The real Africa!

A Field Trip

On Monday June 29, 2015, the SAJM hosted the temple missionaries for a field trip and tour.  This wonderful group of people are from all over the US and SA and have come together to serve in the Johannesburg Temple. Even though we all serve  together in Johannesburg, we don't actually get to spend much time together.
(*I will post all the names of our guests once I confirm accuracy)

So, I was asked if we could arrange a tour of our mission offices and MTC and we also wanted to include the mission home. So, in thinking about it, I decided it would be fun to expand the opportunity and give them a little bit of mission history.
So, I invited Ike and Edwina Swartzburg to join with us for the mission home tour and lunch.

Ike and Edwina have quite their own story. Today, we got to introduce them to the senior couples and have them share a specific experience they had with the mission in 1973, over 40 years ago. I have posted this story at the end, so you can read it also.

After the mission office tour and MTC, they came to the mission home and we enjoyed lunch together.

The Lombardy's are the newest couple to the area office. They are church history missionaries and have already served one mission in Swaziland. We have just got to know them and love them already!

The Firmage's are from Maine and serve in the Johannesburg Temple.

Sister Taylor, in the middle, organized this fun outing. She and her husband served in our mission office when we first arrived.

The Swartburgs enjoyed everyone's company and they got to know Kayla Westpfahl, my YSA helper and friend.

Irene Shabalaya also enjoyed the outing with all of us. I am so glad when I can get her to come and enjoy the social occasions. This was a special opportunity.

Everyone enjoyed the butternut soup, homemade whole wheat bread, cole slaw and delicious dessert brought from the Lombardy's.

Enjoying conversation

Sister Taylor's delicious homemade dessert

Our AP's came and enjoyed lunch and also helped out with a tour. It was much more fun for the senior couples to have these great Elders give them a personal tour of their mission home!

After lunch, Ike Swartsburg shared his personal opportunity to serve under 5 mission presidents. He told of the amazing chance to  record President Spencer W. Kimball's Re-Dedication of the Country of South Africa. (listed below)

What a special opportunity this was for all of us. We will long remember what we felt and what we heard.

Historical documents listed below:

THE HISTORY AND MIRACLE OF THE RE-DEDICATION OF THE LAND OF SOUTH AFRICA ON THE 2ND DECEMBER 1973

Written by Ike Swatzberg

I was converted from Judaism and baptized by Ronald Alfred Kunitz, my brother-in-law-a very worthy member of the church. He has since served a s a bishop in South Africa, at the time of writing a bishop in Tuela, Utah, U.S.A.

I married Edwina, his sister, in 1966, April 2^nd, after I was baptized in March 1966. Between us we have four children who were all members of the church. The boys who I brought into the union of a previous marriage served honorable missions in RSA and Zimbabwe.

I have ad some callings in the church, one as bishop. My most precious calling, which still lives in my memory, was as a counselor to mission president, Robert P.Thorne. I also served as a counselor to presidents Lowell D. Wood, Phillip Margetts, Maurice Bateman, Richard Clarke, and Peter Mourick. Each of these brethren and their lovely companions have had a profound influence in my life.

On the 31^st October 2014, a young sister at the Primary Program related the story of the dedication of the Land of South Africa by three missionaries on Lions Head in Cape Town, Cape Province in the 1800’s My mind went back to November 1973. I…decided to record the experience and miracle of the re-dedication of our choice land by our beloved Spencer w. Kimball at the mission home, Cumorah, Johannesburg, South Africa.

In a mission Presidency meeting, President Thorne announced that President Kimball was coming to the RSA. He was then the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Thorne stated that the work was slow and the missionaries were not as successful as he had hoped. He was inspired to approach President Kimball to re-dedicate the land of South Africa when he visited in December.

After a telephone call to Church headquarters, President Kimball graciously agreed. A date, the 2^nd December, at 7am was established. This was just before the commencement of a conference of our one and only stake in the old Transvaal.  We duly notified all the leaders and missionaries to be present at the appointed hour at Cumorah.

I must mention here that recording equipment was not as sophisticated as today. I was moved to ask and did receive permission to record the re-dedication. I set up the equipment the night before.

I woke at five am on the 2^nd of December to the sound of pouring rain and the telephone. Bob Thorne said, “Isaac, it is raining cats and dogs here.” In view that the gathering was in the garden of Cumorah, with at least 150 people expected, I could sympathize with his concern and worry. The mission home was too small and to divert the members was too late.  “Pray,” I said. “What do you think I have been doing?” was the reply. “Let’s continue,” I said. I telephoned C Lionel Bibb, the other counselor, and suggested he joins us in our perspective homes. I do not know what the others said, but ‘Ale Fiddler on the Roof’, I begged and pleaded for a ‘miracle’.

