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AREA PRESIDENCY MESSAGE The First Vision By Elder Vern P. Stanfill Area Presidency Elder Stanfill

n the tops of the Rocky Mountains splendor have been restored in the marvelous First Vision, and the orga- I in Montana, the four seasons are spring here as well. The flamboyant nization of the restored Church. I very pronounced and have become trees are rich with orange blossoms. don’t think it is coincidence that the an important part of my life. Spring in New growth on bougainvillea and Savior chose this time of year for these the Rocky Mountains is a particularly other flowering plants is stunning events to occur. They all represent splendid time of year. The grass grows against the clear blue sky. The red beautiful beginnings and a restoration green and trees devoid of leaves dur- dust of the long Harmattan winter has of spiritual life to all mankind. ing the winter once again take on their been washed away by the life-giving­ When Joseph Smith walked from cloak of beautiful splendor. Mountain rains of spring. Colors seem more his home to the peaceful grove of trees wildflowers whose beginnings have vibrant and beautiful. It is like looking through fresh green grass and new been hidden in the frozen ground also through a freshly cleaned window. wildflowers, kneeling in the midst of a spring forth to bloom in a carpet of So many beautiful events in the spring of new life, little did he realize wonderful colors. Waterfalls cascade history of man have occurred during that the restoration of spiritual life to down tall peaks as the mountain snow this precious time of year: the birth the world was about to take place. The begins to melt, bringing beauty and of the Savior, His Resurrection, the world had fallen into a spiritual winter life to valleys below. Mountainsides devoid of correct thinking and spiritual previously brown and sterile become Each time I read progress. For centuries the life-­giving tapestries of remarkable color and life. Joseph’s descrip- light of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its Animals native to the area have their tion of the events purity and completeness had vanished young in the spring so that they may of that day, my from the earth. spirit is renewed be prepared for the oncoming winter, Each time I read Joseph’s descrip- by strong spiritual which is only a few months away. It tion of the events of that day, my spirit feelings. is wonderful to see them play in the is renewed by strong spiritual feelings. meadows and fields of a newly born As you might imagine, Joseph had the landscape. opportunity to recount these events in Western Africa is much differ- many different situations and to many ent from the Rocky Mountains of different people. The accounts as we Montana. However, the spring here know them vary slightly but the truths also shows the promise of new life. taught by the vision are fundamental As I have looked closely, beauty and and are emphasized in Joseph’s telling

September 2016 A1 of the experience. Perhaps I can describe some of the wonderful truths learned on this precious spring day. It is helpful to quietly read Joseph’s account of the First Vision: “After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an aston- ishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction. Joseph’s vision teaches the world “But, exerting all my powers to call anew the true nature of God the upon God to deliver me out of the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, power of this enemy which had seized for he saw two Personages. upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction— enemy which held me bound. When two Personages. God the Father and not to an imaginary ruin, but to the the light rested upon me I saw two His Son appeared, resurrected and power of some actual being from the Personages, whose brightness and glorified. Restored understanding of unseen world, who had such marvel- glory defy all description, standing ancient scripture once again taught: ous power as I had never before felt in above me in the air. One of them “So God created man in his own any being—just at this moment of great spake unto me, calling me by name image, in the image of God created he alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly and said, pointing to the other— him; male and female created he them” over my head, above the brightness of This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Genesis 1:27). Our potential as spiritu- the sun, which descended gradually ( Joseph Smith—History 1:15–17) al sons and daughters of a loving father until it fell upon me. Joseph’s vision teaches the world becomes apparent because we are cre- “It no sooner appeared than I anew the true nature of God the Father ated in the Father’s image. Being cre- found myself delivered from the and His Son, Jesus Christ, for he saw ated in the image of God means more

