He Spoke I Went

A couple of weeks ago, I accepted the assignment to attend a small congregation of the Church referred to as a branch. For the past two Sundays, I have traveled about 100 kilometers from my flat to worship with a small but mighty branch of the Church in eMalahleni (Witbank). Though few in number, the saints there radiate a deep love for the Savior and a genuine devotion to serving and loving one another. The Spirit in that chapel felt far greater than its size.

I was especially inspired watching seven faithful priesthood holders gather together, earnestly discussing how to mentor and prepare the next generation of church leaders. Their focus wasn’t on personal recognition—it was on the spiritual growth of the youth and the future strength of the Lord’s kingdom in this part of His vineyard.

It brought to mind the Lord’s promise in Alma 37:6: “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

These brethren are quietly living that principle, ministering in small and simple ways that will yield eternal blessings, as described in Doctrine and Covenants 64:33: “Be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.”

In God’s eyes, the size of a congregation never limits the reach of His work. Often it is in small, humble settings that the greatest seeds of faith are planted—seeds that will bless many generations to come.

As I drove home, I thought about the Savior’s teaching in Matthew 13:31–32 about the mustard seed: “…which a man took, and sowed in his field… the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree…”

The saints in eMalahleni are planting and nurturing mustard seeds of faith. In the months ahead, I look forward to watching this congregation—and many like it—continue to grow and bless all who come to hear the good news of the restored gospel and find refuge within its branches. I also look forward to learning from their examples of Christlike love and service.

I can stand as a witness that the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is rolling forth all across the South Africa Pretoria Mission—just as described in Doctrine and Covenants 65:2: “The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.”

Praying you will have a blessed week and feel the Saviors love for you and your family.

While participating in a team-building activity with a couple missionaries on their preparation day, I had the privilege of conversing with an amazing missionary—someone who embodies quiet courage and unwavering faith. He grew up in a small town of just 1,700 people and departed on his mission from the very home where he was born. No spotlight, no applause—just a simple “yes” to God’s call to spread the good news of the gospel, to serve Him with all his heart, might, mind, and strength.

This incredible missionary was assigned to serve in the South Africa Pretoria Mission—a world away from the familiar streets of his hometown in southern Utah. Imagine the faith it takes to leave everything you’ve ever known, headed to a foreign country, not for comfort or adventure, but with one deep desire: to help bring one soul unto Jesus Christ.

His story reminds me of the parable of the starfish, in which a boy walks along a beach covered in thousands of stranded starfish, tossing them back into the sea one by one. A passerby, observing the boy’s efforts, remarks, “There are hundreds of stranded starfish—you can’t possibly make a difference.” After a moment of reflection, the boy replies as he throws another back into the ocean, “It made a difference to that one.”

That’s what missions are really about. Not numbers. Not applause. Just an expression of the pure love of Christ. One person making a difference in the life of another. One person sharing their love of the Savior by helping His work move forward.

Jesus taught, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). Every effort to save even one soul brings eternal joy to heaven.

As the Lord revealed, “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; for, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–11).

God does not measure the size of your hometown or the distance you travel. He looks at the size of your heart and your willingness to go and do. And when one person says “yes”—even from the smallest town—it can echo into eternity.

So if you’re wondering whether your “yes” matters, remember: it always does. Especially to the one who is struggling to find their way home to a loving Heavenly Father. I know for me and my family, it has made all the difference in the world over the past decade.

I know that Jesus is the Christ. He lives, and through Him we will be reunited with our loved ones throughout the eternities. This wisdom and knowledge, gained over time, has provided the sure foundation my family needs to endure the trials and tribulations of life. It gives us an unshakable understanding of where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going.

It is my prayer that you will feel an abundance of the Saviors love for you and your family during the upcoming week.

Today was an awesome day. I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Johannesburg South Africa Temple with a group of young men from all over the world who are currently serving full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the South Africa Pretoria Mission. Each of them has set aside two years of their lives, living behind family, friends and comfortable surroundings to serve God by sharing a message of eternal significance.

I asked several missionaries what message they hope to convey to those they meet. Here are some of their responses:

• An increased faith in Jesus Christ

• Repentance is an underutilized gift

• The need to follow Jesus into the waters of baptism

• Jesus Christ lives

• Jesus loves us deeply and personally

• Through Him, we can find peace during the trials and uncertainties of life

• Eternal families

• Daily repentance is daily happiness

• To be forgiven, one must forgive

Attending the temple together was an inspiring and sacred experience—one that reminded us of our divine purpose while focusing our hearts and minds on the Savior and the holy work of gathering Israel.

President Russell M. Nelson taught:“Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel.”

These amazing elders can be described as covenant-makers, covenant-keepers and covenant-gatherers. And that work begins—again and again—in the House of the Lord.

Elder David A. Bednar testified:

“The temple is the point of intersection between heaven and earth. … It is the house of the Lord. It is a place where sacred covenants are made and eternal ordinances are performed.”

What a joy it was to be in the temple today with these stripling warriors in the Lord’s cause—united in purpose, in faith, and in Christ.

Different nations. Different languages. But one mission. One faith. One Savior.

I testify that the gathering of Israel is real and families can be forever. Heavenly Father is hastening His work. And the temple is at the heart of it all.

As I sat waiting to board my flight, my heart was full. This moment is bittersweet. On July 2, 2023, I said goodbye to my beloved wife, Tisa, after her long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She faced every trial with grace, faith, steadfastness, and unwavering strength. Her favorite words still echo in my heart: “I have faith in Him, I have hope through Him, and I have fight in me.”

Today, I carry that same faith, hope, determination, and grace as I begin an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I carry her spirit and testimony with me as I move forward in faith to serve the people of Pretoria, South Africa.