Edwina and I left for Johannesburg. The rain did not abate. We arrived at Cumorah. Some members had arrived drenched. We entered the home. We all milled about. Chairs were not set up. My recording equipment, still covered, stood forlornly on the veranda. The rain cascaded down.

Ten minutes to seven…the rain stopped! Sunshine broke forth through the trees. The chairs were hastily arranged. We assembled. At seven o’clock President Kimball smilingly appeared. He had a full-scrap notebook in his hand as also a yellow pencil. This still sticks in my mind. President Thorne called the meeting to order. An opening song. An invocation. President Thorne called upon President Kimball. I started my recorder, praying it would work.

In his well known, beloved and instantly recognized voice, he started. “Our Heavenly Father, Our Eternal Father, Oh God, Our Eternal Father, we come before Thee this morning…And we dedicate it in the name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, whom we praise and honor and worship. Amen.”

The service ended. The chairs were brought on to the veranda. In the stillness I remember a dog barking, silence. Suddenly the heavens opened, the rains cascaded down and continued all day.

I sti;l have the tape recording. After having the contents typed, I forwarded a copy to President Kimball. He advised it was correct. I then had a booklet printed. I caused a copy to be covered in a leopard skin and sent it to him as a keepsake.

The miracle did not end there, soon after this event he became the twelfth prophet of the church. In the prayer he asked his friend and Savior for the following, “Open their hearts that the government may open doors.”  The missionary quota to South Africa was lifted soon there after and we are allowed to ‘bring in’ as many missionaries as we need.

“Let peace envelop this land.” The transition without bloodshed twenty-one years on. “Freedom of belief…” now entrenched in our Constitution.

“We are grateful for this great Stake, the first of many to dot the cities.” We now have eleven stakes and many wards and branches with local missionaries, serving in the three missions in the RSA.

We look forward to the day oh Father, when all the processes might converge to bring a Temple to this land. There stands our Temple, a light to the world.

I have seen God’s miracle. I have witnessed and heard a great prophet’s supplication to our Father in Heaven. I have lived to see the answer to his humble entreating of a wonderful God and His Son, who answers righteous prayer.

I testify that Joseph was a choice prophet who restored God’s church, now also in this land we love.

May we not let God’s gift to us be in vain.

In the sacred name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

The following transcription of the Re-Dedicatory prayer was provided by the recorder, Ike Swartberg.

Re-Dedication of the land of South Africa

Dec. 3, 1973

Spencer W. Kimball

“Our Heavenly Father, our Eternal Father, O God, our Eternal Father, we come before thee this morning in deep reverence, in deep humility and in deep gratitude for all the blessings that Thou has showered upon us. We are grateful for this day. We are grateful for the privilege we have, gathering together in this beautiful spot on Thy landscape.  We come to Thee today as leaders of the Stake and of the Mission in this land to re-dedicate the land, that the people may open their hearts, that the government may open doors, that the things which we teach, which are all clean and righteous and faith building and character building, that they may reach the great masses of people in this area. Let Thy great kindness conquer and subdue the unbelief of this people. Change any stony hearts there may be to hearts of flesh, and dispel the cold mists of darkness which dilute the beaming rays of the sun.”

“Father, we are grateful for the many blessings. We are grateful that we know Thee, that we know that Thou are our Father, in very deed, the Father of our spirits. We are grateful that we know that Thou art our Father, in very deed, the Father of our spirits. We are grateful that we know Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Elder brother, who is also the God of this land, and has created many things. We are grateful that the Gospel was established by Him. It is the Gospel. It was created before the world was organized. And now, it has been given to the earth at different dispensations, and again restored to us this day. We are grateful for the priesthood, which is the power that Thou hast given us to act in Thy stead, and all the gifts and blessings we are thankful for. Father, we grateful for the revelations that come from Thee to Thou servants and through them to Thy numerous handmaidens and servants in this earth, to bring knowledge and power and faith and testimony to them. We are grateful for all the opportunities and privileges, for this is a Church of the people, where everyone has some opportunity to serve and magnify and to develop himself. We are grateful for the scriptures which have come through the prophets of the past, and to show us the true way of life. We are grateful for the prophets of yesterday and the prophets of this day, from Adam to this day. We are grateful for all that has come to us in the joys and privileges, from Joseph Smith to President Harold B. Lee. We are grateful for each of the eleven prophets who have presided over this Church, and this world.  We thank Thee our Father for this beautiful land, with its flowering trees and bushes and plants, with its greenery, with its soil that is deep and rich. We are grateful Father for all the flora and fauna thereof. We are grateful, our Father, for the wealth that lies under the surface of this land, for diamonds in great profusion, and gold and valuable things. The things of life are found in rich abundance; we are grateful that they provide for our people, employment, and the blessings of the land. We are grateful for warm-hearted people who live in this city and this land, and these provinces. And we are begging of Thee now, to put all in order, so that they may receive the Gospel through the missionary effort. Father, we are grateful for the seeds that have been planted in this land, the seeds of righteousness, the seeds of truth and honor and integrity. And we ask Thee to harvest; to help us harvest those seeds that have been planted.”

