A Plea to Africa; Cease Your False Traditions!

The one thing that would really get under my skin when I was living in Africa was when the people would waste their precious money on tribal traditions (related mainly to marriage and funeral ceremonies) that were obviously not in harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then would be unable to give their hard earned money to the Church.   

Finally an apostle of the Lord, even Dallin H Oaks, has addressed this issue head on, appealing to the people of Africa to give up their false traditions such that they can worthily donate to the Lord’s Kingdom upon the earth.  Brothers and Sisters please open up your copy of this month’s Ensign and find the article entitled “The Gospel Culture”, or follow along at this link: http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/03/the-gospel-culture?lang=eng

Allow me to quote directly from the article:
“To help its members all over the world, the Church teaches us to give up any personal or family traditions or practices that are contrary to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ and to this gospel culture.…we appeal to our older members to put away traditions and cultural or tribal practices that lead them away from the path of growth and progress.  We ask all to climb to the higher ground of the gospel culture, to practices and traditions that are rooted in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.”

One of the main areas in which the people of Africa need to climb to the higher ground of the gospel is with the issue of marriage.  Africans just don’t do it the right way and Elder Oaks is forced to ask: “Marriage is essential, but in Africa we must ask, what kind of marriage?”

Finally someone who is willing to stand up to the African people and bluntly ask them what on earth they think they are doing!  Finally someone who has the courage to lovingly invite them to relinquish their long held traditions and do things the right way!  If ever you have doubted the divine calling of Dallin H. Oaks as an Apostle of the Lord now would be a good time to repent of, and forsake such feelings. 

With regards to the false cultural practices surrounding weddings and funerals Oaks goes on to lovingly counsel Africans to “Avoid expensive feasts and extensive travel.”

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of not having expensive feasts at these once in a lifetime events.  A simple African meal consisting of fried bananas wrapped in Plantain leaves with perhaps a little fish should be more than sufficient for the occasion.  Family members including parents who do not live close by need not waste precious resources to attend.

This counsel is especially important as it will help keep members out of debt. Debt, warns Oaks, “will weaken or prevent your ability to pay tithing, to attend the temple, and to send your children on missions. Make plans that will strengthen—not weaken—your future Church activity.”

The people of Africa clearly have a choice; either they can have memorable feasts on special occasions or they can be obedient to the counsel of an inspired Apostle of the Lord by giving their money to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  To me the choice is crystal clear. 

Africans need to keep in mind the following words of Elder Oaks “When the people of God withheld their tithes and offerings, God condemned the “whole nation” (Malachi 3:9).”  Church members ought to understand that to a certain extent they are personally responsible for the poverty, natural disasters, political unrest and other condemnations that the Lord pours out upon their nation if they are not full tithe payers, but there is much hope in the following words of the Lord's anointed: “I believe that when many citizens of a nation are faithful in the payment of tithes, they summon the blessings of heaven upon their entire nation.”  Surely truer words have never been spoken.

I would invite all to follow my personal example by sending a letter to Elder Oaks thanking him for lovingly counseling Africans in this way.  The time has come for them to stop using the sacred funds of the Church from America and to stand on their own two feet.  And to the critics that will surely accuse us of cultural genocide (claiming that we have no right to change the long held tribal traditions that exist in Africa), I testify that only in climbing to the higher ground of the gospel culture can the nations of the earth be blessed.  This solemn testimony I leave with you all, in the sacred and holy name of Jesus Christ, amen.