For people who live in Mangu, Nigeria, the closest meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a nearly two-hour drive away. Many members don’t have vehicles in this remote area. Attending church was nearly impossible.
But in early 2023, things changed.
According to a news story on the Church’s Africa Newsroom, President Mathias N. Niambe of the Nigeria Lagos Mission was inspired to work with his full-time missionaries to establish Church units in some of the more remote areas of Nigeria, specifically in the Jos District, Plateau State. One of the areas he identified was Mangu.
It was an answer to the prayers of many members in Mangu, specifically Simon Panan Mwanchi, who desired to share the gospel with his family, friends and neighbors.
President Niambe traveled to Mangu to meet with him and other members. President Niambe promised that the Lord had not forgotten them and invited them to prepare the way for missionaries by sharing the gospel. He also met with local municipal and tribal leaders and was warmly received as he shared the Church’s desire to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in their town.
The first missionaries arrived in Mangu in January and were astounded by what they found — dozens of individuals who had been prepared to be taught. Over the next four months, the missionaries met with larger and larger groups of people, several of whom were baptized.
Elder Joseph Success Menjor of the Nigeria Lagos Mission said: “With the help and support of our mission president and his companion, the district president and his counselors, and Brother Simon, who worked vehemently with his family and friends, we have had 104 convert baptisms in Mangu.”
The first baptismal service was held on March 15 for 43 individuals. A group of 33 was later baptized on April 10. Most recently, 28 new members were baptized on April 30.
“This service was more than just baptismal services,” said President Joseph Samson Garba, second counselor in the Jos District presidency, of the first baptismal service. “It was a day for rekindling faith, a day to remember covenants, and a day to rejoice as family in the Lord’s kingdom. God truly sees and blesses all of His children.”
The members in Mangu are holding sacrament meeting in their town with support from priesthood leadership in Jos as they hope for a new branch to one day be established.