“Let peace envelope this land. Bless the leadership of this country to the end that Thou people might have always freedom of belief, opportunities to teach, and the chance to learn and get acquainted with the people. Touch the hearts of the magistrates, the leaders of this land, and cause them to open the doors to the righteous efforts of our people, who will proselyte and bring many to knowledge of the truth. Bless all those good people in this land, the honest in heart who have a sense of righteousness, who want to do right. Help them, Father, that they may open their hearts, and that they may be listening and ready for the Gospel, the great luxury of Christ, the Prince of Peace. Father, from the center of Thy center stakes, far away, will continue to come missionaries, who, with the local missionaries will find and teach and convert and baptize. Bless their efforts, make them fruitful. Open the doors to them, Oh Father, inspire the missionaries that they may be rich in purpose and diligent in service, that no hungry or thirsty soul may ever miss the privilege of hearing and accepting the truth. Let not their enemies prevail against them. Let not weariness of taciturn or carelessness prevent the conversion of the many people. Bless the seeds that have been planted and let them come forth in beautiful flower. Bless all the conversions, Father, and all the people who accept the Gospel, that they may live Thy commandments. Thou hast promised us, Father, the fullness of the earth and all the good things that come from the earth, for food, and raiment and houses and barns and orchards and gardens and vineyards and for all the food and the raiment, the taste and smell, for the strengthening of the body and enlivening of the soul. And for all this we are grateful.”

“Now in this 120 years in which the Gospel has been on this land, we are grateful for the progress that has been made. We are grateful for this great Stake, the Beginning and the first of many to dot the cities and the areas of this nation. And we ask Thee to cause that the people may respond. Bless all the saints in this land who will make the effort to find interested people and make connections so that they may receive the truth. Bless all the missionaries with health and strength, especially with discernment and inspiration, that they may be impressive in their proselyting, numerous thousands may be convinced, and comforted and converted, that they numbers may increase, and Wards and Stakes and Branches may dot this land, that it will grow in numbers and in power. We look forward to the day, Our father, when all the processes might converge to bring a temple to this land, wherein all the youth and the people of this land may have their endowments and the blessings that are available to righteous people. We ask Thee now to bless the Presidency of the Church and the Kingdom, and the Brethren who assist them. Bless their extended efforts, that Thy work might continue to go on and progress. This land has been dedicated before long ago, but now we rededicate it for Thy Holy purposes where the sons and daughters of Israel may gather and sing praises unto Thee. Thou, Oh Father, who didst covenant with Abraham, Thy friend, and who didst renew that covenant with Isaac, and confirm the same with Jacob with an oath that Thou wouldst remember their seed forever. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have long ago closed their eyes in death and made the grave their mansion. But their children have been dispersed among the nations of the earth, including this land.”

“May we pray now, Our Father, for this land, this beautiful land. Cause that the soil may bring forth grass and feed the flocks and the herds and let the fields smile with plenty. Let the flocks and herds multiply upon the hills and in the valleys. Let this be a beautiful land, and industrious people, and a health filled climate. Father, let Zion grow, let Stakes multiply. Let people become more righteous. We pray all these things, Our Father, and call to Thine attention the good people that have already gathered here, who have already accepted the truth, who have had the courage to set aside the world and to accept into their hearts the truths of the everlasting Gospel and all that it includes. And so we now rededicate this great land of South Africa to the preaching of the Gospel, to the conversion of the people, to the transformation of lives. And ask Thee, Our Father, to keep it in mind, to keep it in Thy sight, to never let it be forgotten by Thee. Now we bless all these good people and we dedicate it in the name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer whom we praise and honor and worship. Amen”

Divide and Conquer!

