"Can you feel so now?"

At the Kazotti's for lunch this morning!  It was soooo good!!!

Wow.  I'm at a loss.  Yet I'm not.  I guess I'm just so happy that I had to take some time to let out a nice sigh.

Anyway, today has been a fantastic day.  After spending the morning in Fidjrossè eating lunch with the Kazotti family and seeing a couple converts, I got some excellent clothing shopping done.  It's been a great day.  Quite exhausting, but great nonetheless.

I LOVE mango season! 

Sooooo.... my pants ripped as I was getting into the taxi.  Luckily we were going to the tailor and she fixed it right up for me!

Mother's Day was wonderful.  We were supposed to watch General Conference for Church, but right aroud 7:30 a.m., the power goes out!  I told Elder Wittig to bring his little speakers and USB to listen.  We started with that at about 9 and got about 40 minutes into the Saturday Afternoon session before a generator got there.  It took a bit to get the generator going, but once we did we were able to watch the whole Saturday session!  Due to the instability of the power coming from the generator, the DVD player started to smoke right after we turned it off, so that kinda vetoed watching the Sunday Morning session, but we're planning on watching it this Saturday evening.

Once we got home, there was still no power.  So we waited, and waited, and waited in order to go Skype our families, but nothing came.  Eventually, we had almost given up when it was 30 minutes before curfew.  To add onto that, our phone was almost dead, so it wasn't like I could just go call my family for 30 minutes.

Finally, after much prayer, the power came on at 7:30 p.m., so I immediately went and plugged the phone in and had a wonderful chat with my family.  I love the Lord and His tender mercies.  Waiting that much longer made it just that much sweeter.

Now, onto my little testimony for today.  There has been one subject that has been occupying my mind for a little while now concerning conversion.  It has been obvious to me for quite some time that conversion to the Lord is obtained first through a testimony of the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ.  However, it has been an interesting experience for me to see the different types of conversion that come based on how these testimonies were received.  This reminds me a lot of the parable of the sower as recounted by Elder Oaks in the April 2015 conference as well.

I have seen testimonies be gained in two ways: 1) through reason and/or philosophy, and 2) through "feeling" a feeling.

My attention has been drawn to this because in the past few weeks, we've had several investigators more explain that they FEEL that we we're saying is true.  One example is the lady about whom I wrote last week.  She and many others have exclaimed how they have FELT that the Book of Mormon is true and how they have FELT that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored Church of Jesus Christ.  My heart has equally been filled with joy and this feeling that it is true as I have heard these blessed people explain their feelings and new-found beliefs.

In my time that I have been here in Africa, I have had the chance to meet many members of the Church.  Many have had their feet set firmly in the gospel sod.  They let their faith guide them through the many, many trials that the Saints face here.  They do things intentionally and truly seek after the Lord and His kingdom.  They firmly believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth today.

Some members think that the Church is a good thing for them.  Some simply like what is said during the meetings.  Some just because their frineds are there, and others because they receive help from other members of the Church.  These are not necessarily bad things, but they are certainly not the right reasons.

The difference that i have noticed is that those who are firmly planted in the gospel FEEL that it's true and right.  They feel like they have a duty to God and to the truth that He has revealed to them.  Here are a couple examples of that "feeling" of conversion:

37 ¶Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
41 ¶Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (Acts 2: 37-38, 41)

and

24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword, for they repented of the things which they had done. (Alma 24:24)

These people were truly converted to the Lord because they FELT that it was right.  This feeling is essential if we are hoping to be converted to the Lord.  Here's another example of the results of the conversion of those Lamanites:

6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.
 7 For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren. (Alma 23:6-7)

Now, those of us who have once or even many times felt this should remember that it is something that we should be continuing to strive after.  It might not be as mighty as the first time.  It might not (and will not) come in the same way everytime, but as long as we FEEL the presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives, we can know that we are on that straight and narrow path that leads to Everlasting Life.  Listen to Alma's counsel:

26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? (Alma 5:26, emphasis added)

I leave you my testimony that this gospel is true.  I have felt time and time again that it is.  I know that this feeling comes from the Holy Spirit of God.  I know that God will speak to each one of us through that Spirit.  And I know that every time we consciously seek and receive His presence, we take one step deeper into our conversion to God and thus one step closer to Him.

