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PAN-AFRICAN CONFERENCE |
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An historic event took place on the African Continent this past November. Gathered out of the nations of Nigeria, Kenya and the host nation of Liberia, were 18 of the Lord’s Melchesedic Elders. Both Nigeria and Kenya sent two representatives each, with the host nation being represented by 11 elders. Elders Doug Patterson and Jim McKay, who were already in Liberia doing missionary work, were also present. The gathering was presided over by Seventy Neil Simmons. (Brother Randy Vick was present in our evening teaching sessions, but due to work obligations was unable to meet in the actual conference proceedings). This gathering brought together men of various backgrounds and cultural diversity. With the exception of brothers Patterson and McKay, all participants spoke at least 2 and in some instances 3 or more languages. For the most part, these were men that the world would consider uneducated, much like the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. Yet like the prophet, these are men that are not uneducated as to the things of God. The desire for convening this historic gathering was to address issues that concern the church as it presses the gospel forward on the African Continent. Those concerns center on the topics of polygamy, fornication and factional priesthood. The factional priesthood issue has become a pressing concern as the church evangelizes and comes in contact with members of the Community of Christ and in a more resent development, the Church of Christ Temple Lot. This gathering of men was historic for two reasons, the most obvious being, the first gathering of its kind on the continent, and secondly, the manner in which these men conducted themselves. Each elder was permitted to speak in turn as each topic was addressed, and for the most part, not permitted to speak again until all that desired to speak were first allowed (these are men of passion as are found wherever the gospel is held as a sacred trust). Brother Odida was the conference secretary, thus limiting his verbal input to committee meetings that he sat on. The spirit that reigned in our meetings was truly a marvel to behold. These are issues of great import, issues that touch the lives of the church very clearly in the African culture, yet the spirit of brotherly love and unity of purpose dominated this weeklong gathering. Other than the placement of some wording in these historic documents, there was not a dissenting vote cast. As the one presiding, brother Simmons offered no directional input; he kept the process on track and insured that all of the brethren were permitted every opportunity to clearly state their particular position. Brother’s Patterson and McKay spoke as they wished, according to their turns and only brother Patterson sat in on one of the committee meeting to observe, with brother McKay offering the language for the closing line in the polygamy document. In the final analysis, these are African documents, written by our African brothers. They have taken a hard look at the issues that both present themselves to and hinder the progress of the work in their part of the world. We can rejoice with them as they demonstrate the courage necessary to establish a virtuous and righteous response to maintaining a pure church. We applaud our brothers in Christ and can only pray that pride does not keep the church in America from standing with them on such firm ground.
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