Our Swedru experience was lovely from a church perspective and from a cultural perspective. The people are very dedicated to the gospel and strive to follow the counsel of the prophet. I’m constantly amazed at the depth of testimonies and church knowledge.
I learned some facts about villages and tribal structure yesterday from two church employees who were here fixing our internet. David, whose church calling is on the stake high council, told me he had seen the picture of Dale and me in Swedru on What’s App. I showed him a few other pictures and let him explain them to me. The King is the fellow with the large gold medallion necklace, the fellow with the staff is the linguist, the others are elders. The elders speak in council with the king on behalf of the people. The linguist is the one who speaks the will of the king in public. The queen mother represents the women and families. The elders council with the king, but even with their consensus, nothing happens in a village/town without the approval of the queen mother to the king. When the group arrives at a function (like the one Saturday) the linguist leads the group, always walking to the right. In non-Covid times everyone would shake the King’s hand and usually take off their shoes as a sign of honor.
I found all of this so interesting. Both employees are from small villages in remote parts of Ghana, yet when they heard the gospel, they were willing to leave their traditions behind and embrace their new faith. They understand and reverence their heritage, but love and keep the covenants they've made with their Heavenly Father as members of the restored gospel.
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