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LOCAL NEWS than a physical likeness—it also means divert us away from a true course to having characteristics of the Father. The our Heavenly Father. The Obong of First Vision teaches us of divine capac- When reading the account, it is Calabar, His ities and spiritual potential not taught easy to feel the love that our Heavenly since the early Church established by Father and His Son have for all of us. In Eminence, Edidem the Savior. the midst of spiritual confusion, once The Father introduces His Beloved again they provided a way, a path, Ekpo Okon Abasi Son. This helps us understand the a sure plan to return to Them. Their Otu V Graces relationship between the Father and love for us is so complete and perfect the Son. It is not difficult to see the that They will never leave us to our Calabar Nigeria love and trust that our Heavenly own insufficiencies but rather guide Father has for the Savior. Further us carefully back to Them. It is diffi- South Stake latter-day­ revelation teaches of the cult to imagine a Father more patient Conference Savior’s roles as Creator of the earth, and kind or a Son more obedient and By Brother Edem Edem Jehovah, Savior and Redeemer of loving, as They strive with mankind to Stake Director of Public Affairs the world, and our Advocate with bring to pass our eternal life. the Father. I believe that new life came to the he Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, We learn through Joseph’s account world on this beautiful spring day in TEdidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, about the adversary and his desire to 1820. The spiritual landscape of the the Grand Patriarch, the Treaty King, prevent the gospel of Jesus Christ from world changed. Beauty was restored and Natural Ruler of the Efik Kingdom being restored. The exaltation of all of to the earth never again to be taken. graced the Calabar Nigeria South Stake God’s children rested upon the resto- It was as though mankind could once Conference held on Sunday, May 22, ration of the gospel, its doctrines and again look through a newly, perfectly 2016. sacred ordinances. Perhaps most of us cleaned window into the eternities The Obong, represented by five tra- have felt the influence of the adversary seeing with perfect clarity the true ditional rulers—three Etuboms and two in our own lives when we are on the nature of our Heavenly Father and His Otu-Ekong­ (Obong’s warriors)—arrived verge of spiritual enlightenment. It is perfect Son and Their plan for us. at the University of Calabar International not unusual to hear a subtle promo- I testify of the truthfulness of the Conference Centre and listened to all tion of feelings of inadequacy when First Vision. The Spirit has born wit- the talks and concluding remarks by the we are presented with a new spiritual ness to my soul of this truth. I bear presiding authority, Elder Frederick O. challenge, or the taunting of continued testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Akinbo of the Seventy. feelings of unworthiness and hope- He saw God the Father and His Son The Etuboms were His Royal lessness after we have repented. While and followed the direction of the Son Highness Etubom Bassey Okor Bassey Joseph’s experience was dramatic, it to restore the perfect gospel upon the Duke (Chairman, Etubom Traditional is not so different than our own expe- earth. This is my solemn witness. Ruler’s Council), His Royal Highness riences as the adversary attempts to In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼ Etubom Ntiero E. O. Effiwat, and His

September 2016 A3 The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu with his entourage and leaders of the Church.

Royal Highness Eso Ita Adim IV. The He added, “The talks were spiritu- Elder J. K. Chukwuemeka Igwe, Obong’s warriors were Otuekong ally encouraging and the prayers too. an Area Seventy, as they paid him a Emmanuel Bassey Asuquo and We look forward to attending your courtesy visit in his palace in Adiabo Otuekong Asuquo Nyong Edet. activities. We are happy because the Ikot Mbo in Calabar Municipal of Commenting on the conference, Church appreciated our presence. We Cross River State. the Obong commended the Church are very thankful to God. We have The stake conference saw the for recognizing the throne of Efik heard all that the speakers said and division of the Calabar Nigeria Stake, Kingdom: “The Palace of the Obong we are encouraged.” thus creating from the Calabar Nigeria commends you for recognizing the Efik Last year the Obong had met Stake the Calabar Nigeria South Stake. throne and we shall continue to partici- leaders of the Church, led by a It was well attended and members pate in your activities,” maintaining that member of the First Quorum of the were excited about the growth in the he was uplifted by the various talks. Seventy, Elder Edward Dube, and Church and especially in Nigeria. ◼

