•For decades, Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been expanding in the country
From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints has continued to expand its frontiers, especially in winning souls to Christ since it was founded in 1830 in the United States of America.
•Worship session
The church’s central message is Jesus Christ is our Savior, Jesus Christ is the Son of God – our Savior and Redeemer, sent to save us all.
Like all adherents, the belief is that because of Jesus Christ, humanity can find joy in knowing they can live with God and loved ones for eternity. Through its network of branches all over Nigeria, the church has spread in leaps and bounds
•Officials of the church
The expansion of the church, which came to Jos, the Plateau State capital, in 1992, has been been phenomenal.
During an Open House for devotion, the doors of each church building are open to the public. The church aims to bring all men to Christ with its church-owned buildings in many towns in Nigeria.
Not only in evangelisation, the church also recognised that education is a paramount aspect of living and, had over the years, invested massively in the sector.
In a significant move to underscore the importance of education and community development, the Church in Jos, Plateau State, recently rolled out the red carpet to unveil its new temple with a strong focus on educational initiatives. The new infrastructure is located in Bukuru, Jos South local government area of the state.
The church’s president, Nigeria, Abuja Mission, Dennis Kabuetteh Ocansey, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the church’s commitment to education and skill development.
Ocansey disclosed the various classes and meetings held within the building, such as sacrament meetings, youth classes, primary and relief society gatherings.
He emphasized the importance of incorporating education into the church’s departments to promote self-reliance among its members.
He stated: “The purpose of incorporating education and skill development into our church departments is that our heavenly Father wants his children to be self-reliant. To achieve this, we must grow spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and socially.”
Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Jesus Christ, Ocansey underscored the importance of unity among religious bodies. “My advice to other religious bodies would be for us to be unified. The Lord said that if we are one, we are his. So, we must come together as one and spread the gospel throughout the world,” he stressed.
First counselor district presidency, Best Nonkat Steven, provided further insight into the church’s dedication to education, particularly through the Brigham Young University (BYU) Pathway Programme.
“Regarding the Brigham Young University (BYU) Pathway Programme, it serves as a platform designed to facilitate access to higher education for individuals aged 18 and above.
“The programme’s affordability is notable, as there are no application fees, and tuition costs are minimal. It consists of three 27-week semesters aimed at preparing participants for undergraduate degree programmes,” he said.
Best highlighted the flexibility and international recognition of the pathway programme, emphasizing the availability of grants and scholarships regardless of religious affiliation
He said: “Students can progress at their own pace and support is provided through mentors and instructors. The programme enjoys international recognition, and there are no additional costs typically associated with credential verification. Additionally, grants and scholarships are available to assist students, regardless of their religious affiliation.”
Furthermore, he underscored the church’s commitment to education as a divine commandment, stating, “Education is vital for individuals to become problem solvers and make meaningful contributions to society. Our dedication to education reflects our belief in the importance of personal and professional growth for all individuals.”
The Ujah Anaguta of Jos North, His Royal Majesty, Pozoh Johnson Jauro Magaji, who added royal touch to the ceremony, urged churches to always act, engage and practice skills, education and counselling among adherents for human development.
The traditional ruler also admonished other churches to emulate the practical aspect of Christianity inbuilt at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Speaking after a tour of the facilities, the monarch said: “Having been taken around the building, I must say that this is a practical church.
“Sections are given, offices were provided for skill acquisition for our people. They are also engaged in peaceful advocacy, peace-building, and peacemaking. This is what we’ve been talking about.
“Churches must come out, engage, and interact with the people to improve our state. We can’t leave our state in the hands of the government alone.”
Johnson said that what was more important was the educational departments, skills and counselling of the church, which he felt people should generally take advantage of to further enhanced their knowledge.
“As a traditional ruler, I am supposed to learn skills on how to talk to my people. So, education is the key. There is no how we develop in this country without education.
“And if a church like this decides to say, let’s embrace education and pursue it, to the letter, it is a welcome development and I give them good marks,” he stressed.
During the tour and open house ceremony, attendees were introduced to various educational departments and programmes within the church. These included the Institute of Religion, which offers free spiritual education through seminary and institute classes, and the BYU Pathway Programme, designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for personal and professional growth.
Additionally, the church’s commitment to education was evident in its provision of self-reliance classes, aimed at fostering skills development in areas such as entrepreneurship, finance management and emotional resilience. The tour also showcased the church’s dedication to youth education, with classes tailored to teach principles of the gospel and prepare them for future responsibilities.
