The Love and Persistence of a Brother

Elder Moyowas born in Harare and baptized in April of 2012. In 2003 when he was 9 years old, Elder Moyo's dad died of injuries sustained in an attack. One year later his mother died because she contracted cancer. When he first heard about the LDS Church, Elder Moyo was staying with his grandfather in Bulawayo, where he was attending school. Unfortunately, all he heard about the Church was untrue rumors. He even heard that the Church buildings were used as mortuaries. After he had completed school, his grandfather said he needed to find something productive to do.

His brother had him come to Harare to stay with him but did not explain what they would be doing. When he arrived at his brother's home, he was asked to wear his brother's Church clothes and his brother would take him to Church. He did not know his brother was LDS. After sacrament meeting he was told he was going to the investigator class. He thought it meant 'police.' After Church he was still afraid of the rumors, but did have a first lesson from the missionaries that afternoon.

Thereafter, he returned to Bulawayo and avoided the missionaries by making excuses, so his 26 year old brother came a second time and asked him what was going on and why he ran away. His brother told him he had his agency and could choose for himself. He bore his testimony to Elder Moyo and told him about the prophet Joseph Smith. During that testimony, something special happened. Elder Moyo felt the Spirit and from that moment forward it was he who asked for the missionaries and wanted them to teach him.

His brother is helping finance his mission. Both are engravers by trade. They can put lettering onto granite stone. He received assistance from members in getting ready for his mission. Without this help he does not know how he would have been able to come. On October 22, 2014, Elder Moyo was able to be sealed to his parents in the Ghana Accra Temple while he was at the MTC there.

Elder Moyo received the great blessings of the gospel and the opportunity to be sealed to his deceased parents because of his brother’s love and persistence. Even when family members seem resistant to the gospel, our example and love can eventually lead them to receive the blessings of eternal life.

Excerpted by Collette Burgoyne