"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

"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

Just how important is the family to God?

Hey folks!  It's been a great week out here.  Many, MANY lessons learned.  It's incredible how the Lord keeps them coming.  All we have to do is be humble enough to receive them and to submit ourselves to His timetable.

This week I feel impressed to share more about my thoughts from District Conference and the lessons that have followed since.

Like I said, many of the messages from District Conference were focused on blessings of the family and temple.  Like I said again, I have really felt the Lord preparing me to return home and receive these blessings for myself.  There are a couple of instances that really testify of this to me.

First, I had a bit of extra time one day this week, so I decided to listen to the April 2015 General Conference.  Again, I felt that every single message was directed towards me.  One that I loved was by Elder Andersen of the 70 talking about dancing without music versus dancing with music and how that applies in our daily lives. Many times, missionaries get so focused on the steps of the dance that they forget to listen to the music.  I've been really focusing on hearing the music (the Spirit) before even listening to this talk, but this was a great reinforcement.

Ok, back on subject.  There were many talks given on the family.  One that particularly struck me was Sister Burton's.  Yes, I'm not currently married, but I consider the mission a perfect time to prepare to work with someone in that setting.  During her talk, I reflected back on the lessons that the Lord has taught me over the past 23 months and how these lessons are preparing me for the future.  I still have much learning and much preparation before I get married, but the essential lessons I'm learning now will be priceless when the time comes.  Isn't it wonderful how Heavenly Father looks after us?  He's willing to do everything for us that we need and then some, and all we have to do is be patient and diligent and studious.

The second experience happened at Church on Sunday.  I taught the Gospel Principles class during the 2nd hour on the purpose of our life here on Earth.  Two weeks ago, we talked about the Fall of Adam and Eve and its necessity and its effects on us.  This week, coupled a bit with explaining the Atonement of Jesus Christ as an anitdote of the Fall, we talked a lot about why we're here and what we need to do.  Many answers were shared, including, to gain experience, to prepare for Eternal Life, to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ and His Gospel, to gain knowledge, and finally, (shared by Bruno who is scheduled to be baptised on the 16th of May) to be married.  A few months ago I taught a class on marriage because we have several couples that need to be married before they can be baptised.

We spent several minutes talking about this (I bore my testimony on how the Lord has been preparing me to be married because I'm going home soon, which brought a few giggles) and testifying of its truthfulness.  Then, one of our investigators rases her hand.  She doesn't talk much at Church as it was her third week, including District Conference.  We have been teaching her for quite some time now, and were almost close to dropping her before she came to Church the first time.  We haven't seen her for almost a month because of some changes that she's had, but she stills comes to Church.  She has three kids (two in her native country with her parents) all with different men.  We've been hitting hard on the family from the beginning, but she seemed almost indifferent about it.  But I haven't given up hope on it, knowing the power of the family.

Finally, Sunday.  She raised her hand asking if she could testify.  A bit curious, I obliged.  She started by explaining that this was her third week at church.  She has noticed how much we talk about family and its eternal potential, especially at conference.  She said based on that and the Book of Mormon, she has really FELT that this is the truth.  She's visited many other churches, but she said that she's never felt about one like she has here.  She then asked how she could be baptized, and my jaw almost dropped from its hinges.  I explained that we have dates for the 16th and 23rd May, but that we'd talk with her during the week.

Oh how great is the Lord!  It is truly through that Holy Spirit that people are converted.  All reason and doubt fall in the face of faith and the power of the Holy Ghost.  I am confident that the Lord is preparing a way for this sister to stabilize her family life and prepare for eternity.

I add my own testimony of the family.  I know that the family is ordained of God.  Marriage is not merely a tradition of men but an ordinance sent from God, an eternal pact and blessing.  I know that the Lord has also restored the sealing keys to the Prophet Joseph Smith in order to bless His children from all eras.  I know that each one of us, if we are to receive a fulness of joy, must enter into this eternal covenant of marriage.

Just how important is the family to God?  So important that it is the central focus of His work and glory, and thus the focal point of all of Satan's vicious attacks.  I testify that as we seek to better understand and respect (or prepare to respect) our marital vows, we will be endowed with protection from on high.

I love you all, and I hope you all have an outstanding week.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

LAST ONE FAST ONE

LAST ONE FAST ONE.

That's right folks, it's that time of six weeks again.  And yes, Akpakpa has been hit with the transfer bug.  My companion, Elder Affri, and Elder Mutoke were both transferred out this morning.  I will be working with Elder Dakouri from Ivory Coast and Elder Wittig will be working with Elder Korateng from Ghana.  I'm definitely going to miss Elder Affri and Elder Mutoke, but it's nice having a little change this close to the end.

