Belizean Strength

Charles Pratt is a friend who has suffered a major physical setback. Neighbors around him have rallied to help, showing the genuine love Belizeans have for each other.  As shown in the video and picture below, we enjoy reading and discussing the Book of Mormon with him.

 

As sacrament meeting ended, some children heard Sister Magnusson playing a Primary song as the postlude, and came up to stand by the piano to watch, listen, and sing along.  

Missionary leaders from Belize City (left) and Belmopan (right) gather in Belize's church administration center for training. They're examples of the unity and love companions have for one another.

It's fascinating to see that given rich soil and nutrients, coconuts actually sprout to create a new tree (left). Stuart Barton, a British soldier stationed in Belize 40 years ago, remained in Belize and put down his own roots. He found the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, has been sealed to his wife in the temple, and has sprouted to become a strength in the Belize City Branch.

Returning from home teaching visits.

When President Nelson was set apart as Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints last month, we became aware that he dedicated the nation of Belize for the preaching of the gospel in 1992.  When we asked some of the original members of the Belize City Branch about it, we learned that Harold Smith (pictured below) was at the dedication, as Belize district president.

This is what the February 1993 Ensign article had so say about the occasion:

On 7 December 1992, thirty-six members and leaders of the Church gathered in a secluded, grassy garden on a farm a few miles outside of Belize City, Belize. There, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicated the nation of Belize for the preaching of the gospel….

…In his prayer, Elder Nelson dedicated the land “for the purpose of bringing a rich harvest of choice souls unto thee, our beloved Father.” He prayed that “missionary work may abound,” and that local leaders “may be able to inculcate faith among their members, to perfect their lives to the point where they may be able to receive the sacred endowment offered in thy holy temples. We pray that thou wilt help us to raise up a generation of obedient and faithful souls who will be worthy of all the blessings that thou hast in store for thy faithful sons and daughters.”

Elder Nelson also invoked a blessing upon the country, its people, and its leaders. He prayed that the Church members would “respect their government of law and order and be good citizens of the land.” He blessed the nation’s resources—“the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the flowers, the fruits, the vegetables, the natural resources, that they may abound and provide the needs of the people of this choice land, and even have enough to share with people of the other nations of the earth.”

He also prayed that Belize may become a “haven of peace, a sanctuary of faith.”

For our last thought in this post, we'll highlight a new video that Mormon.org produced.  This is what mormon.org said about the video:  

What do Mormons believe? You likely have a lot more in common than you thought. Buckle up because you’re about to hear a lot of Mormon beliefs coming at you rapid fire.  Learn more at Mormon.org  https://www.mormon.org/beliefs

You can also see the video by clicking here.