman, more than 80 years have guidance and direction. for hearing your prayers and Aold, came to the Accra Ghana Temple with Let us baptize those strongest ours and by revelation has a group of Saints from Nkawkaw where he lives in the faith now and teach the confirmed the long promised alone. The group spent the night in the temple an- others further.’ The Sprit was day, and has granted the holy cillary building, in the rooms available to temple very strong, the man’s goodness priesthood to us, with the power patrons so that they could spend two day serving and testimony clearly evident. to exercise its diving authority in the temple. ‘In that case,’ I said, ‘we will and enjoy every blessings of On the morning of April 27, 2012, the elderly conduct the baptism as soon the temple… There is no doubt man was sitting on a bench inside the men’s dress- as possible.’ that the Church here will grow ing room in the temple, waiting to do initiatory The men decided on a date and become a mighty centre for ordinances. just three days away, and on the Saints and bring progress In a few minutes another man, 54 years old, Tuesday, November 21, 1978, enough to the people of Nigeria came and sat down by him. The younger man had 19 Nigerians were baptized in as it is doing all over the world.” planned to attend the endowment session that the Ekeonumiri River. Anthony morning with his wife and the other members of Obinna was the first. Several years later his ward but had arrived at the temple too late. A branch was soon orga- Obinna served faithfully in He decided to do initiatory ordinances instead. nized for the new converts, the Church for many years, and The older man asked the younger one where with Anthony Obinna as its in 1989 was sealed to Fidelia he was from. president, his brothers Francis in the temple during a visit to “Sekondi,” came the answer. and Raymond as his counselors, Logan, Utah, where their son “Where in Sekondi?” The elderly one asked. and his wife, Fidelia, as Relief was living. Brother Obinna died “In Ketan.” Society president. in 1995, leaving a legacy that was “What part of Ketan?” After many years of waiting not limited to the dozens of fam- ”Where the public schools are.” and hoping, Obinna penned ily members to whom he had “I have children living there,” the older man said. a different sort of letter to Salt brought the gospel. With a growing sense of recognition, the Lake soon after his baptism. “The seed of the gospel younger one looked at him intently and said, “The entire members of which you sowed will grow “You are my father.” the Church of Jesus Christ of into a giant tree,” he wrote to Just then an ordinance worker approached Latter-Day Saints in this part Rendell Mabey when his time to invite the elderly man into the initiatory booth. of Nigeria have the pleasure to in Nigeria was nearing its end. About 15 minutes later, when he had completed thank you and the Latter Day “The Church in Nigeria will the ordinance work, the older one returned and Saints throughout the world surprise the world in its growth. immediately asked, “What is your name?” for opening the door for the The number of baptisms, con- “John Ekow-Mensah,”­ the younger man said. Gospel to come to our people in firmations, and ordinations you “That is my name, too. You are my son.” its fullness,” he wrote. “We are performed in this country show The younger John Ekow-Mensah­ had been happy for the many hours in only a beginning.” ◼ named after both his father and his grandfather;

April 2015 A5 John Ekow- fathers and sons for three generations in a row with the national Council for Civic Education, and Mensah Jnr. had borne the same name. When the boy was Deborah runs a shop. & Snr. very young, his parents’ marriage dissolved and Unbeknownst to the younger John, his father his father left. The boy was four or five years old had made his living mostly as a painter. He had at that time. He and his three younger sisters were lived in Mankesim from about 1983 to 1989 and raised by his mother and her family. John never operated a little shop. From there he had moved saw his father again until that day in the temple. to Ada, near Tema, close to the salt mines. While in But sometimes his mother, when he was misbe- Ada, he met a woman who was living in a building having, told him that he was “a carbon copy” of he was painting. She was a member of the Church his father. and she introduced him to the gospel. He was bap- The younger John grew up and married. He and tized a Latter-day­ Saint in Asunafu, Ghana, in 1991. his wife, Deborah, decided to find a church that Though their paths in life had separated, the they could join together. John was away at school father and his son had both found the gospel. at the University of Ghana in Accra when he saw a Twenty-one­ years after the father’s baptism and Liahona magazine on a shelf. He found himself in- 13 years after the son’s, they were reunited in a terested in what it had to say and noticed the name miraculous meeting in the temple. After that en- of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ Saints as counter, they attended a temple session together the publisher. and then sat in the celestial room together, recon- When John came back from school to his nected their lives, and rekindled their love. home in Sekondi, his wife was anxious to tell him What took the older man away from his family, of a church she had learned about from one of her and why hadn’t he tried to get back with or at least friends. She said it was called The Church of Jesus contact them? The day after the father and son were Christ of Latter-day­ Saints. John told her that this reunited, we interviewed the two men again and, was the church he had read about in a magazine while we listened, the son learned for the first time at the university. why his father had left. In fact, though the son’s John and Deborah were taught the gospel elation upon finding his father had been obvi- and baptized in 1999. In 2009 they were sealed ous—according to Sister Gaye Briellatt, the temple together with the three youngest of their five matron, tears were shed—his joy did not seem children in the Accra Ghana Temple. John works quite complete. Though everything he said and did

