"The more we will teach and will preach with the Book of Mormon, the more we will please the Lord and the greater our power to speak will be"

Hello all.  Well, this is it, my last week as a full-time proselyting missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It has been two years in the making, but as I will mostly likely have a chance to write next week, I will stay out of the sobbiness of the final mission words.

This has been another excellent week.  Not exactly easy, as perceived by most, but excellent nonetheless.  There have been many lessons learned and much patience gained and exercised.  I’ll not get too much into that today as I don’t have much time.

As I was thinking about what I was going to write today, I was sure that I wanted to bear my testimony of the mission experience.  I have also been asked to teach a lesson at our Zone Training Meeting tomorrow, and so I got on pondering about both subjects.  As of yesterday, Sunday, I still wasn’t quite sure.  But during the third hour of Church (and after studying the chapter again after the fact), it was quite clear what I needed to speak about.

Yesterday, for the third hour of Church, we studied chapter 10 of the Ezra Taft Benson manual.  I have been looking forward to studying this chapter since I received the manual in January.  Our discussion was slightly under enthusiastic in my personal opinion, but I still learned.  Thankfully, when we got back to the apartment, I had some time after lunch to go through and study the whole chapter again.  Here are a few quotes (or rather, roughly translated paraphrases from the French text) that I LOVED:

"There is a difference between a person who has constructed his conversion on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and who holds fast to the iron rod and someone who has not done that." (Hint: this may be a teaser for my homecoming talk depending on my assignment)

"We need to be convinced and engaged."

"I have the following conviction: the more we will teach and will preach with the Book of Mormon, the more we will please the Lord and the greater our power to speak will be" (Now THAT is a prophetic promise!)

"... We have all the resources and the world needs this book.  So act now!"

"I have the vision of the entire Church drawing closer to God in respecting the precepts of the Book of Mormon.

"Yes, I see the Book of Mormon flooding the earth."

These are just a few of my favorite quotes.

Like I said, ever since reading this, I have felt inclined to share this both in my blog post today and in my Zone Meeting lesson tomorrow.  To confirm this, Elder Yamapia, our Zone Leader, called me last night to inform me of the topic he wanted me to share.  He said, "Well, we all know you're an old missionary now.  How 'bout you just share your testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it's helped you throughout your mission, etc."  I was like, "I testify of that revelation" and then proceeded to explain that that was what I had already been planning for.

I will close with a brief testimony of this sacred book.  Many people persecute members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because we put too much emphasis on the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible.  Well, let me share one thing with you all: The Book of Mormon is just as much the Word of God as the Bible.  THAT is an eternal truth that God himself has declared, and as such, I give my personal witness before God, angels, and men.  

I KNOW that this book is true.  Alma, Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni were just as much prophets of God as Moses, Isaiah, Daniel, Samuel, and John the Baptist were.  These formers' words were just as inspired by God as the latters'.  I'm sorry that I'm a bit cut short by time today, but I testify that the Book of Mormon is the driving force of the work of God today.  He loves this book, and so do I.  I invite all of you to read and study it, to ponder it, and to pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ to ask Him if it's true.  I share this testimony and this promise with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Bringing the World unto Christ: A Testimony of the Book of Mormon

Bringing the World unto Christ

A Testimony of the Book of Mormon

by Elder Preston Jenkins

For several years now, the "Book of Mormon" musical has been sweeping through many US cities, finally making its way to Jacksonville this week.  I have heard many things about it including it’s well written and its fictional plot follows two Mormon missionaries in Uganda, Africa.  As a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in Benin and Togo (West Africa), I have been called to share God's restored truth with this blessed people.  I can testify from mine own experiences of the power of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ coupled with Holy Scripture and prayer to change people's lives not only here on earth but for eternity.

During my nearly two years of service here in West Africa, I have come in contact with many people whose lives have been so touched by their faith in Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon.  I once had the opportunity to have a private conversation with a middle-aged man whom I have been privileged to call a friend.  During this conversation, he recounted to me his life story.

