Church News and
Events
Elder Bednar: Church in
Africa Is “Vibrant and Growing”
By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News assistant editor, and
James Dalrymple
Elder David A. Bednar and his wife, Sister Susan R. Bednar, pose
with members in Gabon,a sovereign state on the west coast of Central Africa.
Photo by James Dalrymple.
“The Church is vibrant and
growing in Africa,” said Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during his recent visit to
the Africa Southeast Area.
There is an eagerness and
light in the eyes of the African Latter-day Saints, he said. “This is a place
where many people live challenging, difficult lives. They don’t have many of
the temporal comforts and blessings that people in the Western world have. Many
of these Saints are grateful to have one substantial meal a day. Yet because of
the gospel of Jesus Christ, they have great light and hope. I learn a great
deal from the people every time I visit the African continent.”
Elder Bednar and his wife,
Sister Susan R. Bednar, traveled to Africa October 23 through November 6. They
met with members and missionaries as he conducted a review of the Church’s
Africa Southeast Area and visited Gabon, a sovereign state on the west coast of
Central Africa.
Elder Bednar was
accompanied on the assignment by Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Debbie
Christensen; Bishop Gérald Caussé, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, and his wife, Sister
Valérie Caussé; and members of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency and their
wives.
Leaders, members, and
missionaries in Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa; Lubumbashi, and
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Libreville, Gabon, received
uplifting instruction from the Brethren and their wives.
“Africa is an enchanting
and inspiring place,” said Elder Bednar. “Africa is diverse and complex. There
are highly industrialized and sophisticated communities and rural and simple
villages. The gospel of Jesus Christ gathers all kinds of people into the
gospel net. Even though there is a common strong faith among the Latter-day
Saints, there is also a remarkable diversity.”
Elder Christensen, on his
first visit to Africa, stated the area was “quite different, quite diverse,
quite broad from any other place we have been in the world. As we mingled with
the Saints, we observed strong faith and spiritual depth.”
Elder Christensen said
members have a desire to bless and watch out for one another, which “is a
natural extension of the Savior’s gospel.”
Africa is one of the most
rapidly growing areas of the Church. Referring to that growth, Elder Bednar
mentioned that a stake president in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has an
unusual weekly challenge in sacrament meeting—finding enough time for confirmations.
During a recent meeting, 18 new members were confirmed.
“That is a wonderful
problem to have,” said Elder Bednar. There are places in Africa where full-time
missionaries are not currently serving, but stakes continue to be created and
develop because of member missionary efforts. “Finding people to teach is not a
fundamental problem in Africa. The challenge is making sure there are
sufficient priesthood and auxiliary leaders to support the growth so the Church
can be unified and strong.”
Bishop Caussé, visiting
Africa for the first time, indicated that the Presiding Bishopric is indeed
aware of the growth in the area. Their efforts focus on making sure members
have enough meetinghouses and the temporal help they need in order to move the
work forward.
Elder David
A. Bednar speaks to members during a visit to South Africa.
Photo by James
Dalrymple.
Some may measure the
maturity of the Church in an area by the number of meetinghouses, how large the
congregations are, or the tools available. “The maturity of the Church is to be
found in the hearts of people. In Africa I find a very mature Church,” he said.
“The family is the center of the gospel, evidenced by the way these people live
the gospel in their homes.”
Elder Bednar reported that
the members asked “spiritually significant questions,” especially the youth,
who posed profound and penetrating questions focused on the temple. Elder
Bednar found that where local Church members are diligently preparing for a
temple, such as in the DR Congo, there is abundant faith.
“This is a land, a people,
and a place of great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “You can feel it
as well as hear it when these Saints pray and when they sing.
“These members have a
simple faith that is uncluttered. It is focused on Christ. And it brings many
blessings and spiritual gifts into their lives.”
In closing, Elder Bednar
affirmed, “Every time I have an opportunity to come and witness what the Lord
is accomplishing among the people here, it is thrilling for me. Africa changes
me.”
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