Profound Wisdom

I have spent the last month rivited to the pages of Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis.I always loved The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe with all its symbolism. I've heard countless talks in our LDS General Conferences where C S Lewis has been quoted, many of them coming from Mere Christianity. So when I saw the book on the shelf of our new bookstore in the mall here in Accra, it reached out and said "Take ME!"

Here are some of his quotes I love:

"Aim at Heaven and you will get 'earth thrown in': aim at earth and you will get neither."

"Pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense."

One of the great secrets of life: "When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him."

"Man cannot disobey those laws which he shares with other living things (gravitational laws, biological laws), but the law which is peculiar to his human nature(a moral law of good conduct), the law he does not share with animals or vegetables or inorganic things, is the one he can disobey if he chooses."

"You cannot make men good by law: and without good men you cannot have a good society."..."nothing but the courage and unselfishness of individuals is ever going to make any system work properly."

"He gave them (man) free will because a world of mere automata could never love and therefore never know infinite happiness." (then giving our free will to obedience of God's laws or the Law of Nature (moral conduct) brings infinite happiness)

"The more you obey your conscience, the more your conscience will demand of you."

"No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is."

"Christ because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means."

"The great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not worried by our sins, or our indifference and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him."

Well I could go on and on - I love this man's thoughts and reasoning.

Is Pride More Important than Peace?

I love Sunday's in Ghana. When you go to church, doctrine is preached by almost everyone who gives a talk. Now mind you these are just members who give the talks. They are like you and me. Well sort of. The difference with them is their only souce for information is their life experience, the scriptures and the Liahona.

Today in Kasoa Wared, Sr. Tay gave a talk on Forgiveness. She used Doctrin and Covenants 64:9-10, and Matthew 18:21-22. We are to forgive everyone. We are to forgive 7 times 77. But what I loved about her talk was not just that message but her reasoning behind it.

If you do not forgive she said, you are filled with bitterness and hatred. The more you hold onto an unforgiving heart, the more it cuts you. Prayers are hinderd. If our unforgiveness is against our spouse it will poison our marriage. You will stop praying together. Your feelings for your spouse will be anger and resentment. Your example shall bounce back to you in your children. Though you think it frees you, it only fills you will self hatred and bitterness. Often pride gets in our way. "Is your pride more important that your peace?", she asked. You block your blessings when you cannot forgive. You bring sickness upon yourself. In the end you help the devil fulfill his mission - to destroy your happiness, your peace, your joy, your family.

Forgiveness on the other hand brings love, peace, and joy into hearts and into the home.

I will miss these people. They say things so clearly.

Ghana's National Arboretum

Our trip to Aburi took us to Ghana's National Arboretum. These gardens were created by the British in 1890. The villages in the tops of the hills above Accra are much cooler. The area was a retreat for the British government officials who wanted to get relief from hot coastal areas. The entrance to the gardens is lined with palm trees that are over 100 years old. There are 7 gardens. Some I remember are the presidential garden where visiting presidents and rulers plant a tree; the children's garden, where children gather for games; the spice garden where cinnamon trees, nutmeg trees, lavendar trees, an allspice tree, and others I can't remember. These were grand gardens in the early 1900's. The Ghanaians are doing the best they can to keep the beauty of the gardens, but their budget is limited.

The gardens are a peaceful place, and a retreat from close quarters of life the Ghanaians experience in everyday life. Ghanaians make do with what they have. While we were getting out of our van this one pulled up and out piled 36 children and 6 adults: 42 people in all! They were sitting 3 deep.


These tall trees grace the countryside in Ghana. They are my favorite trees because they grow so straight - right up to the heavens.

Though the gardens seemed to be a a natural state rather than a manicured one, it was still beautiful and we enjoyed being outdoors in a rather organized garden. We even brought a picnic lunch.


The Cocoa Tree - The fruit on this tree makes your chocolate. Cocoa is one of Ghana's top two exports.

And even great creatures were in the park. This is a millipead. I've read about them and seen pictures in books. But here before my feet was the real thing! Can you see all their millions of feet?!

City Versus Village

Which One is Full Service?

The contrast between the City and the Village in Ghana is often extreme. This is one example.

