Although he was only thirteen years old, Ludovic Attiogbe remembers well his baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was among the first to be baptized in the Church in Togo. At that time he did not understand much about religion. Before joining the Church, Ludovic did not like going to church very much. Some churches were not interesting; others were too noisy. Whatever the reason, Ludovic felt out of place.
Ludovic’s father, Dieudonne Mawuena Kokou Attiogbe, joined the Church in England while working for the Embassy of Togo in London. When he returned to Togo he missed the Church a lot. With work, the Church began to grow. Ludovic recalls that in the early days things were difficult. The people in his neighborhood thought that his father had returned from England to establish a church in order to make money. That was a subject of mockery. Every Sunday Ludovic helped his father by carrying stools to install their place of worship. He felt it was very difficult and recalls, “I don’t know where I found the strength to bear it.” But he loved this Church “because I felt in my place.”
Ludovic was baptized on September 20th, 1997 in Le Benin Hotel's pool. At first it was ackward, the hotel guests did not tolerate our presence in the pool. With the help of the hotel supervisor, the attitude of the guests changed. The spirit was felt and the service ended successfully.
Ludovic had never played the piano but he had a natural gift for music. His father brought back a small toy piano for him from England and he was able to accompany the music on Sundays with his little piano. He would listen to the CD once and then he could play the hymn. Sometimes he would even conduct the hymns. Later, when the first missionary couple came, Elder and Sister Findley, Ludovic took music lessons. Finally, he began to read the notes.
Shortly after his baptism, his father told him that he was going to receive the priesthood. Although Ludovic did not know much about the priesthood, he felt something strong as his father spoke. Ludovic wondered if he would have to dress like the Catholic priests but his father said no.
One day Ludovic came across the first verse of the Section 13 of the Doctrine and Covenants and read: ''Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels…’’ He felt something that was unique. He realized that he was another very important person in the work of our Heavenly Father. He should try to serve just as John the Baptist, and the Prophet Joseph Smith had served to build up God’s kingdom on earth. He was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood as a teacher on November 8, 1998 by his father. When he received this priesthood he realized that he had something stronger than other kids his age. Even grownups he knew did not have this power, so he committed to always protect it.
Ludovic began reading the scriptures faithfully. He began with the Pearl of Great Price because: “I found some really amazing things in that book.” Ludovic is grateful that throughout his life he has seen the power of the priesthood manifested in his life. He declares, “The Church is absolutely true.”
When Ludovic grew up, he served a full-time mission. Teaching about the restoration of the Church he realized the importance of the first vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He testified of the truth of this to many people. Some believed and some did not. He testified of the power that can be accessed through coming to Christ and receiving the Holy Priesthood. During his mission, He felt the hand of God protecting him. He felt the presence of the Savior in his life. It was a wonderful and a very strong experience for him even though it was not without challenges. He was originally assigned to the mission in Zimbabwe but was unable to get his visa. After being reassigned to Cȏte d’Ivoire, he left for the MTC in August of 2009. His mother was traveling at the time he needed to leave for his mission. It was a tender mercy that she returned home just in time to say goodbye to her son. He did not know that it would be the last time he would see his mother. She passed away when Ludovic had been on his mission for only seven months. It was a very difficult time for him. Another challenge occurred after one year on his mission. The war in Cȏte d’Ivoire began, and Ludovic was sent to Benin to finish his mission. He returned from his mission in August of 2011. After returning from his mission, he married Benedicte Kakou.
Ludovic bears a strong testimony: “This Church is true and only God could grant such a mighty power which is the Priesthood. I know that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration. And thanks to his courage and especially his perseverance, the last dispensation is open and we have these blessings. I pray with all my heart that my brothers and sisters around the world can find the path that lead us back to our Heavenly Father. ”