I invite all of us to ponder on those special times where we have FELT that something is true.  As we do so, I promise you that you will feel this again and that you will vehemently and affirmatively respond to Alma's penetrating question, "Can you feel so now?" In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

#Africasleeps

What matters most: our relationship with our Heavenly Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ

Hey folks. Another week in the service of the Lord accomplished. This for sure has not been the easiest week, but I keep moving forward in hopes of a brighter future. 

After having a stellar week the week before, this past week has just nose-dived and crashed into the ground. We had two sick days in the apartment and lots of what we call "ratez-vous" here (a play on words from rendez-vous--the word for appointment--meaning fall-throughs). Nothing terirbly discouraging, but certainly disappointing. 

I, personally, am in complete health and was throughout the week. This left me lots of time to study and meditate. With a few conference talks, a few scriptures and the life situations around me at this time, my thoughts were most led to "what matters most." 

I got thinking about this phrase and how I've seen it here on my mission. In fact, I would say that it is the very essence of Elder Lynn G Robbins' October 2015 General Conference talk. For the first many times that I read this talk, I saw it as a "Don't love man, love God" kind of talk. Then, coupled with Elder Oaks' talk from the same conference, I realized that it was much more of a "Love God, then love man" talk. I realized that, in trying to repent of loving man more than God, I had more of a "Love God, not man" attitude. Now, I wasn't going around hating on people or trying to make their lives miserable, but I was reminded of Elder Oaks' talk once again, in quoting a member whose husband was once not a member. I paraphrase, "I thought I had given my fair share of patience, but i don't know if i was being very kind about it." I feel the same way. 

Realizing this brought the two great commandments into proper alignment for me. I am now working still on loving god more than man, but I am working now on also being kind and loving towards man as I love my God before them. I was then brought to the chapter of the George Albert Smith manual (chapter 21 I believe) entitled, "The Power of Kindness", but I will expound on that another time

I then got thinking on life here in Benin and how these two principles apply. I saw that, as Elder Dube had boldly noted, those who keep the commandments prosper in the land. That isn't to say that those who don't keep the commandments don't prosper, but if we do, He has promised that we will have everything that we need and most likely will have enough to give. Those who, amongst the poverty and uncleanliness of Togo and Benin, find the most happiness are those who truly understand the first two commandments. Those who put God first in every decision and those who have the most peace in their life. Society in these two countries can make it hard to find happiness--especially when everything of the greener side of western civilization is all that's shown on TV. However, those who put away the world and come unto Christ have the same level of happiness (if not more!) as those who come unto Christ all over the world! These brave people leave behind the traditions of their fathers. Many come from families where Voodoo is practiced religiously. Many come from families where marriage is simply mocked. Many come from families who have given up on trying to earn a living because other sources had ceased to make them whole (see Hymn number 129, "Where Can I Turn for Peace"). 

I have been greatly blessed and strengthened to see these people grow in their faith in Jesus Christ. I have found that in my experiences with these people that no matter where we come from, we can all arrive at the same point. No matter what our circumstances, we can attain the highest of goals, the most noble of quests, all in focusing on what matters most: our relationship with our Heavenly Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. 

May we all take the time to strengthen these two relationships daily and intentionally is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Avec amour, 

Elder Jenkins

We have a LIVING PROPHET on this earth today

Wow!  What a week it has been.  Possibly one of the most busy weeks of my mission.  In the past 8 days we have been to the mission office 5 times.  Seriously.  Pretty much an office elder now, but not even close.  We went twice for immigration, once to get blood analyses, once for a trainers' meeting, and then today we made raspberry cobbler!!!  So yeah, very busy.

The best and most important experience from General Conference.  I absolutely love this six-month rejuvenation sent from a loving Heavenly Father to inspire and strengthen His children.  These inspired messages have been such a great support for me in my life, but especially during the hardest times of my mission.  Again, I was able to find direction and comfort through the messages we were able to watch from the Saturday Afternoon session and the Sunday Morning session. Personally, I found the most guidance and comfort from Elder Klebingat's message called "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence."  I had the opportunity to study this talk again this morning in more depth, and I truly felt the Lord speaking to me as Elder Hales said in the October 2013 conference.

