By Nokulunga Nkosi

I am grateful for the Book of Mormon as it speaks to us with power and simplicity in outlining those divine principles misunderstood by many.  In Mosiah 28:3  we read:  “Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish;  yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.”  In learning of this great example shown by the son’s of Mosiah, I realized the great responsibility vested upon each member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter –day Saints to proclaim the Gospel and do it effectively.  I, too, have a great desire that salvation should be declared to every creature.   This scripture has played a vital part in my life.  There is great joy in living righteously.

I Invite Everyone To Read The Book of Mormon

I was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in l998 in the Congo, DR Congo.   As a young man of seventeen, my life began to change as I started reading the Book of Mormon.  I understood that God is our Father and Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  I understood  that I should help others to know about the truth of the Gospel.    I decided to go on a mission.   I served in the DR Congo, Kinshasa Mission and Congo, Brazza-ville Mission from 2002 to 2004.  I did the work of God without fear because the way was already prepared by the Lord Himself.  It is said in the Book of Nephi that the Lord will always prepare the place before he sends you . 

In the Congo DR Congo, many have been prepared to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church is growing rapidly.  I am so happy to be a member of this Church .  I  invite everyone to read the Book of Mormon  and they will know the will of God for them. 

By Lerato Mosimane

Finding the Gospel  brought peace in my life  and taught me how to be a daughter of God.  I was a fifteen year old girl that had gone through a lot.   As I went through my struggles, I read and reread and found comfort and strength and peace in the following scripture:   2 Nephi 4 28 -30

28.  Awake, my soul!   No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.   29.  Do not anger again because of mine enemies.  Do not slacken my strength  because of mine afflictions.30.  Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say:  O Lord, I will praise thee forever;  yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Because of this scripture I was a better missionary.  I found myself able to help the people I taught and loved as they went through their own trials and struggles in their journey of finding the Gospel  and nurturing their testimonies.  It continues to remind me that here and now is not the end.  In all I do , I am never alone.  I need not yield to the trials and temptations I am faced with.  Even in moments of weakness I need not give in.  And in moments of hardships I need not give up.  I feel the unconditional love of my Father In Heaven and the Savior.   It teaches me to love even more.  I am a daughter of Deity, a queen in the making and this is my journey back home. 

Jimmy Mahlane LetsoaloBy Jimmy Mahlane Letsoalo

            I was born in 1965 in Haenertsburg, a small town in the northeast part of South Africa.  In Haenertsburg and later in Mankweng, where our family moved, my growing up years were pretty typical for a young person in a rural part of Africa.  I completed high school but our family was poor and my dream of obtaining further education and becoming a lawyer eluded me.  Instead, after working at a variety of jobs, I followed my father’s occupation and became a chef, working in a country lodge.

            In 1994 I married Rahab Mosibudi and eventually became the father of three beautiful daughters.  As the difficult era of apartheid came to an end in South Africa I felt that the future was bright – I was married, I had steady employment and I was living a happy, fantastic life. 

            In October of 1997 all of that changed.  The driver of a car in which I was traveling as a passenger lost control, the car rolled three times and I was thrown out and received severe injuries to my head and neck.  After many months in hospitals I was left with some limited use of my hands but otherwise I was permanently paralyzed from the neck down.  I was left to deal with what seemed at the time to be a bleak and hopeless future.

            My parents were able to care for me at home for several years but finally their age (and the death of my father) made it necessary for me to go to a care center in nearby Polokwane, which has facilities for the care of disabled persons.  I had been a vigorous person but now my life seemed to me to be completely pitiful.  (Paraplegics are necessarily very dependent upon others and this is humbling.  Caregivers are needed to help them bathe, dress and even brush their teeth.  A major concern for paralyzed people is the possible development of pressure sores.  Help is needed each hour to change the person’s position and thereby help the blood circulate.)  I wondered whether any good could possibly come out of such unfortunate circumstances.  I seriously doubted that it could and I was very depressed.