Prince RamokgolaSubmitted by Prince Ramokgola

Preaching the Gospel can be challenging as well as exciting for full time missionaries in Africa, but Elder Prince Ramokgola recently related a more-than-average challenge he experienced during his mission last winter. Now returned and serving in Tembisa ward as a counselor in his Elders’ quorum presidency, Prince has found new understanding for the concept of “finding fatness in tribulation.”

Prince found himself in a small square building in with 9 other men, no blankets or mattresses, and a small container of Ethiopian food, on August 21, 2009. He had been arrested due to problems with his Ethiopian Visa. Previously serving in Ethiopia, now an Assistant to the President in Uganda, Prince quickly recalled two days earlier listening to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland telling the elders about the authority which they hold. Elder Holland said “I don’t care if you get arrested but just know that you are holding the authority of God which is greater than theirs.”  Trying to return to Uganda after the Zone Conference in Ethiopia, a problem with his Visa had aroused legal concerns with personnel at the airport, thus the arrest.

Prince was moved from location to location, the treatment always harsh. He received blankets, mattress and food from fellow missionaries and Mission President Edward Christensen. These items were shared with other prisoners, as Prince combated discomfort, cigarette smoke, stench, and rough language.  The first night he and five men shared one mattress, one blanket, total lack of a pillow.

Prince was in various jails for almost two weeks. While confined, he taught several of the prisoners the gospel and knelt and prayed with them. With the help of a compassionate lawyer in Ethiopia, officials were finally convinced to release him. As Prince left his prison, prison mates were sad to see him go. They sang and danced for him and one of the prisoners gave Prince a pen, his only possession. Prince felt some the men began to have hope.  Also during this time Prince shared the gospel and gave him a Proclamation on the Family. A few months later, the lawyer joined the Church.

Prince states that an important lesson he learned was the difference between enduring and enduring well.  Since he was there, he thought he should seek opportunities.  He remembered Elder D. Todd Christofferson quoting James 1:2, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations,” and saying we should always find happiness in all the tribulations we have.  This helped him a lot. In his journal he states:  “You can make every place in the world a home.  You can make every person you meet a brother or a sister.”