Pioneers Too

 “The same pioneer spirit that carried Brigham Young and his followers across the plains to Utah [in 1847], also found its way into other parts of the world, including Africa.  The faith, dedication, and triumph of the early African pioneers over adversity are explored and celebrated in Pioneers of Africa – an inspiring story of those who paved the way.” (-- VHS cover.)  This priceless video documentary was produced by BYU Broadcasting and Wisteria Pictures in 2003, and I was fortunate to find an original copy of the VHS tape. 

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City received numerous letters from Africa for years preceding the revelation and announcement in early June 1978, that all worthy male members may receive the priesthood.  The day for which those faithful pioneers earnestly prayed and prepared, finally came.  “We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel.  … The First Presidency.”  -- General Conference report, October 1978.  The story of those pioneers, mainly in Ghana and Nigeria in West Africa, is a fascinating history of their years of preparation for this blessing which they firmly believed would come one day, and of their faithful acceptance throughout the decades that followed.  Anthony Obinna (1928-1995) of Nigeria was the first black African to be baptized by the Church missionaries in West Africa, and the first in the Church to be called as a branch president.  Anthony baptized his wife Fidelia, who became “the first black Relief Society president in Africa.”  -- en.wikipedia.org

 

“So whenever we thought of the pioneers [of 1847] or read about them, we were inspired.  We walked in the footsteps of the pioneers, and we learned a lot about them, and were encouraged by their ways.”  -- Joseph William Billy Johnson (born 17 Dec 1934) of Cape Coast, Ghana, narrating Pioneers of Africa.  J.W.B. Johnson was another pioneer leader who played a key role in Church history.  It was his conviction in the early years that a temple would be built in his country if the people were faithful.  The Accra Ghana Temple was dedicated 11 January 2004, and the Aba Nigeria Temple 7 August 2005, both by Gordon B. Hinckley.   -- ldschurchtemples.com

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