Highline Ward

Elder Carlos A. Godoy shared his experiences serving in the Africa South Area, emphasizing the profound faith and positive attitude of the members there. Both generational families and new converts are dedicating their time and talents to the Lord, transforming their lives through Church programs like tithing and educational opportunities. The African saints embody the principle that true joy has little to do with life's circumstances and everything to do with focusing on Jesus Christ and His gospel. This deep spiritual focus allows them to approach significant challenges with "smiling faces and grateful hearts."

Elder Godoy provides several powerful examples to illustrate this principle, recounting stories of saints in Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. These members are making great sacrifices, such as walking long distances to attend meetings, working through the night to provide for their families, and happily gathering in humble or overflowing rented meetinghouses, all without complaint. He points to the Savior's Atonement as the ultimate source of this strength and hope. He testified that Christ bore all pains and afflictions to know how to "succor his people according to their infirmities." The promise of finding rest by taking the Savior's yoke upon us, as taught in Matthew 11, is true for the faithful saints in Africa and everywhere else.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/54godoy?lang=eng