Book Review: Safe Journey: An African Adventure Posted on Feb 20, 2004
Reviewed by Cindy Bohn, LDSFiles.com Staff Writer
Safe Journey: An African Adventure, by Glenn L. Pace
In 1989, the Latter-Day Saint church had all activities frozen in the African nation of Ghana. Missionaries were questioned, sometimes jailed. Congregations were not allowed to meet. Members could only worship privately in their own homes. Baptisms were not permitted. Members faced great persecution. But after 18 months, the ruling was changed.
Elder Glenn L. Pace, called to preside over the Africa West Area, visited the country to provide instruction. One of his duties was to interview missionaries who had had their service interrupted by the freeze and find out if they were willing and worthy to resume their missions.
"Of the 77 missionaries serving at the time of the freeze, the mission president had interviewed 40 by the time I left, and only three decided not to return." Elder Pace wonders if the same situation were to occur in the United States, how different would the situation be?
This book is a moving, sometimes funny, sometimes heart-breaking account of Elder Pace's service among the African saints. It begins with his service during the terrible famine in Ethiopia in the 1980's and continues until his release from his assignment as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy assigned to the Africa West Area. It was not an easy mission. Living conditions were very different from what he and his wife were used to. Communications were often disrupted. The church, although full of dedicated and faithful members, was still in its infancy. Most ward and stake leaders had little experience in conducting the affairs of the church. Their understanding of the gospel was still growing.
The two biggest challenges Elder Pace faced were the difficulties of travel and the attempt to build a temple. Elder Pace, being a Seventy, was travelling much of the time. Airports were primitive, roads were often unsafe. Delays were so common that by the time of his release, he was able to smile at a fellow traveller who complained of a half hour delay. "You learn a lot in three years," he thought. Once he and his companions were surrounded by angry armed soldiers. The standoff lasted for hours before they were able to leave.
The struggle to build a temple in Ghana and later in Nigeria involved lots of red tape. Several times they were so close, only to have permission denied. Despite much prayer and fasting, the temple was no closer to being built than it had be the previous year. Elder Pace finally realized that only the faithfulness of the members would get the temple built. But although the members were inspired like never before, Elder Pace left Africa before seeing either temple groundbreaking.
I really enjoyed this fascinating story. It made me appreciate the great blessings I enjoy as a member of the church living in the United States. The first chapter is primarily quotations about the plan of the gospel. I admit that I skimmed through this pretty quickly because I was anxious to get to the meat of the tale, but it's easy enough to go back and read it later. Many of Elder Pace's talks are quoted, including his address in General Conference of April 2000. His meetings with the Quorum of the Twelve are described.
You get a strong sense that the African saints are as dear to the prophet and the saints nearer to his home, and there is no question that the African saints love him in return. One of my favorite stories is of a meeting when Elder Pace tells the saints that he met with the prophet (then President Ezra Taft Benson) and that the prophet wanted him to tell them hello. They were so touched and moved, that Elder Pace felt impressed to offer to shake the hands of everyone present and take their love back to the prophet. I was moved to ask myself if I am as dedicated to following the prophet as these humble Saints. I highly recommend this wonderful book.
In 1989, the Latter-Day Saint church had all activities frozen in the African nation of Ghana. Missionaries were questioned, sometimes jailed. Congregations were not allowed to meet. Members could only worship privately in their own homes. Baptisms were not permitted. Members faced great persecution. But after 18 months, the ruling was changed.