I want to thank all those who have walked beside me—through grief, through healing, and now into the mission field. Your prayers, your encouragement, and your kindness have lifted me more than you know. The support I’ve received during these final weeks of preparation has been overwhelming. I am deeply grateful for every act of service—from ensuring I had snacks for the plane, to checking that my bags weren’t overweight, hanging and sewing curtains, and helping pack up the house.

This mission is not just a new destination—it’s a continuation of a promise I made to Heavenly Father, to Jesus Christ, and to Tisa: to keep going, to keep believing, and to keep sharing the good news of the gospel. I go forward in faith—not alone, but with her memory in my heart, your words and cards of encouragement on my mind, and the Savior as my guide.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… lo, I am with you alway.” —Matthew 28:19–20.

“ As for me and my family we will serve the Lord” — Joshua 24:15

Praying God will not only be with you until we meet again but enrich your lives with an abundance of peace, joy happiness, and love.

During a Preach My Gospel class, I was asked to share my testimony about the relationship between the Bible and the Book of Mormon. These were my thoughts:

The Bible and the Book of Mormon are sacred scriptures that together contain the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They complement and enrich each other, each reinforcing gospel principles in powerful and inspired ways. Both are compilations of the teachings and testimonies of ancient prophets. The Bible records God’s interactions with His children in the Eastern Hemisphere, while the Book of Mormon records His interactions with His children in the ancient Americas.

I have a testimony that these sacred books fulfill the divine law of witnesses, which teaches that “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (see Ezekiel 37:16–17; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 2 Nephi 11:2–3). In harmony with this law, both scriptures testify of Jesus Christ—His birth, ministry, Atonement, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and divine appearance in both the Old and New Worlds.

My life has been richly blessed as I have made the effort to prayerfully study both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Through them, I have come to know more fully the divinity of Jesus Christ and have drawn closer to our Lord and Savior.

I testify that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon—even if you have read it before—and do so with real intent and a sincere desire to know the truth, the Spirit of the Lord will enter your heart in greater measure. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. He willingly suffered for my heartaches in Gethsemane and gave His life on the cross so that I can repent and be forgiven of my shortcomings. I know He rose from the dead, and because of His Resurrection, I will live again with my family—and through His restored gospel and Church, I can find peace, purpose, and the path back to my Heavenly Father.

I invite you to read the Book of Mormon with an open heart and allow its words speak to your soul. As you read, ponder, and pray, I know the Holy Ghost will testify to you—as it has to me—that it is the word of God and another witness of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

After spending a few days in the Missionary Training Center (MTC), I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to all who have supported my family over the years—especially more recently—as I have sought to answer the call to become a fisher of men. (Matthew 4:18-20)

These past few days have been incredible. I have witnessed God’s hand in the intimate details of my life. Again and again, I have been reminded of Heavenly Father’s love for me—especially through the testimonies, tears and experiences shared by fellow missionaries. Together, we have felt the comfort, joy and peace that come from striving to live Christ-centered lives. Although we have shared stories of individual struggles, it’s these experiences which have instilled a deep desire to invite all of God’s children to ponder the profound question found in Matthew 22:42:

“What think ye of Christ?”

May we be able to answer, as Simon Peter did, both with our words and our lives: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

It is my sincere hope and desire to be a useful instrument in the Lord’s hands—to share the joy, healing, and blessings that come through developing a personal relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

One rite of passage for missionaries entering the MTC is pointing to our assigned area on the map. I am honored and excited to serve in Pretoria, South Africa.

As I sat quietly in the temple yesterday, I found myself thinking about the people of Pretoria, South Africa—the mission where I have been called to serve. I asked the Lord what message He wanted me share not only for this post but also the people of South Africa.

In the sacred stillness, these words from Elder Dale G. Renlund came to mind:

“The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore; He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken; He compensates for any unfairness inflicted on you; and He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts… As you embrace your divine identity as a child of God, stay in dialogue with Heavenly Father and the Savior…” Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God April 2020 General Conference

This is the message I want to share: Jesus Christ heals. He restores. He knows you. Because of Him, no wound is too deep, and no life is too broken to be made whole again. As we lean into His Atonement we can feel peace, comfort and hope in knowing He lives, knows our struggles and most importantly loves us beyond comprehension.

Happy Birthday Mom

I tried writing the perfect tribute to Tisa on the anniversary of her reunion with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but figured I could spend a week trying to adequately capture her essence.

I didn’t choose South Africa, it was chosen for me by a loving Heavenly Father who knows His children and where their talents are needed the most. Every step toward this mission was built on promptings, some gentle, some unmistakable, and some from members of other faiths.

I go forward in faith: hoping to spread the good news of the restored Gospel, to bring souls unto Christ and proclaim He Lives.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Romans 1:16)

When we feel hesitant or worried about leaving behind comfort and predictability, we can remember Jonah and choose instead to trust that the Lord’s plan is better than any plan of our own.

I know that I have been called to be a witness in Pretoria to lift up my voice, to share a message of hope, faith and of Jesus Christs love for us. As I enter the mission field I will help others build faith in Him, find hope through Him, and strengthen their fight within themselves.

I believe Heavenly Father still calls ordinary people from the bench to leave home, to cross oceans, in order to share the good news of His gospel. I have answered that call…not because I am perfect, but because I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of all Mankind, who suffered all so that all can be blessed through the Atonement..

In this blog, I plan to share moments of faith, hope, love, grace and inspiration during my mission to Pretoria, South Africa.

Like John the Baptist, I seek only to prepare hearts for the Savior’s return. May the words shared here reflect His love, not mine. “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord…” (John 1:23)