Local News
Africa Southeast Area Online Resources Now Available in English, French, and Portuguese
In Section 90 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord promises: “For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language” (verse 11). The fulfillment of this prophecy is not happening all at once, but gradually as the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has moved across continents and around the world. Early missionaries carried that message in their hearts and minds—and in limited printed materials such as the Book of Mormon, missionary tracts, and other publications. Those early works were translated into just a handful of languages, but today the words of the prophets are available in many different tongues and in a variety of mediums—such as audio and video—all delivered at the speed of light and at the touch of a finger.
In 2014, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles expressed, “We are blessed to live, learn, and serve in this most remarkable dispensation. An important aspect of the fulness that is available to us in this special season is a miraculous progression of innovations and inventions that have enabled and accelerated the work of salvation. All of these advancements are part of the Lord hastening His work in the latter days” (“Flood the Earth through Social Media,” Liahona, Aug. 2015, 49).
Here in the Africa Southeast Area, we are witnessing the gradual fulfillment of the Lord’s promises as new communication and media technologies roll out across the continent—and as the messages of the gospel of Jesus Christ become even more available in a person’s own tongue.
It is in this spirit of the Lord’s promise that the Africa Southeast Area Communications Council—under direction of the Area Presidency—has launched new online and social media channels in the French and Portuguese languages. These new websites and social media pages will provide members of the Church and our nonmember friends with access to the words of the prophets that previously have been available mostly in English.
Area Websites
The Africa Southeast Area websites are the Area Presidency’s official and primary digital communication channels—and are used alongside social media channels to inspire, strengthen, instruct, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are the main destination for members and our nonmember friends across the area to obtain local information about the Church. These sites also serve as portals to all Church online resources—both produced locally and at Church headquarters. Area websites are now available in English, French, and Portuguese.
You can access area websites at:
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English: africasoutheast.lds.org
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French: afriquedusudest.lds.org
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Portuguese: africasudeste.lds.org
Area Social Media Channels
Along with area websites, we operate area social media channels—as directed by the Area Presidency—to inspire, strengthen, instruct, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are official messaging channels of the Church in the Africa Southeast Area and are not meant to operate as social communities in themselves. Rather, they are intended to provide high-quality content that you can share into your own social media circles with family and friends. When you follow these social media channels—by clicking “Like”—you will automatically receive content into your own social media feed as it is regularly posted. Click “Share” to share these social media posts with those in your social media community.
Currently the official social media channels operate on the Facebook platform—including Facebook Free—and are now available in English, French, and Portuguese.
You can access area social media channels at:
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English: fb.com/ldsafricase
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French: fb.com/eglisedejesuschristafriquedusudest
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Portuguese: fb.com/igrejadejesuscristoafricasudeste
“He Will Yet Reveal . . .”
In 1966, Church President David O. McKay (1873–1970) prophesied scientific discoveries that would “stagger the imagination” and make possible the preaching of the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people (Conference Report, Oct. 1966).
Then years later, in 1981, President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) taught: “We are confident that as the work of the Lord expands, He will inspire men to develop the means whereby the membership of the Church, wherever they may be, can be counseled in an intimate and personal way by His chosen prophet. Communication is the sinew that binds the Church as one great family.” (“Faith: The Essence of True Religion,” Ensign, Nov. 1981).
These and other similar prophetic declarations were made well before the invention of the personal computer, the smartphone, and the internet. Decades later, we now benefit from these prophesied technologies, devices, and services—and who knows what the future holds? To partially quote the ninth Article of Faith, “we believe that [God] will yet reveal many great and important things.”
We encourage you to visit the area websites often and to follow the area social media channels. The essential information, uplifting content, and local instruction from our area leaders contained therein will greatly benefit you, your family, and your ward or branch.