Well, as I've said so many times in my life during swim practice, "LAST ONE FAST ONE!!!!!!"  Here come the last six weeks.  Whatever you've got left, put it all in, and then some.  Leave nothing left. No regrets.

I apologize again for the length (or lack thereof).  Honestly, I've been trying to work with my iPod to put General Conference on and finally get all of my Christmas music off, but that poor thing is just so old it's almost ripped to shreds.  It's been a kinda stressful and time-consuming ordeal.  The firewire input has been contorted due to all of the numerous falls that it's taken with my iHome.  So, I have to hold the wire in at a funny angle and with much effort so that it doesn't disconnect.  Naturally, it disconnected almost anytime we would try to put music on.  Finally, after about 20 tries, it worked. My blood pressure is quite high, but at least my heart rate has decreased.  Seriously, technology. Who needs it?

Well, on a radically more spiritual note, the work is starting to progress well here in Akpakpa.  Elder Affri was a bit sad to be leaving, but I'm sure he'll find much success in his new area.  I am very grateful for Elder Affri and for ALL of the lessons that I learned with him.  I am very confident that the Lord is preparing me to return home and still find succes with what I'll do in life.  That has also been testified to me through the many inspired messages of General Conference.  I love the Lord.  He is ever watchful over ALL of His many children.  He is so gentle and kind.

I would like to leave you all with a brief testimony of our Heavenly Father.  There is no creature more gentle, more loving, more understanding than our Heavenly Father.  He knows what it's like to have trials and tribulations.  He knows what we go through.  Through His Son's Atonement, He CAN save us and succor us.  He CAN look after us, answer us, encourage us, and one day welcome us with His loving arms.  This is a day that I look forward to with gratitude.  My prayer this week is that we all work to hear His soft, firm voice speaking to us through the words of the prophets, through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, and through the many tests and trials of our lives.  I promise that you will find Him.  He is ever present.  He loves us more than we can understand.  He knows our weaknesses much, much better than we do, and He knows why we have them.  He wants us to come unto Him.  And there He stands, ever-beckoning.

I love you all so much.  Have a great week.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Easter Testimony

Happy Easter everyone!  Yeah, I might be a bit late, but that's just kinda how life is out here.

This has been a rather special Easter.  I didn't receive any big presents nor eat any substantial amount of chocolate.  I didn't go looking for eggs nor did I hide any.  I didn't get to see any new cool videos, from the Church or elsewhere.  But I did have the amazing and humble opportunity to focus on "what matters most".

For those of us not in General Conference zone, yesterday a fast and testimony Sunday.  I decided to bear my testimony about Easter, rather fitting I think!  As I stood up to the pulpit, I was struck by our celebration of Easter.  Yes, other churches had had their parades and fanfares yesterday.  Most people had large parties and invited lots of people, many churches were overfilled past the doors, and there was lots of loud music being play out in the street.  

And then there were the Latter-day Saints in their quiet building with an abnormally normal Sunday service, not because we don't celebrate Easter or any other holidays, but because, in all reality, we celebrate Easter EVERY Sunday!  That's the whole point of our Sunday worship services.  Yes, we sang all three of the Easter hymns in the French hymnbook, but other than that, the only truly essential part to celebrating Easter was the partaking of the holy Sacrament, or Communion as other call it.  This is the whole point of Easter, to celebrate Christ's infinite and eternal Atonement, including His resurrection from the dead.

I testify, along with all of the prophets ancient and modern, that He lives!  I know that my Redeemer lives!  And yes, what comfort this sweet sentence gives, He lives!  I testify that His infinite love is available to us all, and that we can all receive the fulness of His loves and blessings, but only through His restored gospel.  I testify that as we focus our future Easters and our future Sundays more on the Savior that we will come unto Him and partake of the Bread of Life and of the Living Water.  We will never hunger nor thirst.  We will find Eternal Life.  I invite you, plead you, to come unto Him and accept His Eternal Love.  As the Book of Mormon prophet Nephi said, "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" (2 Nephi 31:21).

I love you all so much. Have an amazing week!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

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

Don't be afraid to make mistakes! Put yourselves out on the line!

Hello all.  It's been a week full of learning here in Benin.  And I have absolutely loved it.  My testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His grace has been greatly strengthened.

