In giving an inspired interpretation of the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel set forth “what shall be in the latter days”. (Daniel 2:28) The culmination of that dream was “a stone cut out without hands” that “filled the whole earth”. (Daniel 2:34-35) Daniel explained that the stone represented a kingdom that “the God of heaven [shall] set up. . . which shall never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44) In our day, the latter day, God has confirmed that the keys of this latter-day kingdom of God have been “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.” (Doctrine and Covenants 65:2) That kingdom is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is rolling forth throughout the world. This is happening in fulfillment God’s revelation to Enoch:
And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea and the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth. . . . (Moses 7:62).
Nowhere is the work of God rolling forth faster than it is in Africa. We marvel as we see the large number of converts joining the Church. We rejoice as we see the faith they express. We are very pleased as we see the existing members of the Church reach out to these new converts and welcome them warmly into the Kingdom of God. We then rejoice even more as we see the new converts receive callings, the men receive the priesthood and, after a year, the converts go to the temple for endowment and sealing ordinances. This process not only helps the Church grow large, it helps the Church grow strong.
This is what is meant by real growth. People not only join the Church, they attend meetings faithfully, they keep the commandments, the brethren receive the priesthood, the adults are endowed, and families are sealed. Throughout that process, all members seek to follow the Saviour’s example of obedience and they grow closer and closer to God, and feel the joy that comes from living the life of latter-day saints.
Thank you for all that you do to help the kingdom of God roll forth here in West Africa. As an Area Presidency, we deeply appreciate all you do to build the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are honoured to labour at your side. The scriptures contain a special blessing for you:
And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be. (1 Nephi 13:37).