“Ignatius and Adelaide Baidoo,” Liahona, July 2020
Portraits of Faith
Ignatius and Adelaide Baidoo
Accra, Ghana
Ignatius and Adelaide have seen how the Church’s literacy program and emphasis on home-centered gospel learning have blessed the members of their stake and family.
Christina Smith, photographer
Ignatius:
I became involved in the gospel literacy program as a member of the stake presidency. I visited a class and realized that it’s not only for those who cannot read and write. It’s for all of us to better understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Adelaide:
I know a lot of sisters in our ward who the gospel literacy class has helped. One sister didn’t feel good about herself because she could not read, write, or help her children with homework. She took the class and is now able to read and help. She’s so happy. Whenever I see her, I always say, “This gospel is really true. It changes and blesses people’s lives.”
Ignatius:
Come, Follow Me and home-centered gospel learning will also help families read the scriptures together and learn from each other.
The keystone of our religion is the Book of Mormon. Here in Africa, we were all brought up knowing the Bible. Many, however, don’t know that the Book of Mormon contains plain and precious truths. As we use Come, Follow Me to study the Book of Mormon in the gospel literacy program and in our home-centered gospel learning, we learn and understand all the information we need to help us progress in this life.
Adelaide:
When home-centered gospel learning was announced in general conference, I thought about some of our ward members and I got a little bit worried. How are they going to do this? I thought. I prayed that members would adhere to this revelation. I know that if they will follow what the prophet has said, it will help them in their homes.
In our family, we try and do all that we can. Everybody gets involved. I am so happy with how my children help each other as we read the Book of Mormon together. They love the Book of Mormon. We’ve had a nice time reading and sharing our testimonies together.
Ignatius:
President Russell M. Nelson has said, “Exaltation is a family matter.”1 I love my wife and children. I want to be with them and our Heavenly Father forever, so we need to help each other.
Adelaide:
The sisters in Relief Society are also helping each other. When we meet together, we think, “This sister needs me” or, “I need her.” We sit by each other and help each other read, understand, and share what we are learning. We are doing our best to think, “If the Savior was here, what would He do?”
Ignatius:
There’s an aspect in the gospel literacy program that asks students to draw a picture of what they are going to do to improve gospel learning and scripture study. One picture someone drew depicted a family surrounding a table with their scriptures in front of them discussing the gospel. I was so touched by that. Gospel literacy is not just about reading and writing. Visuals can also help us learn. Even if we think we know everything, we can always learn more about the gospel and increase our testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
The scriptures say that he that is strong should take him that is weak so he might also become strong (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:106). If there are some who feel that they are weak in the gospel, we can minister to them, one by one, and help pick them up. Ministering is going to go a long way to help lift up the members.
Home-centered gospel learning has strengthened the testimonies of the Baidoos’ sons, Jayden and Hubert. They often lead family gospel discussions.
Singing hymns as a family helps bring the Spirit to home evenings.
Regular family prayer had made the Baidoos’ home a place of faith and love.
Ignatia has learned about the importance of prayer from her parents and brothers.
Helping with household chores, along with gospel learning, blesses the relationship between siblings in the Baidoo family.
Gospel learning and serving within the family has strengthened the love the Baidoos feel for one another and has blessed them in many other ways.
Prayer between husband and wife has helped Ignatius and Adelaide lead their children in the ways the prophet and apostles have taught.