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The Infinite Power of the Atonement
The power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is amazing. I saw this great power manifest many times in the lives of the wonderful people of Samoa as I served amongst them. One particular experience stands out for me as a testimony of that great power and the ripple effect that often occurs.
As of September 2018, Levukar Poloai was totally into the things of the world. Although he had been a member his whole life, he had been inactive much of that time. He smoked, drank heavily and spent his time with the wrong crowd.
One day his good friend Asuelu invited him to come out with my companion and me as we searched for people to teach. The Lord must have been preparing him because that one day with us was all it took. The joy of serving the Lord filled his heart and he continued to go with us a few times a week.
He quit smoking and drinking straight away and changed his life to be in line with the gospel. After a couple of months of this new lifestyle, he received the Melchizedek Priesthood and became the ward mission leader of the Nofoalii 1st Ward, Samoa Faleasiu Stake.
In a matter of days this man changed his whole life; that is the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and it didn’t stop there. Levukar’s change of heart started a chain reaction of conversion amongst his friends.
In January 2019, Levukar invited his best friend, Ronald, to change his life as well. Ronald was from a strong Methodist family but had been caught up in the same crowd as Levukar. Ronald’s mother was hesitant about her son being baptised into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but when she saw how completely Levukar had changed his life, her heart softened, and she agreed.
From there, Ronald’s older brother Emosi, who had met with the missionaries before but was not allowed to be baptised, was given permission by his mother as she had seen how much the gospel had done for Ronald.
Both brothers received the Melchizedek Priesthood and together went to the temple where Ronald was baptised for his father.
As one of the missionaries who taught these wonderful men, I can’t help but feel that we had very little to do with their conversion. The Atonement of Jesus Christ has the power to change people in a way that no missionary, teacher or bishop can. I learned that my role was simply to introduce them to that power and help facilitate a spiritual experience.
I also saw how powerful member missionary work is. As friends and brothers, they set the example of faith and brought each other to the truth starting with Asuelu and a simple invite. I am just grateful to have been a small part of such a sacred process.