Church Leaders Featured on Sunday Best Program on KTN Network in Kenya

On July 7, 2024, four leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints participated in a one hour televised discussion on Kenya’s KTN Television.  Elder Ian S. Ardern, President of the Africa Central Area, Elder Johnny Baddoo, Area Seventy responsible for Kenya and Ethiopia, Sister Vulfrida C. Simiyu, Area Organization Advisor in the Africa Central Area, and President Prince Omondi of the Nairobi West Stake, joined Anthony Ndiema, host of the Sunday Best program on KTN, to discuss how to nurture the rising generation in the Church.

Elder Ardern noted that the panel were not all Kenyans, but, all have Kenyan hearts.  He is from New Zealand, Elder Baddoo is Ghanaian, and Sister Simiyu and President Omondi are from Kenya.  Anthony’s first question was, “are Latter-day Saints Christian?” Elder Ardern answered with an emphatic, “yes!  Without any question, members of the Church are Christian. We are followers of Jesus Christ.  We believe he came to this earth, that he died for us, that he is resurrected, and that as we follow His commandments we can return to live with Him once more.  Yes, in every way, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christian.”

Elder Ardern described the organization of and the role of General Authorities in the Church.  Anthony asked him what has been his experience in the 13 years he has served as a General Authority.  “That God does not forget his people.  That we are children of a loving Heavenly Father and he wants the best for us.  That when opposition comes it is an opportunity to grow nearer to God.  It has been heartwarming to see how many Kenyans don’t turn from but turn to God in moments of difficulty.  That is not always the case across the world, but, in Kenya it is.  I love my Kenyan brothers and sisters for their love of God, and of being so thoughtful of Him and all He did for us, particularly His great atonement,” replied Elder Ardern

Sister Simiyu introduced herself and her role by describing her work with the women and girls of the Church in Central Africa.  That led to host Anthony asking Elder Baddoo about the importance of the rising generation in the Church.  Elder Baddoo explained that the future of the Church is in the hands of the youth who will grow and become the Elder Ardern’s, the Sister Vulfrida’s, and the President Omondi’s .  They will grow and become the leaders of the church.  The Church pays attention to the young people of the Church because their role is important as they act in the Church and prepare to become the leaders of the Church. 

President Omondi, in response to a question regarding how the church nurtures the faith and commitment of the young people in the Church, said, “when you look at young people  many say that they are terrible people.  I can say that they are terrific people.  They can be trusted.  They are intelligent.  They can learn things, think, and give ideas.  They lead committees.  Those young people plan and say, ‘these are the things that could work for us.’  We have seminary (religious instruction) for young people 14 to 18 years of age.  At age 18 they can go on a mission.  They go all over the world.  When they come back, they go to study and they get an education.  We have the programs to nurture the children temporally and spiritually.” 

Elder Ardern read from the Book of Mormon after pointing out that it is a companion book of scripture to the Bible.  “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ…that our children may know to what source they may look.”  (2 Nephi 25:26) And he added “It is Christ.  That is why we invest so much in teaching of Jesus Christ.”  Elder Ardern then described the full time missionary program in the church.  “And, what do they (the missionaries) do?  They teach of Christ, they preach of Christ, they rejoice in Christ.”

Sister Simiyu was asked to share how the Church addresses the challenges young women face.  She answered, “first, we teach them the principles of the Gospel, and then we allow them to govern themselves.  They lead themselves.  We teach them about the Savior.  We mentor them according to the Savior.  We go to all of our young people including those who are challenged.  We form a big circle of people who are talking about the Savior…we talk about Christ in everything.  What about a young person who has gone astray?  We still guide them and love them.  We are kind to them.  We see them turning.  We have many success stories.”

The discussion then turned to education.  Elder Ardern stated that to the Church, “the Glory of God is intelligence,” and, he affirmed that “education is a religious responsibility.”  Anthony asked his guests to comment on both religious and secular education.  President Omondi talked about the attributes of Jesus Christ and how learning about them and applying them makes people better in all areas of their lives. Sister Simiyu reinforced this saying that when young women consider “what would Christ do?” their behavior changes.  Elder Baddoo spoke of the investment by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in secular education and how the excellence of church owned Brigham Young University is being extended to students all over the world through BYU Pathway Worldwide.  Currently, 600 Kenyans are enrolled in BYU Pathway.  Those who complete a Pathway curriculum receive a Bachelors Degree from a great University system.  Elder Ardern emphasized that education begins in the home.  “Education” he said, “is not confined to the walls of a school, it extends to the walls of the home.”  Tying into the main theme of the Sunday morning talk show, How to Nurture the Rising Generation, the Church’s focus on and investment in both religious and secular education is a great difference maker in the lives of the rising generation.

The insightful one hour talk show can be seen on youtube, at his link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMQLRYy6TeI&list=PLzhif3j5eNtrdM0yQ-BYmb4p_m8C-Ov9Z&index=1