Going throughout this past week has not exactly been easy.  It wasn't discouraging, but it certainly wasn't easy.  But as I have learned, these are the best moments of life.  Yes, humility is required in great abundance, and it is very difficult for some of us to show this kind of humility.  But I have better understood the Lord's grace as I meditated on how far I've come to see again where I need to go.

As I thought about my time here, I thought of all the mistakes I've made and how I thought, at the time, that I would regret all of these mistakes for the rest of my life.  Then I realized that now, I do not regret a single one!  Why? Because I gave it my all!  I put in, at that time, everything that I had, even if it seemed nothing at all.

This past week, I have made several mistakes.  Not that I'm a bad person or that I'm not trying, but I am an imperfect being.  However, much different from earlier in my mission, I was not at all discouraged!  Why? Because I have spent a lot more time studying and meditating on the Savior's Atonement.  He has granted me a greater understanding of the hope and light of His gospel.

Pondering on all of these things yesterday, I was quite impressed with the mission experience.  Yes, it's one great life lesson, and yes, we get to change people's lives, but there is something much, much more.  The Lord has given us a very special place to learn and to make mistakes.  That's when it hit me: I'm supposed to make mistakes!  I'm supposed to give it everything I have and fall short!  I'm supposed to push myself past my boundaries!  Thinking upon this even in this very moment has brought a poem quoted by Elder Vinson last year (originally by Elder Holland):

"Come to the edge," He said, "Come to the edge."

"I can't," I said, "I can't"

"Come to the edge," He said, "Come to the edge"

I did.

He pushed me.

I flew.

So if I have counsel to those young and old seeking to serve missions, don't be afraid to make mistakes!  Put yourselves out on the line!  Open your heart to everyone, without fear!  Give it everything you've got even if you've got nothing!  We're most likely never going to see these people again in our mortal lives.  The Lord gives us this opportunity of trial and error to prepare us for our future lives when the stakes will be much higher. Yes, it might seem like we're falling at first when we come to the edge and He pushes us, but soon we will see His promise fulfilled that "He shall bear [us] up as on eagles' wings."

I have made the firm decision that as I finish my time here on my mission, I will put myself as far out there as I can.  I will make as many mistakes as necessary so that I can grow, knowing that if I give it everything that I can, the Lord will make up the difference.  I'm not saying that I won't try to improve; in fact, improvement is exactly what I'm seeking!  But I have gained a firm testimony that the more we put ourselves on the line humbly, the more we will see the Lord's hand in our lives.

There is no limit to His power!  There is no limit to His reach!  There is no limit to how long or how much we are allowed to use!  So why worry about our own lack of strength when His grace is sufficient.  His Atonement is infinite!  His grace is infinite!

In beginning to live in this manner, I have felt the peace in His gospel.  Even when turmoil surrounds me, His grace and His peace are sufficient for me.  Living this way is truly a joyous experience.  

I testify that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ stands at each one of our personal doors.  He knocks.  He awaits for us to open the door and invite Him into our lives.  And when we do, He will push us farther than we have ever gone, but with it, He will open us new beginnings and beautiful views on life.  We will find true happiness and joy.  We will gain spiritual confidence before God.  We will change to become like Him.  And I share this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

One of my all-time favorite African meals, foutou banane with peanut sauce!!!  SOOOO GOOOD!!!!!!!!!! 

Found this on my box of Frosties (european frosted flakes).  it's a free entry to several parks in Great Britain and Ireland.  Including the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.  What are the chances?!  I'm planning on giving it to Elder Lynch so that he can actually use it! 

Elder Wittig and I improvised to make an apple pie today.  It was amazing!!!  and it only cost 8 dollars (roughly)!!!!!

Mission prep and Uncle "James" from New York

with "James from New York" aka Uncle Shaka

This has been a very interesting week!  First off, there were emergency transfers!!!  My new companion had some passports issues, so he had to go back to Congo.  Hopefully he will be coming back next month.  Please keep him in your prayers.  I am now working with Elder Affri, a friend of mine out here that I've known for quite some time.

with Elder Affri

I received what I would say was one of the top five best surprises of my life this week; did NOT see it coming from anywhere.  Here's the story:

So on Saturday I got a call around 6 in the evening from a US number, but I didn't recognize the area code.  I answered it and was not too astonished to hear an African accent on the other side.  He asked if it was the Mormon missionaries, and I confirmed.  He asked if it was Elder Jenkins, and I confirmed again.  He handed me to his driver to explain where we were.

