Nigerian Youth: Celebrating Church Anniversaries

Some 60 Young Men and Young Women of the Jos Nigeria District gathered June 11 at the Jos District Center to celebrate the 200th birthday of Joseph Smith and the 175th anniversary of the Church. The event included vignettes from significant events in Church history. The Jos 1st Branch re-created scenes of the First Vision, the Prophet receiving the plates from Moroni, the restoration of the priesthood, and the Prophet calling Emma to organize the Relief Society. The Dogon-Dutse Branch depicted scenes of "Pioneers in Africa," focusing on pioneer member Anthony Obinna, the first Nigerian to be baptized into the Church in his homeland. Direct descendants Innocent and Dakla Obinna took part in the scenes. The Bukuru and Bauchi branches presented scenes from Church history in Jos. District President Cyril Iheagwara concluded the event by speaking about the Aba Nigeria Temple, which is scheduled to be dedicated August 7.