I took out three major themes from this past conference.  First, the need to sustain and trust the living prophet that Heavenly Father has given to us to guide us through this life.  Second, the need for personal revelation in relation to our own personal spiritual strength in order to persevere unto Eternal Life.  Third, the need to stand strong as witnesses of God and disciples of Jesus Christ in keeping the sacred commandments firmly but constantly loving those around us.  I plan to study these topics thoroughly over the next six months and how I can heed the Lord's voice spoken through His General Conference.

I would just like to leave my testimony today of a living prophet.  This truth has been confirmed to me several times this week as I have been preparing to watch Conference and in wtching and pondering afterwards.  How blessed are we to have a LIVING PROPHET on this Earth today.  WE have the Lord's voice to lead and guide us.  With this humble but powerful voice, we can avoid "getting stuck" and keep moving forward with faith in a world that continually grows darker.

I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's ture and LIVING Church on the earth today.  He Himself has placed it there through a living prophet, Joseph Smith.  Today, as a successor of Joseph Smith, the Lord has called Thomas S. Monson to be His chosen and authorized voice to the world.  No other church can proclaim that with the divine witness of the Holy Ghost to seal this testimony.  As I said previously, the Holy Ghost has testified to me several times this past week that Thomas S. Monson is indeed a prophet of God.  I leave my personal witness with you and invite you to heed the counsels given to us through General Conference: to follow in the footsteps of the Savior and to seek our own personal testimony through personal revelation.

I love you all.  Have a great week!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Venance and Benoit and an African Halloween

Hey everyone!  I hope you've all had a wonderful week!  Out here it's been pretty splendid.  Elder Edwards and I decided to celebrate a bit this past Thursday, so I dressed up like a ninja and he carved a pumpkin and we ate some chicken noodle soup and candy.  It was a blast!  Everybody kind of looked at us weird as we went outside to light up our pumpkin, but we didn't care!  The two African missionaries in the apartment got a kick out of it, too!

 

Elder Edwards (the other American in my apartment) bought and carved a pumpkin!

Happy Halloween!  I decided to be a ninja.

I got some mad ninja missionary skills

Everyone just kind of sitting around as Elder Edwards lit it up

Had to pose with the pumpkin

Our little friend

 

Here's a pic of the chicken noodle soup I made.  I put in a few too many noodles so it became a bit of a chicken noodle casserole after I stored it in the fridge.

And I treated myself to an orange Fanta float. DELICIOUS!

Kind of scared me the first time I opened the fridge and a pumpkin was staring back at me

 

We had two baptisms on Saturday!  Venance and Benoit, both of whom are what we call papas since they're both older than 50ish.  But they have both, like Komlan, made some great changes in their life and are now along a new path.  Both are also eager to have us over to teach the rest of their families!

 

 The baptism on Satuday, 11/2/13.  Venance is next to me and Benoit is next to Elder Mbala with President Sam in the middle

Then, yesterday, Sunday, we got to watch General Conference!  It was such a great experience, and the Spirit was tangibly there.  After the Book of Mormon and the temple, General conference is my third testimony of the truth and power of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We truly do have the opportunity twice a year to listen to and receive the messages of a true prophet of God, his two counselors, the 12 apostles, and other appointed authorities that have been so carefully prepared according to the Spirit of God.  The 15 men at the head of this church (the Prophet, his 2 counselors, and the 12 apostles) have truly been called to lead the Lord's only true church on the earth today, and when they speak, it is truly by the power of God.

General Conference set up on Sunday!  It was different watching in French, but the Spirit was definitely still there carry the messages that we needed to hear!

We had four people come to visit us at church yesterday, one of which we have already taught and 3 that were invited by friends to come, and they all loved it.  They were so amazed to feel the Spirit and love that resides in every single message at General Conference.  Honestly, I agree with President Monson, Sunday morning session was probably the overall most spiritual session I ever watched, music included.  But these four people absolutely loved their visits, and I'm very excited to go visit them this week.

Well, that's about it.  Oh!  I forgot to mention that we got to experience a solar eclipse here on Sunday!  Right as we were leaving church it was in place, so I was careful not to look at the sun.  But the lighting was really eerie.  It was kind of a twilight zone feel, which was pretty awesome.  It also cooled down so that helped on the way back to the apartment.

Have a great week everyone.  I love you all!

 

Avec amour,
Elder Jenkins

 

This little guy decided to go creeping in as I was cleaning the kitchen this morning!

Note from mom:  I received a couple more pictures this morning from Elder and Sister Christensen, who are serving in Togo with Elder Jenkins. 