Aburi, the Carving Village

Saturday was a day off for us. We traveled with two couples up to Aburi which is in the mountains above Accra. The English began settlements up here in the late 1800's to get away from the heat of Accra. At the top of the winding road the view is spectacular - a scene from "Out of Africa". Not far from there is the village of Aburi. This is a wood carving village. Everyone in the village carves, or sells wood carvings. For generations they have been doing this - teaching from father to son. We saw some wonderful carvings - a round table base of carved elephants and a large drum made of a split tree trunk. Unfortunately these were too big to fit in our luggage.

These men are carving by their shops. They draw the image on the wood and then they start carving. They have a real gift. Notice the Barrack Obama T-shirt on one of the carvers.



President Obama is a real hit in Ghana. I'm told he will be visiting Ghana sometime in July. The Presidential palace is just down the street from us. The people will go crazy if he come and I expect the streets will be gridlock ALL day long.

A New Way of Jogging

Saturday on our way to Aburi we wound up this mountain road. When we stopped for a view we turned to get back into the car and found this man jogging down the top of the divider - maybe 6 inches wide! His balance was amazing- thank goodness.... It's a little hard to see - He was just hopping off to catch up with the truck you see on the right hand side of the road.

Arrive Early!

We attended Tema Stake Conference on Sunday. As always in West Africa, we have found if you want a decent seat arrive early. We were in the first overflow and 40 minutes early. By the time the meeting started the room was completely full - probably about 1500+ people! Notice the fans. Its hot in West Africa and so in every chapel and classroom fans hang from the ceiling. We always try to sit under one. When the chapel and overflow fills they fill the classrooms and pipe a video feed into TVs.

This little girl sat across the isle from us. I love the children in Africa. This is the first time I had ever seen a little girl dressed Ghanaian style. I just had to take her picture! Most girls dress in frilly American style Sunday dresses - very pretty dresses like you'd see on Easter Sunday. Notice her little sister with all the piggy bands or barretts in her hair. This is typical on very little girls. As you can see all most all of the men and boys were white shirts and ties. A few African men come in their caftans. I think these are usually not members - just coming to see what the church is all about. Community leaders are often invited to meetings like this.

Elder Cardon spoke on witnesses of Christ.

John 5:36
The works (miracles) Christ performed bear witness that He was the Son of God
John 5:37; Mark 1:11; Matthew 17:5
Heavenly Father bore witness of Jesus Christ
John 1:33-34; Mark 1:7;
John the Baptist bore record of Christ as the Son of God
Matthew 16:16-17
The Disciples bore testimony of Christ as the Son of God
John 5:39
The scriptures bear testimony that Jesus is the Son of God


I could not help but think that without the words of the prophets, would we have much knowledge of Christ? All books of scripture should bear witness of Christ, as the Son of God.

The prophet Isaiah of the Old Testament testified of Christ (Isaiah 7:14)

The Disciples, and people who knew Christ like Mary Magdelene, people who were healed: all bore witness that Jesus was the Son of God.

The Book of Mormon is filled with prophets who were witnesses of Christ.
1st Nephi 11:20-33; Helaman 14:2-6 Samuel the Lamanite; Mosiah 15, Abinadi
and many more.

We can be witnesses of the Savior. We bear the fruit that grows from living His Words. Our countenance witnesses of Him; Our words witnesses of Him; our love of our fellow man witness of the Savior. I have pondered over this idea of witnesses and have come to the conclusion that on judgement day our life will witness our faith in Him. Our eyes will witness if we have faith in Him by the light they radiate. Our words that flow from our mouths will honor Him and us or condemn Him and us. Our very nature will be determined by an accumulation of our good works or our evil works and will accessed by Him quickly. Our repentent nature, our humility or pride: all will be evident to Him.

Jewish law demanded two or witnesses of people or events. Latter-day scriptures say that everything will be established by 2 or 3 witnesses. In reading the scriptures I find the doctrines taught in the Old Testament and repeated in the New Testament and confirmed in the Book of Mormon. It is really a fun study because you can pick up more depth as you compare what is said in each source and increase understanding.

Ezekial wrote: "Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I will take the stick of Joseph(Book of Mormon) which is in the hand of Ephriam and the tribes of Israel his fellows and will put them with him, even the stick of Judah (The Bible) and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel;" God uses all scriptures to testify of His only Begotten Son.