About 5-10 minutes later, I was greeted by an African-American man.  As he got out of the car and walked towards us, I had one thought in my head, "Gee! that guy looks an awful like my uncle, Shaka."  I even told my companion that he looked like my uncle.  We chatted a bit, and then he invited to take us out to dinner.  I suggested a restaurant in our area, and he gladly accepted, so I directed the driver to get us there.

In the car, I asked him a bit of who he is, since we had already talked about me.  He had introduced himself as James from New York.  He had a bit of business to do in Benin, and he said that his wife always reminds him to seek out the missionaries in his travels and to treat them well.  I remember his one comment aside from that," Wow, there sure are a lot of motorbikes here."

So we get to the restaurant and take our seats.  I asked the waitor if they accept cards or not.  I think there might be like 20 businesses in this area that accepts cards (other than banks) and this was not one of them.  In waiting for his driver to come in, James said he wanted to take a picture with us.  I asked him if he would send it in an email to my mom, but he said that a text would be better.  Feeling a bit awkward giving my mom's number to a complete stranger, I tried to lean over to see if he was entering the number correctly.  As I leaned over, he started to hide his phone from me, which I found a bit weird.  Anyways, the driver came in after that so they went to the bank to get money out.

While he was away, I told my companion again that he looked so much like my uncle, but based on the facts that he had presented me, I had no reason to believe that thought.

He came back from the bank, and as we were trying to decide what to eat, we started talking about his family.  He said, "here, let me show you a picture of my family!" He looks up a picture on his phone and shows it to my companion.  He starts to tilt his phone towards me and then BAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lighting quick reactions: I see my two cousins, and I'm hitting him saying "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!"  Hahahahahahahaha what a laugh we had together.  I swear it was more than five minutes before we actually calmed down.  Goodness gracious it's like it was just a dream.

At dinner with Uncle Shaka and Elder Affri

After that, we ordered, and I made sure to buy an extra expensive (relatively) ice cream because I would probably not do it again for four months!  We had an excellent meal together and many excellent laughs.  We got a couple phone calls from family members, but I was like, "No.  Four months.  We'll talk in four months."

We finished the evening right on time and he took us home where we met the other two missionaries in my apartment and took some last pictures before saying our last goodbye for a few months.

The Lord is so great.  I had actually prayed specifically a few hours before that I be more in-tune to His mighty hand in my life.  Little did I know that He would show it forth in such a way!

During dinner, we were able to talk a little but about family.  I have two cousins that will most likely be in the mission field in this next year.  I would like to just address a few words to them and to all who are preparing to go on missions in the future.

My counsel, if I only have one to give, is to actively prepare now.  No matter how distant your mission is, seek after the necessary testimony, knowledge, and diligence required to be a missionary.  Search for an active and living testimony of the truth.  Learn how to build your faith.  Learn to repent quickly and wholly.  Seek to understand your covenants that you have with the Lord.  Seek to recognize and be worthy of the Holy Ghost.

Study the scriptures daily with purpose and with prayer.  Follow the inspiration of the Holy Ghost in your studies.  Go on splits with the full-time missionaries.  Ponder about and write down any questions that you would like to ask a current or former full-time missionary, then ask them.  Seek to establish now a solid relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Memorize scriptures that touch and strengthen you.  Be a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ in your current situation.  Build up the courage now to talk with your family, friends, and even strangers about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

In writing this, a favorite scripture comes to mind: D&C 130:18-19.  We are promised that whatever intelligence we gain in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection, and we will have advantage because of this intelligence.  It is the same with the mission.  There will be many surprises once you get out into the field, but you will have so much more advantage if you actively prepare for mission service well before you even start to fill out the paper work.

I testify to you that this is the Lord's work.  You will very soon be among the Lord's chosen servants.  You will be serving on the front lines of the Lord's army.  As you seek to actively prepare yourselves for your missionary service, I promise you that you will feel of the Lord's approval.  When you get to the field, you will have the faith and the strength to rely on the Lord amidst the many trials.  You will truly become an instrument in the Lord's hands (Alma 29:9).

I love you all so much.  Have a wonderful week.  For those in Jacksonville, please don't be afraid to share the real Book of Mormon this week!

Avec amour,

Elder Jenkins

Baptism of Agossi 31 january 2015.  We got some great support from the primary!

Reunion with Elder Bile after 9 months apart!!! 

With Elder Ndibu 

City art from this past week.  Taken from the bridge.

The moving truck (for Precious and her family).  It took 6 long loads!!!

Views of the city

Views of the city

The grand marché, Tokpa

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 .