So, main things this week: I got called to be District Leader (DL) of the new Korle-Bu District - same area, just split the Lartebiokorshie District and made me DL of the new one. Still training Elder Nembaware, though I use that term loosely as he's hardly in need of training; haha. He's doing great. Second thing is that Rahel has been interviewed and is ready for baptism, which will be this Saturday! Hopefully we can also get a hold of Ophelia and work things out and have her baptized as well (she's the girl from February; she started showing up to Church again, but work caused her to miss last Sunday).
A lot happened, we got 5 at Sacrament, so we're trying to find out what we did right before and are not doing now to get 10+ there, and I think it's the teaching of families, so we're working on that. Raymond Folami is having a hard time; his church just opened a new branch in Dansomon (sounds like a Digimon; haha) near here, and is really struggling with what his fellow members will say. However, we did have a wonderful lesson with him on Sunday. After some time, we asked him if he believes the Book of Mormon is True. He thought for a little bit, and finally said "Yea, I know it's True. Deep down in my heart I always new it was true, from the beginning. It's just hard to stop all the other commitments I already have." So, for him, he knows these things are true; he just needs the strength to follow them and do what he knows he needs to do. It was funny, he mentioned that anyone who understands the origins of the Bible should have no problem accepting the Book of Mormon. His reasoning was that "Nothing just comes as it is; a chair isn't just a chair, it comes from materials and is made a chair. The Bible wasn't made as the Bible; it was written by many ancient prophets, and countless years later people took the different writings and made the Bible. If people understand that, then they should have no problem accepting that this was done by God in another land; He doesn't change, so why would He do something different among different people?" We really liked his reasoning; it was some of the most logical I've heard in all of Ghana.
A lot happened, we got 5 at Sacrament, so we're trying to find out what we did right before and are not doing now to get 10+ there, and I think it's the teaching of families, so we're working on that. Raymond Folami is having a hard time; his church just opened a new branch in Dansomon (sounds like a Digimon; haha) near here, and is really struggling with what his fellow members will say. However, we did have a wonderful lesson with him on Sunday. After some time, we asked him if he believes the Book of Mormon is True. He thought for a little bit, and finally said "Yea, I know it's True. Deep down in my heart I always new it was true, from the beginning. It's just hard to stop all the other commitments I already have." So, for him, he knows these things are true; he just needs the strength to follow them and do what he knows he needs to do. It was funny, he mentioned that anyone who understands the origins of the Bible should have no problem accepting the Book of Mormon. His reasoning was that "Nothing just comes as it is; a chair isn't just a chair, it comes from materials and is made a chair. The Bible wasn't made as the Bible; it was written by many ancient prophets, and countless years later people took the different writings and made the Bible. If people understand that, then they should have no problem accepting that this was done by God in another land; He doesn't change, so why would He do something different among different people?" We really liked his reasoning; it was some of the most logical I've heard in all of Ghana.
The main thing though, that the title of this blog comes from, is the faith of Emmanuel Dzotefe. We've been teaching him for some time now. He and his wife (well, they aren't truly married; he's only done the "knocking" for traditional marriage, which means he's allowed to court her. Still working on the bride price) have been facing really hard times. He's been out of a job for over a year, and having to make ends meet by working odd jobs, and taking loans from people. Due to this, he's in some real financial trouble - one problem is that his landlord is requiring payment in a very large amount (details not needed here) and is threatening to kick him out by next week if not received. When we met him, he was unemployed and often drunk to ease the pain. We introduced the Book of Mormon to him, taught him how to pray properly, and invited him to the Church; we also extended the promise from God that is he did those three things - read, pray, come to Church - God would provide for him and help him with his problems he's facing. He started reading from the Book of Mormon, and he got enough money to come to Church. He came to Church, and the next day he was approached by a friend who should have been at work but got off for some random reason and was told that he should go see this guy about a job. He went, and got a job. One day at Church, and Emmanuel got a job. It's been a long and hard road, but at this point he is now reading every day, is praying all the time, and coming to Church each week. We met him the other day, and even though he's still about to be kicked out of his house, he said something that really surprised us, and amazed us.
We asked Emmanuel how the Book of Mormon has helped him in his life. He said that, before, he's been so worried about life in general. When will he eat, where will he sleep, how will he do this, how will he take care of that? He hated himself, and was always depressed, and drank a lot because of that. His life was just bad, and he always worried; he said he often wondered if life was even worth it. But ever since he met us, and started reading the Book of Mormon and coming to Church, he has no worries. He looks at everything as just something that he needs to face, and knows that, like everything else, it will pass, and life goes on, better than before. He said "Now, I don't worry. I'm just leaving it to God and waiting for some kinda miracle."
His faith was amazing. I felt the Spirit emanate so strongly from him. He was faced with some of the deepest depths of hopelessness - debt, almost insurmountable - and was completely lost, but now he's free. He's still faced with massive problems, but he says he knows God will do what is best for him and his family; all he has to do is stay strong and keep reading and attending Church. His faith is truly amazing; he truly is putting everything he has into the Lord's hands. Elder Nembaware and I were amazed beyond belief at how faithful and strong he is.
This is the power of the Lord. This is the power of the Spirit when we do the Lord's Will. This is the power that comes from reading the Book of Mormon. We are given the faith, the strength, the hope, the love to endure all things. The Book of Mormon and the principles taught within shed a light upon our lives that is so brilliant and so glorious, there is no degree of darkness, no depth of despair, no state of hopelessness that it cannot penetrate. It is the Word of God. It testifies plainly and clearly of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It teaches all men what we must do to have peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come. We will find hope, we will find joy, we will find purpose when we read the Book of Mormon.
These things are amplified to a state of overwhelming joy when we attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is the Lord's Kingdom, once again established upon the earth. It is the fulfillment of Paul's prophecy, "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him" (Eph. 1:10). This work is being done now; Christ is gathering His people, and all things His prophets have ever, are now, and will ever write, and He is bringing them into His one fold, even the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Read this article. It will help explain the power of the Book of Mormon, and why we have it. Attend Church; you will feel a spirit of peace and joy unlike you've ever felt before. You will learn wonderful things in the classes there. "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:4).
These things are True. I have seen time and time again the Restored Gospel change people's lives for the better, in ways that can only be labeled as miracles. These things are True! If there are any among you who doubt, who fear, who cry, who weep, who are broken-hearted, who are downtrodden, who are sick, or afflicted, or poor, or needy; if there are any among you who are in any need, whatsoever, come unto Christ and be healed! Read the Book of Mormon and know your Savior better than you ever have before! Come to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - even just for a visit! - and feel the Spirit that is there. It is God. This is God's Only True and Living Church. This is God's Work. This is the path, "this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen" (2 Nephi 31:21).
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). The invitation is extended to us all. Come, receive Christ in His fullness, and know that He is our Savior, our Redeemer, the Only Begotten Son of God.
I know these things are True. I testify of them with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.
Even so, I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
--Elder Collings
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