Not many years ago, this man's native country, Ivory Coast, was engulfed in civil war.  My friend was caught in a firefight and took a bullet to the upper thigh.  Immobilized and unarmed, he soon found himself on death's doorstep with a pistol up to his head.  Speaking of this, he said to me, "I had never before, nor have I since, prayed with more strength for God to save my life and spare me."  Miraculously, my friend was left to live, but his leg was proving to be eminently more fatal.  He was able to crawl out of the middle of the road and find aid and shelter offered by kind-hearted, charitable people.  He explained to me that ever since that day, he had been looking for why God had spared him.  Why such mercy?  What must he accomplish?

As he was recounting this to me, suddenly my friend's voice lowered and, marked by tears, he said, "Elder Jenkins, I know why God spared my life.  He wanted me to find the truth, and I found it!  This is why he gave me my life!"  I marveled at this mighty change in him as I saw him walk almost 4 miles on hand-crutches for our Church services every Sunday.

A second example is a young man who has become a very close friend of mine.  He was very devoted to his childhood church, yet he graciously accepted my missionary companion and I in his home.  He accepted our message with an open heart and a curious mind.  When he received the Book of Mormon, he studied it fervently seeking for truth.  Through prayer and the power of the Holy Ghost, he received an answer from God that this book was true.  One day, he exclaimed to us excitedly and passionately, "I've learned more in studying the Book of Mormon for two weeks than I did in eight years of seminary in my childhood church!"

I share my testimony, with these two shining examples, of the power and light that is contained in the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon coupled with the Bible gives us the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In this book, we learn of Christ (2 Nephi 25:26), and His doctrine (2 Nephi 31).  We learn of mighty examples to follow (Alma 48:11-13, 17).  We learn that ancient prophets have seen our day (Mormon 8:34-35).  This book truly was written for our generation, and though these ancient prophets have long left this earth, they speak unto us with a voice like a "whisper out of the dust" (Isaiah 29:4; Moroni 10:27).

I know through mine own personal witness that the Book of Mormon is true.  I have seen the power of God manifest among the people in Africa.  Hearts have been touched, lives changed, and communities lifted.  I know and testify that all who receive Jesus Christ and the fullness of His gospel will be blessed and received in God's kingdom.

I invite you to ask yourselves, "Have I read and studied this book with humble and sincere consideration?  Have I given this book the in-depth investigation and spiritual quest it merits?"  If you have not, I invite you and urge you to do so.  The Lord's formula is simple: read, ponder, and pray in faith to ask God in the name of Jesus Christ.  If you follow this pattern, God will reveal the truth of all things unto you (Moroni10:3-5).  I testify of this and promise you that it is true because He has done it for me.

I invite you to visit mormon.org where you can chat real-time with real Mormon missionaries.  On this site, you can also contact real Mormon missionaries in your area.

As a witness and representative of Jesus Christ, I pray that all who view the "Book of Mormon" musical remember that the book is always better.

Note from Mom: This is a letter that Elder Jenkins wrote for our local paper, The Florida Times Union, in response to The Book of Mormon Musical coming to town.  The letter that was published was very heavily edited by the paper, but it can be found here: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/letters-readers/2015-02-03/story/lead-letter-actual-book-mormon-better-musical 

If you have questions, you are always welcome to contact him here via the blog and I will forward it on to him or you are welcome to write to him directly at preston.jenkins@myldsmail.net .

Conversion unto the Lord

Mountains to climb!

Hey everyone!  So the internet connection today has been one of the worst that I’ve had in my time in Africa.  I was planning on writing to lots and lots of people today, but it might just have to wait until next week.

So I just wanted to share my testimony this week that Heavenly Father really does answer prayers.  Last week, when I wrote home, I had been going through a bit of a rough patch.  I just wasn’t feeling the Spirit of this work like I have before and I know I can.  I have been continuing to do my best to remain faithful and loyal to my God, but I just got overwhelmed with the fact that I have to be patient with myself and that I can’t master every commandment at the moment all at once.  Conversion to the Lord takes time, but this was a principle that I was just unwilling to accept or that I just didn’t understand at the time. However, after much prayer and meditation this past week, Heavenly Father truly opened the windows of heaven to pour out blessings and understanding to me.  Yes, I still have not mastered the principle of personal patience, but God has given me many instances this past week that have let me know that He is still there and that He has not forgotten me.