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Archbishop Speich Meets with Latter-day­ Saint Leaders

is Excellency Archbishop Jean-­ their respective faiths and a desire to They talked on subjects of com-

H Marie Speich, Apostolic nuncio promote the teachings of Jesus Christ. mon interest such as strengthening (an ecclesiastical diplomat represent- “We are very pleased that His the family, helping the less fortu- ing the Holy See) in Ghana, met with Excellency, Archbishop Jean-Marie­ nate, and the blessings of Christian leaders of the Africa West Area of The Speich, the Apostolic nuncio from the service. The Archbishop was par- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day­ Holy See to Ghana, accepted our invi- ticularly interested in the good that Saints on May 17, 2016, including tation to visit the Africa West Area office comes from LDS young single adults’ the Area President, Elder LeGrand R. and Accra Ghana Temple site,” said missionary service. He was very Curtis Jr. Elder Curtis. “We share a brotherhood interested in the benefit that comes Meeting in the Africa West Area in Christ and meet as friends,” com- to the young people from such ser- administrative offices, both leaders mented Archbishop Speich. Elder Curtis vice. He also spoke of his efforts as a found they have much in common, noted, “Our meeting is an opportunity young parish priest to take the mes- including a lifetime of commitment to to build bridges of understanding.” sage of Christ to the people in their

Archbishop Speich takes a walk around the Latter-day Saint Accra Temple grounds.

September 2016 A5 here in Africa, and have been very impressed with the caliber of mission- From left : Elder John Koranteng, Elder LeGrand Curtis, Jr., Archbishop Jean Marie Speich, Monsignor Kocic, and Elder Yirenya-Tawiah. Archbishop Speich aries they see coming to the MTC. receiving a statue of Christ from Elder Curtis. “[When we served] in Europe about 95% of the missionaries were from North America, and [when we homes—not just waiting for them to Savior sharing their personal convic- came here] we were surprised to see come to the church building. tions and testimonies of the Savior’s to see how many missionaries came Archbishop Speich was accom- work for mankind.” from the continent of Africa. There panied by Monsignor Renato Kucic, Catholic and Latter-day­ Saint doc- are 80-100 new African missionaries Second Secretary and Deputy of trines share a number of similarities coming every three weeks, and it’s Mission. Other Latter-day­ Saint lead- regarding marriage, the family, and the just astounding to see how they are ers who joined in the discussions complementary roles of mother and fulfilling their own need for mission- were Elder Daniel Yirenya-­Tawiah father in bearing and raising children. aries in Africa so shortly after the and Elder John Koranteng, both Area Protecting the rights of churches and gospel has been introduced here,” Seventies (an Area Seventy is a local individuals to discuss and promote says President Brubaker. ecclesiastical leader assigned to super- these beliefs in a world where such “[These missionaries are] coming vise other Church leaders in specific values are vocally and even legally chal- from lots of different countries with geographic regions). lenged is a cause that unites both faiths. lots of different languages, and that’s When describing the meeting Both Archbishop Speich and Elder a challenge. In Nigeria alone there between Elder Curtis and Archbishop Curtis agreed to continue their friend- are 26 to 23 major dialects for mother Speich, Elder Koranteng said, “I saw ship through continued association in tongues, and if you are to take all of two powerful ambassadors of the the future. ◼ the countries in West Africa, there will be hundreds of different languages so most of them can’t understand each other in their mother tongues, but MISSIONARY they’re very patient and helpful with each other.” The typical stay for missionaries Now It’s Africa’s Turn! that do not have to learn a new lan- New MTC President Excited by Great Future Ahead guage is three weeks. “Each class is divided down district lines. Usually cott McDonald Brubaker, 63, The Brubakers, who reside in the we have 10 missionaries in a district. S along with his wife, Rebecca Dutch Canyon Ward, Midway Utah The majority of the missionaries will Patterson Brubaker, arrived in Stake and have previously served serve in their own country’s language January to serve as President of as the President of the Belgium/ (English or French), but we do have the Ghana Missionary Training Netherlands Mission, are enjoying a few that are learning the other. For Center in Tema the challenging and fulfilling work instance, you may have someone from

