Dueling hymns, boys & trucks and basic spirituality

Being Sunday (March 21, 2021), we visited a new ward, this one in Teshie some thirty minutes to the east of our apartment.  The traffic was light.  Sunday mornings are always that way and a pleasure to drive so we generally take turns.  It is a beautiful day with some blue skies.  That doesn't happen every day as the skies are generally brownish in color; light brown of course.

The chapel is maybe only fifty yards off the main highway and easy to get to.  The road off the highway looks like an alley, however, and it is always a comfort to see the church sign which is standard here announcing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and visitors are welcome.

Here is the ward house.  Nungua 3rd ward.  A really nice place.

Getting out of the car we could hear a hymn being sung and as we approached the building we realized it was coming from off the property.  There was a large building across the alley and it was likely coming from there.  We washed our hands, checked our names at the door as usual and found a seat.  The seats are all positioned at least a foot away from each other.  The music could still be heard outside.  We noticed our opening hymn was "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet" and was anxious to sing as loud as we could, so we did.  Before that, however, we met the bishop, the clerk and a bishopric member.  The bishop was kind, confident and welcomed us with an arm bump (forearm against forearm).  Ross went to his office to catch him just before the meeting started.  He reminded Ross that we would be invited to share our testimonies which was fine.

It was a good meeting with a good feeling.  One of his counselor's little boy came up to the front to sit on his dad's lap.  He had a toy truck with him.  He ran it up and down his dad's arm pretty much like a kid would do anywhere in the world, if he likes toy trucks.  This one was the kind where the truck body is very small and the truck tires are very big.  It looked good.  We were sitting on the front row so Ross snuck a picture.

This chapel had matching, marble-looking, tile throughout.  

Right after sacrament meeting Ross talked with the counselor who conducted today.  He reminded us of Jesse a little bit and we told him so.  He thought it was funny and then wanted to exchange phone numbers.  His name is Mathias.  He is the only Mathias we know.

We had a great visit after the meetings with the Bishop, old clerk, new clerk, and one counselor, Mathias.

The sacrament meeting talks were all about the Relief Society birthday this month. Some of the talks were in English but not all. When the meeting ended all the RS sisters went upstairs to a room. I'm guessing it's the one used for RS. They brought in bottles of apple juice, and something that looked like empanadas. They brought a bag to us in the clerks office, with 2 bottles of juice, 2 empanadas, some mints and 2 small boxes of matches. We aren't sure why they put matches in. Maybe they need them to cook, or burn garbage or maybe if I had a candle? We aren't sure we would ever need them, but it was a very nice gesture. 

One parting comment.  We notice everywhere on our drives references to the Savior and the Old and New Testaments.  You seem them on cars and minivans (most all minivans serve as public transportation, and one is called a "Trotro"), and most businesses have names linked to scripture as well.  Signs and references are simply everywhere.  Really, everywhere.  People talk about religious things in conversation and it feels natural.  It is normal and okay to do.  At first the signs and references seemed amusing because the grammar is not always the best or an odd picture may accompany the scripture reference or saying.  Now, as it has become "normal" to us, we like it.  It feels good to see so many references to the Bible and especially the awareness people have of the Savior.  It is such a contrast to the States where public references to Deity are laughed at or held in derision, or simply deemed inappropriate.  We need more reminders of Deity and not less.  The States seem to have become so secular in attitude.  It has become the norm.  It isn't good.  It is a reflection of society's general faith in God.  The Book of Mormon is clear in its teachings that when faith in God decreases, miracles decrease.  The Spirit's influence decreases.  It is a simple thing to understand.  We see it as one of the plain and precious gospel truths that has been lost through apostacy and society's increasing value placed on commerce and obtaining wealth, and decreasing interest in God.

See what you can do to change that trend.  And, have a nice day!