Be converted, and become as little children

Testimonies of Missionaries Strengthen Us All

Sister Wendy Mawasha

(right)  Country Home South Africa

This is a story about Mrs. Doris M. Young.  This is one of the most inspired experiences that confirmed I need to serve.  In May 2015, I met one of my clients named Doris M. Young, who was then suffering from emphysema as a result, she couldn’t breathe on her own.  She relied on oxygen machine 24 hours daily. 

My duties were to ensure adequate intake of food, dispensing medication and general nursing care.  I mostly worked the night shift on weekends, Saturday and Sunday. 

I had learned that she had lost her husband about a year ago.  Her son would visit her mostly on weekends and he eventually moved to London. 

I soon realized that she become lonely and needed companionship, every time I am on duty, we’ll talk about our lives, our families.  I learned quite interesting things from her.

As a Latter-day Saint I took this as an opportunity to share my beliefs and testimony about the plan of salvation and then she’ll be able to be with her husband through the blessings from temple ordinance. 

She seemed quite interested so when I’ll go to nurse on Sunday, she’ll say so my girl, how was church?  What did you learn?  I took this opportunity to share with her that she is never alone and that God loves her and is very mindful.  She asked if she could receive this blessing, too.  I said yes, she could . . .  because she spends most of her time alone and stressed, she’ll smoke and drink. 

I started with the revelation given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet, regarding the Word of Wisdom and shared a little with her the blessings of living the Word of Wisdom.  It wasn’t really easy for her to accept because she was truly stressed out and overthinking about how abandoned she feels that probably is a punishment for all the bad things.  Since her husband passed away her only child left to the UK.  She’ll smoke and drink to ease her problems. 

Prior to her being admitted in intensive care unit, she asked is it all time that she’ll see her husband. 

During her stay in ICU her condition worsened and me and my family visited her more often and she admittedly said I know that this is not the end of me, she continued and said my girl please grant me an opportunity to get baptize soon as I die.  Get my details for temple ordinance as you’ve mentioned.  On May 2016 she passed away.  I was grateful that I shared my beliefs with her.  Although her passing was sad, I knew that it was Heavenly Father’s will. 

This increased my conversion to the Lord and His church and inspired greatly my courage to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As I’ve always desired as a young person, I knew this was all true, as I realized that I could make this truth known to the living.

Sister Akintoke

(Left) Home Country South Africa

My conversion story began since I was a child.  I happened to be baptized when I was 8 years old.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ has helped and comforted me even when my mum wasn’t staying with us.  It has taught me that Heavenly Father loves me so much and that I can be united with my family again.

After college, I felt inspired to give the Lord my 18 months in serving him.  I have always had the feelings to serve the Lord when I was young. My patriarch blessing has always helped me in knowing what I should do. 

My sister also wanted to serve the Lord.  We put our mission papers in the same day and then we received our calls the same day.  We entered the MTC the same day, too.  I am 24 and my sister is 26. 

I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, it makes me feel his love and that families are eternal.  I know the Book of Mormon is indeed another testament of Jesus Christ.  I feel my Savior’s love.  I testif of this truth in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Story of the Beautiful Blessings of Paying Tithing

Sister Esther John
June 2016

I worked very hard to earn enough money to continue my studies and to take my exams.  As the day approached for the final payment of all my school fees, I earned 15,000 Naira but 25,000 was needed.  But I knew the importance of tithing and felt that I had to pay tithing, even though that would leave me short for school fees.  It is a known fact that ALL fees must be paid by the deadline.  I paid my tithing and went to the school to see if I could work something out.  I explained that I had a payment coming to me in a week and would be able to complete payment of all of it at that time.  I was told no, I must pay all or nothing.  As I was walking away feeling very discouraged, a man who I had never met or seen before approached me and gave me the rest of the money I needed to register for school.

I know that listening to our Father and obeying His commandments that there is a blessing attached to it.  I know that faith is a seed that when we plant, we water it and take good care of it that it will grow and we nurture it and harvest it.  That is having faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior.  Because of the faith I have in Jesus Christ, I had to bring out my tithing from the same amount of money I was paid and I received the blessing.