A6 Liahona was respectful and proper, he seemed to us not day? What if the younger John had not missed his quite ready to embrace his father wholeheartedly. endowment session? What if he had not decided We wondered if he might still be harboring some to do initiatory work? resentment over his father’s unexplained disap- Observing the radiant faces of the father and pearance from his life. son on that Saturday morning, we remembered But then, as we talked to them both on Saturday, these words of Moroni, which on this occasion the father explained to his son what had happened. seemed almost audible: “Wherefore, my beloved Among their tribe, the oldest matriarch held a sov- brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ereign power. Whatever she required, everyone in ascended into heaven . . . ? Behold I say unto you, the larger family was compelled to do. In this case, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto that matriarch was the grandmother of the elder the children of men” (Moroni 7:27, 29). ◼ John Ekow-Mensah’s­ wife, and she was violently opposed to his marriage to her granddaughter. It was her insistence that forced separation upon this couple and made it hopeless for John to attempt YOUTH & YOUNG SINGLE ADULTS continued contact with his family. Besides, he had to go wherever he could get work, sometimes far away. Telephones were not available in their time What the Atonement and place, nor was mail service. In that culture, means to me expulsion from the family severed all ties. The younger John had known his great-grandmother­ Mary Nwanganga U., as a strong, hardworking woman, but not as the age 15, Ikenegbu Ward, Owerri Nigeria Stake power that had deprived him of all association with his natural father for nearly 50 years. Thanks to my young women We watched and listened as the revelation of the teachers, I have come to know that true story brought the father’s and the son’s redis- the Atonement is the supreme sacrifice our Savior covery of each other to a fullness. The happiness made for us to overcome Death, Adversity and Trials. in their eyes seemed brighter than the West African Knowing how many times I have sinned and sunlight that bathed the green foliage surrounding being assured I can repent when I make a mistake us that morning as we stood together outside of makes me a lot grateful to my Father in Heaven. the temple. Heavenly Father loves us so much that He pro- Though some would call the Ekow-Mensahs’­ vided a way for us to come back to Him. For that meeting a coincidence, we wondered. What if the I am grateful! older John had not moved to a town and painted a house where one of the few Church members Spencer N. Myers, Ntranoa in Ghana lived? What if someone in a Ghanaian Branch, Cape Coast Ghana Stake university had not left a copy of the Liahona in a study room? What if one ward and one branch in As I consider the comprehen- Ghana, six or seven hours drive from one another, siveness of the Atonement of Jesus had not planned their temple trip on the same Christ and His willingness to suffer for my sins and

April 2015 A7 the sins of the world, I come to understand how No matter what I have done wrong, I can be made much He truly loves me and because of that love, clean through the power of the Atonement when I He freely gave His life for me so that I can live again truly repent of my sins. With the healing power of when I die. Also the gift of immortality and eternal the Atonement, there is no sin or transgression, pain life that the Atonement offers me really makes me or sorrow, which cannot be healed. understand the purpose and goal of my Father in With this I have come to cherish that sacred Heaven, which is to bring to pass the immortality and holy offering of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I least and eternal life man. understand how the Lord has been so merciful to Also as I reflect on my own life, I can truly testify me such that my yesterdays no longer hold my that I will forever be grateful for the miracle of the tomorrows hostage. All this is possible because Atonement, which brings healing power to my soul. of the Atonement. ◼

PRIMARY My favorite scripture on the Atonement Calvin B. A., “For behold, I, God, have suffered age 10, Baatsona these things for all, that they might Ward, Tema not suffer if they would repent; But Ghana Stake if they would not repent they must My favorite suffer even as I; Which suffering scripture on the caused myself, even God, the great- Atonement is John est of all, to tremble because of pain, VISIT NEW AREA WEBSITES! 15:13–14: “Greater and to bleed at every pore, and to love hath no man than this, that a man suffer both body and spirit—and Africa West Area Website: lay down his life for his friends. Ye are would that I might not drink the africawest.lds.org my friends, if ye do whatsoever I com- bitter cup, and shrink—Nevertheless, mand you.” glory be to the Father, and I partook Mormon Newsroom Ghana: The Atonement is the sacrifice that and finished my preparations unto www.mormonnewsroom.com.gh Christ made for us. I love this scripture the children of men.” Mormon Newsroom Nigeria: because it talks about the love that I love this scripture because it www.mormonnewsroom.org.ng ◼ Jesus Christ has for us. It amazes and tells me that the Savior has already humbles me to think about this sacrifice borne all my pains and paid the He made for us. It also tells me to obey debt for my sins. All I need to do all the commandments so that we can is to repent and also benefit from His love and be part endure to the of His eternal family. Amen. end, and I will not have to go Maame Afia F., age 11, Kasoa through that Ward 1, Kasoa Ghana Stake pain and an- My favorite scripture on the Atonement guish that He is Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19: went through. ◼ ENGLISH—AFRICA WEST

A8 Liahona