As we travel to Pretoria today in anticipation of a BIG announcement, we wanted to post this and share as much information as we have.

Growth in the church and changing circumstances in countries has historically resulted in mission boundary changes. But when it happens in YOUR mission, it is suddenly very, very personal and impactful. In our 12 months here, this is the biggest news that has hit us and we are responding the best we know how. Below is excerpts from a letter President Dunn has just sent out to all the parents of our missionaries.  In a few hours this news will be announced to all impacted missionaries and then to all the SAJM. 

We have just hosted President and Sister Wilson overnight in the mission home and discussed details and logistics with them. It helps it feel better to be able to hand off these great missionaries to great people.

We are glad to have Elder Worton and Elder Olson to assist in this transition and be helpful at every turn.

President Dunn and I have spent the past few days visiting with all the senior couples in the impacted area, explaining all of it, so they can be on board and helpful to the junior missionaries.

Here is the letter sent out to parents:
I will post more pictures of the event later today:

On Sunday June 28, 2015, we have a historic milestone in the missionary work here in Africa which was announced this morning, and will take effect this coming week.

In a recent meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, approval was given to realign the boundary between the Botswana/Namibia and South Africa Johannesburg Missions, and to transfer the Pretoria South Africa Stake and the Tzaneen South Africa District from the South Africa Johannesburg Mission to the Botswana/Namibia Mission. This change will be effective 1 July, 2015, and will affect 45 missionaries currently serving in the Pretoria, Sunnyside and Tzaneen Zones of the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.

This change in mission boundaries coincides with the splitting of the Pretoria Stake and the formation of the new, Mabopane Stake. Both the new stake and the adjustments to the mission boundaries were proposed and sustained by the members and missionaries in a special stake conference held this morning in Pretoria. The net effect of this move is that it transfers a stake and district from the South Africa Johannesburg Mission. It will also immediately bolster the compliment of missionaries in the Botswana/Namibia Mission which has struggled to get missionaries into those countries due to visa issues for the past 18 months. As a geography reminder, these two countries are adjacent to South Africa, and are located on its northern border. The affected zones from the South Africa Johannesburg Mission are the northernmost areas of our mission, and a logical addition to the Botswana/Namibia Mission.

Afterwards, we gathered all the missionaries that are now part of the new Botswana Namibia Mission. What a terrific, resilient group.

The missionaries officially reassigned to the Botswana/Namibia Mission are:

Elder Theodore Dandrick Barendse

Elder James Rex Bryner

Elder Kenneth Dylan Christie

Elder Duwayne Fernando DeSouza

Elder Peter Mpaulo Diogo

Elder Enoc Teancum Garnica

Elder Seth Alexander Going

Elder Afina Hunt

Elder Ray Hunt

Elder Teemu Samuel Kankkunen

Elder Ken Kobbina Kenyah

Elder Brian Kusi-Poku

Elder Daniel Liera

Elder Jarom Alexander Lybe

Elder Albert James May

Elder James Almon McAllister

Elder Kelly McClellan

Elder Jorden Paul McQueen

Elder Elisha Mugenyi

Elder Sicelo Falakhe Ndlovu

Elder Václav Novotný

Elder James D. McKay Oldroyd

Elder Felix Paul

Elder Aaron Leslie Reynolds

Elder Turner McKay Richards

Elder Jacob Blake Saunders

Elder Duke Malcolm Smith-Holley

Elder Joshua Alexander Stilgoe

Elder Simon Ssendege

Elder Jared Michael Cornelis Stomps

Elder Mose Johnny Togiatomai

Elder Andre Edward Daniel Thompson

Elder Teamakaia Louis Adolph Bonard Tumarae

Elder Andries Petrus Van Heerden

Elder Kayl Michael Williams

Elder Mitchell Allen Williams

Elder Gerald Woniala

Senior Couples: 
Elder Max Butler and Sister Janis Cardon Butler

Elder Steven Roy Campbell and Sister Loretta Evans Campbell

Elder Larry LaVarr Hansen and Sister Melanie Hansen

Elder Bryan Mark Winward and Sister Valerie Jean Winward

You can see all the missionaries now gathered with Elder and Sister Cook, as well as President and Sister Wilson and President and Sister Dunn, as well as President and Sister Chator, the Area Seventy.

While we are obviously saddened to part with these great missionaries whom we have come to know and love as sons (…along with four of the best senior couples to be found anywhere), it is inspiring—and in fact more accurately, dizzying—to see the hand of the Lord move the work forward on this African continent. In addition to strengthening the ability to handle the burgeoning work of building the kingdom in the north, this is a pioneering opportunity to stretch and grow which will bless the lives of all involved. Even though these missionaries will be adding and expanding their experience, they will always be a part of the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.