 

"The Doctor" doing his job 10/27/13

With the other Southern Elder Preston, Elder Preston Burkhart from Atlanta

 

Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief





in a corn patch with Elder Gnahore

This has been a very interesting week.  It has been full of some very good experiences and some not so good.  If I learned anything this week, it's that a mission isn't split into good and bad experiences, but rather it is spiritual and learning experiences.  It's been a struggle this week partially with missing home and with cultural differences in the apartment.  One of the things about the mission is that we have very specific rules set in place both to keep us safe and to help us be in touch with the Spirit of the Lord and of the work we are doing.  The Africans have a very different interpretation of a lot of these rules, which at times this past week has led to some times of tension in our apartment.  To sum up my week, I shall paraphrase a bit from Thursday in my journal this week:

Yesterday was a very interesting day.  I was still in quite a bit of a down mood from the day before.  When we got back to the apartment for lunch, I decided to take some time for myself after lunch to listen to soothing music (Paul Cardall) and read the latest Conference issue of the Ensign.  (For those of you who don't know, every six months our church has a church wide conference that is based in Salt Lake but is broadcast all over the world.  In this Conference, all of the leaders of our church, men who are called of God, share a spiritually uplifting message.  This is then transcribed into our church magazine (The Ensign) so that we can go back later and study those inspired words.)  I had been praying to our Heavenly Father for guidance and comfort during these trying times.  I put myself in the Lord's hands and said whichever talk I randomly opened up to, I would read all the way through and try to find the message.  I soon learned that it wasn't random at all in the Lord's eyes.  The first message that I opened up to was by Elder Bruce R. Porter of the Seventy, entitled "Beautiful Mornings."  Immediately I felt such a Spirit of peace and comfort, even to the point of almost weeping.  This provided such a simple, but powerful message of light in a time which was, at the time, seeming so dark.  This gave me such a message of hope that I knew that it had to be the words of God, merely spoken by the words of one of his servants.  When I finished reading this talk, I wondered how a man that I have never heard of before could bring such a change in my life during a time of need.  I now realize that this is exactly what I am doing as a missionary, which brings me even more comfort, to know that it can be done.  The phrase that affected me the most was when he stated, when speaking of missionary work in our church, "no man can stay its course, for God is the author of this work and Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone."  I know, without a doubt, at this moment, that I have been called of God to perform this work.

I then looked back to see which session of the conference this was given (Sunday Afternoon, April 2013), and I saw the first message of this session was given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, entitled "Lord, I Believe."  Again, I felt this same feeling of peace and comfort come over me as I remembered being in the building and feeling the Spirit of this message.  Elder Holland started by recounting the New Testament story of a father and his sick son.  When the father finally meets the Savior, he pleads for help, or in the least, compassion.  Christ then replies in asking if he has faith, for "all things are possible to him that believeth."  The story then continues, "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (See Mark 9:22-24)  I thought of how this situation could apply to me, and I immediately opened my heart to the Lord and tried my hardest to turn myself to Him.  Something about the mission is that you cannot just call home to Mom when you're struggling; I can only email home one day a week.  In this instance, I think I really learned for the first time how to lean upon the Lord for help through prayer.  For the first time in my life, I felt truly converted unto the Lord, even amongst all the noise and turmoil in the world around me.  What a marvelous feeling this was, and I intend to carry it with me for the rest of my mission and the rest of my life.

This was indeed a very special experience for me.  I believe it has changed me and with that I can continue forward in this marvelous work.  I have shared this with all of you to bear testimony and witness that we all have a Heavenly Father who loves us all so very much.  I share this to bear witness that Jesus Christ really suffered and died for all of our pains, sicknesses, and afflictions so that we can lean on Him in times of need.  Whatever you are going through, He has felt the same way you have and worse, and He was able to make it through in order to help us, merely out of love and obedience.  For that I am eternally grateful and I love Him so much.  Finally, I share this to bear witness that I have been called of God to share His holy message of His restored gospel in Togo and Benin.  I love you all, and I thank you for all of you support.

Je vous aime tous!

Elder Jenkins





Ambroise

P.S.  I think I found the next Ziggy Ansah this morning.  His name is Ambroise and he's on the Togo national basketball team.  He doesn't have the means to contact or get to BYU, so I said I can use my sources to get him recruited.  He's a member and I met him this morning while playing basketball.  He's pretty dang good.