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the Ivory Coast going to go to Ghana on a mission, then they have to learn English and it’s a six-week program. If they don’t know either English or French, then we have to decide which base language they fit into and put them in the district with the same basic language and help them to learn the new language. of things they can do to help them because if they have to leave early “With the growth of the church in be good missionaries, and then there and go home to repent it’s very hard Africa the demand for more mission- are also a number of things they can on their self-esteem. aries is increasing dramatically and the do to help them adjust to missionary “A large part of what we see at the MTC in Ghana is quickly outgrowing life. It’s obvious that they need to be MTC is missionaries having to adjust its capacity. Every three weeks we prepared to meet the standards of to missionary life. If the missionary have what we call an ‘intake’ (when being a missionary. Missionaries need has never been away from home, it’s we receive our new missionaries) and to come to the mission field worthy almost always a harder proposition for will receive somewhere between 60 to and that’s not always the case. It’s them when he gets here. Missionaries 90 missionaries. so much easier [to have taken care who have had the opportunity to “We are very close to capacity of any problems] before they come, be around diverse types of peoples, now. We plan to be at the maximum throughout the year. The new MTC is going to be a big change. Right now we can house up to 104 missionar- ies. The new MTC will accommodate around 340 missionaries. You will see from the graph that this year we will push past the maximum line. There is demand that we can’t fulfill. “Already there are 41 North American missionaries who will be trained in Provo by the August intake. We won’t receive them here. They will enter the mission field from Provo and go directly to their African assignments.” When discussing the preparation young people who anticipate filling President and a mission should undertake President Sister Brubaker Brubaker stated, “There are a number

September 2016 A7 PRIMARY CHILDREN’S VOICES FROM SIERRA LEONE VISIT AREA WEBSITES! religions, age groups, and converse My favorite scrip- with them seem to have a leg up on ture is 3 Nephi those who spend all their time with 18:21. It says, “Pray in your their friends and never talk to a dif- families unto the ferent group. It’s important to talk to Father, always in varied groups or types of people, par- my name, that ticularly adults because by and large your wives and your children may they’re going to be teaching adults. be blessed.” If they can converse with adults, it’s —Frederick R. A., age 6, Lumley Ward, Freetown Stake going to be very helpful to them.” Africa West Area Websites: When asked what he saw as the I’m thankful English: africawest.lds.org challenges going forward, President to our Father French: afriquedelouest.lds.org Brubaker replied that there is a con- in Heaven for cern that growth will exceed available bringing my leadership. “But from the worthiness family to the I see in these young people there is temple. This has a huge pool of leadership coming been the dream of our family for several years. I’m up. They are just amazing and will happy we’re sealed for time and all be wonderful leaders.” eternity. I know that the Church is In conclusion President Brubaker true and that Jesus is the Christ. I summarized his impressions since love the scripture Job 14:14. coming to the Ghana MTC in this way, —Marrietta F. H., age 10, Dwazark Ward, Freetown Stake “In the early times of the church there was a great movement in England when thousands were baptized. This I have a testimony on family home was followed in our day by a great evenings because movement in South America when my family always thousands were baptized. But now, feels the Spirit it’s Africa’s turn, and we will see thou- when we hold sands upon thousands baptized in our family home Africa with exponential growth. The evenings. It makes us happy and number of missionaries will easily helps us be kind to each other. I double in three years. We’re so excited know this Church is true and that Mormon Newsroom Ghana: we have a living prophet, President that we can be a part of this thrillng www.mormonnewsroom.​ com.​ gh​ Thomas S. Monson. time in this locality of the restoration —Joseph A. T., age 10, Congo Cross Mormon Newsroom Nigeria: of the gospel.” ◼ Ward, Freetown Stake www.mormonnewsroom.​ org.​ ng​ ◼ ENGLISH—AFRICA WEST

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