We are excited to introduce the new Mission President and Companion— President and Sister Wilson


We know President and Sister Wilson and they are

outstanding people and seasoned servants of God. They have already served two years of their three-year call in the Botswana Gaborone Mission, and so are experienced leaders of a mission. Their home is in West Jordan, Utah and they are the parents of five children. President Wilson, who was born in

Columbus, Ohio is steeped in church experience having served as a counselor in a stake presidency and is a former bishop, high councilor, elders quorum president, and Young Men president. Professionally he worked as an engineer with Ceramatec, Inc. Sister Wilson, who is from Payson, Utah, has also served in many callings including as a former ward Relief Society president, ward Primary president. Again, your  sons will love serving with this terrific couple.

 I testify to you that God is indeed in charge. And that this is but one more evidence of the hastening of the work. As the Book of Mormon asserts, “But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men…” (1 Nephi 9:6). Elder Neal Maxwell also reminds us that all things do work together for our good. “Trust in the Lord as He leads you along,” said Elder Maxwell. “He has things for you to do that

you won't know about now but that will unfold later. If you stay close to Him, You will have some great adventures. The Lord will unfold your future bit by bit.”

One thing is for sure, it will be an adventure! And we feel so blessed to be a part of this historic and inspired move forward. Below are pictures from the meeting today. It was so impressive to see how the Elders rose to the occasion.

After the announcement and sustaining in the general stake conference meeting, Elder Carl B. Cook had all the missionaries gathered after for a special meeting. All the senior couples joined with us. It was nice to see the immediate reaction of the Elders. They seemed excited to be part of an exciting new opportunity.

We took lots of pictures together with many Elders. We love each and every one of them. Elder Lybe stays in Tzaneen for now. He has a great attitude and is excited about the opportunities ahead. 

The Butlers and all the senior couples are a huge part of helping this transition roll forward smoothly. Elder Saunders leaves in 6 weeks and is excited about the changes he gets to experience before heading home.

Of course we had to offer a meal to these Elders who were detained due to all the extra meetings and interviews planned for the day. So, we planned a sloppy joe lunch and everyone appreciated the time to relax and eat.
Above, Elders Smith-Holley, Kankunen, McClellan and Bryner

Elders Thompson, Stomps, Going, Tumarae, Olson, Reynolds, Williams and Togaitomai

Elders May, Stilgoe, McCallister, Oldroyd and our newest Elder DeSouza. 

Elders Paul, Kusi Poku, Novotny, Van Heerdan, Barendse, Williams and Woniala

Elders A. Hunt, R. Hunt, McQueen, Garnica, Diogo, Kenyah and Christie

Chatting with Elder Smith-Holley (above)
and Elder Garnica (below)

This group of Elders are known as the Tzaneen Gang. They all served together with the Campbells over the past few months. They will forever have this bond.

After lunch, President and Sister Wilson met with all the missionaries and shared more information about themselves, their family of five children and also about their service in Botswana and Namibia. They answered any questions and shared their plans to come soon and visit with each and every missionary.

This awesome group of senior couples are also moving into the new mission boundaries. We have LOVED serving with each and every one of them and feel the Lord's hand is in this change. The Wilson;s are so lucky to get these great people to help support and embrace the missionaries. We love them all so much.
L to R- Campbells, Hansens, Butlers and Winwards.

Senior Couples Pictured with Sister Wilson:
She and President Wilson are so lucky to get to work with these wonderful people. They currently have 1 senior couple in their entire mission, so this addition will be a great boon to their work.

Elders A. Hunt, Kenyah and Oldroyd pausing to visit before we all leave.

It is good to see the camaraderie among these Elders who will be staying together.

Elder Olson, Elder R. Hunt and Elder Stilgoe

Elder Richards, Going, Stomps, Christie, Williams and Thompson

Sisters in Zion: Hansen, Winward, Dunn, Butler and Campbell

Elders Richards, Christie, A. Hunt, Kenyah and Kusi Poku

Elders Paul, Going, Thompson, Togiatomai, Stomps and Van Heerdan

We love each and every Elder so much. Here is Elder Kusi Poku!

Leaving Sister Wilson at the Pretoria Chapel. She and President Wilson have a large task ahead...but they are up for it. We send our love and support to them and are available to help in anyway we can.

We are all moving on! We send our love and support to each and every missionary.