So in my personal study this week, I was reading 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  On Friday and Saturday specifically, I studied chapters 15 and 16 respectively. While I was reading these chapters, the Lord blessed me with understanding just as I had prayed.  My whole life I have known what the “Gathering of Israel” means, and I know that this is what I am doing now, but after reading these two chapters, including many, many cross references throughout the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the Doctrine and Covenants, I really began to understand specific events and meanings represented as symbolism in the scriptures, especially in Isaiah.  Every scripture that I looked up had a unique meaning and explanation, many of which led me to have more questions that were answered as I searched more scriptures.

Needless to say, these two experiences left me so happy.  Enveloped in the Lord’s light, both Friday and Saturday were amazing days. Everywhere I went I just felt God’s love surrounding me.  Saturday was especially good with the baptism.  We had three baptisms (Bella, Bruno, and Kossi).  Bella and Bruno are sister and brother, and Kossi is Bruno’s friend that lives just down the street.  All three of them, while only being in their teenage years, have already made some great changes in their lives thanks to the Restored Gospel.  At the baptism there were about 20 baptisms, as we had a collective baptism for several missionaries in Togo.  The Anfamé Zone Leaders were able baptize two families of six people each, as well as several missionaries with one or two baptisms.  It was a great service as well!  The Spirit was there and it was amazing to see so many people enter into covenant with God.

From the baptismal service.  It was packed in there!

Our baptismal service on Saturday, 1/18/14.  From left to right: Elder
Rasolonantenaina, Kossi, Bella, Bruno, me, Abel (member)

Haha yeah we decided to have fun with some of the pictures.

Another one from the baptism.

As I have reflected on these two days, I have seen the goodness of God reflected in my life.  I am such an imperfect being.  In every moment of my life, I need to seek the Lord’s help, because without Him I am nothing.  Trying to fix things by ourselves in this life will only lead to sadness and confusion, if not in this life then definitely in the future.  The mission has already changed me greatly.  I am on the life-long path of conversion to the Lord and His Gospel, but I have so much to learn and to perfect.  Patience truly is a virtue and a Christlike attribute, and I pray everyday that I can have more patience with myself and with those around me.

As for the work here in Baguida, Togo, it is progressing well.  As previously stated, we had three baptisms this past week that successfully took place.  We have others that are progressing towards baptism, especially those that are finding solutions with their problems with the dowery.  I am very hopefully that Luc and Vicky can get everything sorted out so that they able to be baptized on Saturday the 25th because they are very ready for it.  Other than that, we have some that are struggling with keeping commitments, namely coming to church and praying, and prayers in their behalf would be greatly appreciated.  There are many good people here, but the church is still small and the Gospel still relatively unknown.  Ours is the task to take this light to the whole world, but just as this light takes time to grow in ourselves, it takes times to grow throughout the world. However, the Lord is hastening His work like never before and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a true servant and an instrument in His hands.

I love you all so much, and I pray that we may all search to feel God’s love in our lives.

Avec amour,
Elder Jenkins

A man was working with us on Sunday and was complaining
that his feet were hurting as we were walking to a mangez-vous.
So I just picked him up and put him on my back.
However, when we tried to take pictures, he got so ashamed himself and
wouldn't show his face!!!  Hahaha made for some good laughs.

Couldn't even get him to show himself while walking

 

 

 

 

Someone finally tried pulling his face, but he was sooo resistent.
Made for many laughs hahahaha.

Typical African stove.  Filled with charcoal and they just put the
pots directly on the charcoal.  Luckily in our apartments we have gas stoves.

The game we played after dinner Sunday evening.  We did it
tournament style, and I did 11 in the untimed preliminary, 10 in the
one minute quarter-final, 8 in the 30 second semi-final, and then I
won with 9 in the one-minute final!!!  Elder Kunz was my competition
in the final, and just lost with 8, even though he got 12 in the
untimed prelim.