I am grateful for all the witnesses we have that bare testimony of the Savior, as the literal Son of God.

Africa West's Dancers

One of our members has created a dance troupe in order to preserve the cultural heritage of West Africa. Occaisionally when we have special visitors in town, these youth are asked to perform. We have had interns in from BYU for a few weeks and last night we were all entertained. Here is a taste of what we saw.

As amazing as the dancers, were the drummers.

Another Great Mission Presidents Conference

This past week was our Mission President's Conference. Twice a year the mission presidents in West Africa gather together to be instructed, to share experiences and testimonies, and to relax a bit. Elder Shipley and I are always in charge of the logistics for these conferences. Fortunately we have great help from Emelia Ahadje who is the manager of the travel office. She always arranges for the hotel and for the restaurant(s) we use and does a wonderful job. Elder Shipley prepares agendas, handouts, and makes sure all the supplies are at the conference. We pack the car up with equipment, song books, and materials and arrive at the hotel early to make certain everything is in order and then we get the priviledge of sitting in all the meetings. It is a real treat for us.

The people in the trenches of West Africa are our Mission Presidents who work hard long hours everyday caring for, instructing and sheperding about 100+ young missionaries. It is like being a parent to 100 young adults. My uncle was a mission president in France. He told me (when he returned 35 years ago)that he rarely got more than 4 hours of sleep. I think the mission presidents here get more than that but they can expect to receive phone calls anytime day or night from their missionaries. These Mission Presidents and their wives are great men and women. They serve for 3 years except in Nigeria where they serve for 2 years.

All of them bore testimony of knowing the Lord was in this work: of having words placed in their mouths, and thoughts come to them to make them aware of problems;Of feeling great peace in fearful situations; Of knowing how to handle situations.

Pres. Sitati, the first African to become a member of the Quorum of Seventy, a general authority in the church, shared his thoughts on the calling. He said he is often asked about how he feels to be the first black general authority. His answer was: "In the restored church we don’t have contituences. We have only one church. The message does not have color. The message is the same throughout the world. People must change to claim the same salvation. There will never be an African message but the true message of the restoration. We are preparing a people to greet the Lord."

What a great man he is. He does not think of himself as a "color" only a man of God. I have felt that way as I visit the saints in West Africa. I do not feel my color, I do not feel theirs. I only see them as children of God, purifying their lives that they may be prepared to greet the Lord.

The Woodwards left a Hole in Everyone's Hearts

The Woodwards are favorites of every senior missionary. They had to leave us in April for Emergency medical leave. We all hoped and prayed they would return to us this month, but it was not to be.

Sr. Woodward was in charge of the PEF (Perpetual Education Fund) in the Africa West Area. She interviewed students who wanted educational loans from the church. It is a beautiful program inspired by revelation to President Gordon B. Hinkley, our past prophet, to bring people out of poverty through education. It is available to those who are 30 years or younger. When Sr. Woodward began administering the program their were about 70 young adults taking advantage of the program. When she left there were over 250. She not only gave them opportunity but she loved them dearly and they loved her. She knew each one, text messaging them every month, sending greetings on their birthdays, and giving hugs to them as they would drop by the office.

Elder Woodward was in charge of welfare funds. These are used to help schools, communities, and individuals. Members of the church fast one Sunday a month and contribute the cost of two meals to the church. These funds are used to help members in need...some in need of basics like food,housing,and medical. Applications come to him through bishops and then he reviews them and submits them for approval. Welfare funds donated by members help to provide major projects: relief after a disaster, improvement to a school or hospital, wheelchairs for the handicaped, etc.

The wonderful thing about the Woodwards was their light heart. Their ability to laugh when things were not going great. Sr. Woodward gave you a word of encouragement and a great smile even though she herself was not feeling well at all. She would always say "I just love being here! I can't believe I was allowed to come to Africa! I love my mission." She felt that way every minute and fought going home until it was clear she had to.

Elder Woodward was Elder Shipley's walking partner. They walked the streets of Accra every morning at 5:30am for an hour, taking a different route each day. I'm sure they talked over everything. There is nothing better. It is like Sally in Peanuts "The Doctor is In". They loved that time together. It just hasn't been the same since they left.

Fortunately the Woodwards live within a mile or two of one of our sons...so we know we will see them again! We Love you Woodwards!