Elder Holland’s Africa Trip & Dedication of Cameroon & Rwanda
October 21, 2009 by DH
Filed under Mormon Africa
Elder Holland Visits African Nations and Dedicates Cameroon and Rwanda
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the LDS Church recently visited multiple African nations and dedicated two countries, Cameroon and Rwanda, for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Holland visited Africa during a two week period of August. Elder Holland became the first known apostle to ever visit either Cameroon or Rwanda. Elder Holland also visited African countries including: Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. There are 4 branches of the LDS Church in Yaounde, Cameroon with 1 missionary couple and 8 missionaries serving there.
I’ve wanted to post about this for quite some time but can never seem to find time. Despite the fact that it happened a couple of months ago the significance of the blessing of two nations is not lessened. As such here are some of the resources I was able to find and the highlights and links of the respective articles:
Dedication Blesses Two African Nations – LDS Church News
- This is probably the most comprehensive resource there is. Further it includes multiple pictures of the entire 16 day tour of Africa.
- Cameroon’s dedication was done on a hill overlooking Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon. Cameroon was dedicated on August 21, 2009.
- Similar to Cameroon, Rwanda was dedicated from a mountain overlooking the capital, Kigali. It was dedicated on August 27, 2009.
- There seems to be at least one branch in Rwanda as it references the presence of a Branch President, Eric K. Hyde.
- Elder Holland visited Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and the missionaries there.
- Elder Holland split the Kinshasa DR Congo Stake, forming the 8th stake in DR Congo. Approximately 2700 members heard the conference. During the conference 56 men were ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood. He also met with the mayor of Kinshasa, or at the very least shook her hand. See the source for a picture.
- Elder Holland was accompanied on the trip by Elder Paul E. Koelliker. Elder Koelliker is a member of the Seventy as well as President of the Africa Southeast Area.
- He visited with zone leaders of the Kenya Nairobi Mission in Nairobi, Kenya.
- He visited an orphanage in Uganda.
- His trip ended with a visit to the Mutare Zimbabwe District.
- Here is a great quote from Elder Holland from the LDS Church News article:
“I want the Saints to know that Africa is one of the bright, beautiful emerging frontiers of the Church,” he said. “It sounds ominous sometimes just to hear the word ‘Africa’ because we think of dangers. Like any other place there can be dangers, but for the Church and the members it is one highlight after another, one bright spot after another.
“These people are so given to faith. I’ve often thought that perhaps the Lord in His justice, mercy and outreach made up for what they don’t have in material blessings by giving them an extra measure of spiritual blessing and insight.”
Reactions of Full-Time Missionaries in Cameroon
This page includes some of the testimonies of the Elders who participated in zone conferences with Elder Holland while he is there. Each Elder shares a short testimony of their experience with Elder Holland and some pictures of their mission in Cameroon.
LDS Church Growth also has posts on the dedication about Cameroon and Rwanda that are excellent, including many comments and analysis.
The “Mormon Africa” section also contains lots of other articles about Mormon Church growth in Africa.
My son has been in Cameroon for three months and is having a wonderful time. He is not used to the heat and has been a little sick and lost a bit of weight but the Senior Couple have been a great blessing to him and all the missionaries there. He was blown away by the kindness of the people and their humility. I envy him and love to hear his weekly reports.
John,
Sounds fascinating! If you ever want to share something that your son has experienced (with his permission of course) feel free to email mormonworld@gmail.com and we discuss you writing a post or two. Hope your son is well.
DH
You black people in Africa!Do you know that Joseph Smith the founder of Mormonism said black people were a curse? Those of you blacks who want to join the Mormon Church should do your research,and pray for God to guide you through the right path.
I am an African from one of those countries that are being brainwashed by the so called Joseph Smith’s Mormons.I live in the United States where this religious cult originated.It is sad because while in school I was called,”the curse of the world” by a Mormon student just because I was black.Knowing that Mormons see blacks this way,makes me wonder what motivated them to start laying eggs in Africa.Those wonderful Africans are naive,and are unware that they are being deceived.You Mormons!There is nothing Christ like in your teachings,and don’t be deceived,the lord is watching.A hell with your fancy temples!!!!!