In a striking manifestation of the Lord’s hastening work, 171 individuals entered the waters of baptism on Saturday, 13 September 2025. It was another historic event for the Moriba Town Sierra Leone District of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Missionaries and 171 new converts gather for photo prior to their baptism on 13 September, 2025.
Missionaries and 171 new converts gather for photo prior to their baptism on 13 September, 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The sacred occasion marks another milestone in a nation formally dedicated for the preaching of the gospel more than three decades ago. The fruits of that dedication are being realized in remarkable ways, as Church membership in Sierra Leone is experiencing rapid growth. Since the beginning of 2025, 4,119 people had been baptized prior to this weekend’s event. Just over two weeks previous to this event, 120 people were baptised in a single day in the same town. With the 171 that were baptised on this latest baptismal day added to the 120 from two weeks previous, membership is swelling congregations almost to the point of bursting at the seams.
The spirit of testimony was palpable as the new members expressed their witness that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth.
Branch President Ezekiel Jusu reflected on the day with profound joy. With a full heart, he recounted President Russell M. Nelson's declaration from his closing remarks in the October 2024 General Conference that "the Lord is hastening His work." He then testified that Heavenly Father is blessing His children, preparing them to know the gospel of Jesus Christ and to walk the covenant path toward salvation.
Young as well as old accepted the gospel and were baptised on 13 September, 2025.
Young as well as old accepted the gospel and were baptised on 13 September, 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Jacob Vandi Lahai, a BYU–Pathway service missionary serving in the area, also shared his witness of the gathering of Israel, noting that the gathering is moving forward in strength. He reminded those present of President Nelson’s counsel that "now is the time for men to prepare to meet God." (October 2005 Conference). He concluded, "I know that as we continue to build Zion and gather Israel, our Heavenly Father will strengthen us and bless our efforts.”
District President Samuel Mulai testified of the power of covenants. He assured those present that the blessings that come when we make and keep covenants with the Lord are real, and that sacred ordinances such as baptism not only prepare us to meet our Heavenly Father, but they also strengthen us as true disciples of Jesus Christ.
The day's events were testaments of the Lord's comments recorded in Section 4, verse 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants, where He tells us that “a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.” Certainly these baptisms are evidences of that marvelous work. And as explained in verse 4, “the field is white already to harvest.” That harvest is proceeding at an amazing pace in Sierra Leone.
This day of celebration will linger for some time in the memories of the new members, their families, missionaries, and leaders who supported them. It stands as a testament that this is the work of salvation and that the Lord is pouring out His blessings upon the people of Sierra Leone.
As President Mulai said, “Truly, this is the work of salvation, and the Lord is blessing His people.”