When it was announced on November 13, 2020 that in one week, November 20th, the prophet was going to deliver a message to the world of hope and healing, the people in the Africa West Area took notice and prepared to listen. Not only listen personally, but they have been sharing the message with their friends, posting the announcement on social media and talking about it in the community.
On Tuesday, November 17th, the Church arranged to share the announcement with television stations and were included in morning talk shows. Elder Hugo E. Martinez, a General Authority Seventy and the Africa West Area President for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with Area Seventy, Elder John Attah Koranteng and Elder Anthony M. Kaku represented the Church in Ghana at GHOne TV. The emphasis of these morning shows was three fold: 1) to introduce Russell M. Nelson as a global faith leader and a living prophet, 2) prepare people to hear a message of hope and healing, and 3) invite listeners to prepare to watch and listen to the message on 20 November on the respective television stations and on YouTube.
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These morning shows were not only broadcast in Ghana, but throughout the Africa West Area. Broadcasts originated in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and from Cote d’Ivoire for French speaking countries that include Togo, Benin, Mali and Senegal. In Nigeria, Elder Frederick O. Akinbo and Elder Jerat-Kennedy Chukwuemeka Igwe, both Area Seventy were on the morning show at NTA 2.
As people heard these invitations to listen to a prophet, they prepared to hear President Nelson’s message. Many people made comments on social media of their excitement for the opportunity to hear the prophet.
On November 20, 2020, the awaited time came and the message was delivered. During this time defined by the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, as well as racism, violence, political tension and a lack of civility - President Russell M. Nelson shared a fast-acting, long-lasting spiritual remedy. President Nelson, a man of science and a man of faith, referred to the healing power of gratitude. He stated he has “concluded counting your blessings is far better than counting your problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a fast-acting and long-lasting spiritual prescription.”
President Nelson prescribed two activities to help experience the healing power of gratitude. First, for the next seven days, turn social media into a personal gratitude journal. Post every day about what you are grateful for, who you are for and why you are grateful. Use the hashtag #GiveThanks. Second, let us unite in thanking God through daily prayer and express gratitude and then petition Him for things we need. He stated, “Prayer brings forth miracles.”
A prayer of gratitude was offered and he concluded his message.
Social media exploded with excitement. Thoughts of gratitude filled FaceBook, WhatsApp, Instagram and local web pages. Just as President Nelson stated, this has been a remedy for the ills of the world. Gratitude is a healing force being felt throughout the Africa West Area.
After listening to the message, Justice Akwasi Acquah of Accra, Ghana stated, “I have realized I have only been caught up in the challenges of life instead of singing songs of gratitude… “. Josh Quaben shared, “God truly loves us and He is speaking love and care to us through His Living Prophet”.
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Toha Brigitte from the Yamoussoukro Cote d'Ivoire Stake stated, "I recevied the message of the Prophet with a receptive spirit and great joy because in these times we needed words of hope. He asked all of us to make an effort to follow Jesus Christ. Since then I feel happiness and peace in my heart."
Aime' Rodrigue stated, "I am a Catholic Christian. I am Ivorian, married and father of two children and work as a nurse. I very actually appreciated the message of your prophet especially when he spoke of giving thanks to God during these trying times. I think being thankful to God is important for our salvation right now."
Here are some other feelings on social media:
Indeed, as the prophet speaks, lives are blessed, and so has been the case in the Africa West countries with this remedy of hope and healing.
