July 2025
In the West African nation of Sierra Leone, a noticeable shift toward following Jesus Christ is taking place. This transformation can be attributed to couples—members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also members of other faiths—who are embracing the lessons taught in the Strengthening Marriage course, which is supported by the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services Department.
“A few years ago, the area presidency in Sierra Leone reached out to Family Services to discuss the marital conflicts leaders were witnessing, and they asked if there were any resources available that could help,” says Tamara Esi Dadson, Family Services manager in the Africa West Area.
Marriages were suffering due to imbalances in partnerships, and spouses would often speak and act contentiously toward each other. Children, in turn, were suffering as these problems spilled over into parenting.
“Africa is different from other places in the world. Traditions are much more emphasized here,” says Johnnie Christopher Walters, president of the Bo Sierra Leone East Stake.
Church leaders noticed that these problems, along with other cultural patterns, were having a negative impact on communities. Leaders also recognized that to effect change, they had to start at the foundation— marriage—and that the foundation needed to be rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Dadson suggested introducing the Strengthening Marriage course to the area, since it had had a significant impact in other countries. Weekly classes launched in several stakes, and participants began seeing a transformation in themselves and in their partners.
“Couples came to class thinking, ‘My wife or my husband is going to learn so much,’ and then they realized, ‘Oh, there are many things I can do better,’” says Dadson. “I heard a couple say that it wasn’t enough to just come to church to make their marriage happy. They needed to learn the principles alongside each other and practice them in the home. Now, they say they feel the Savior’s love.”
As word spread, more leaders asked for the course to be brought to their areas. Christiana Kpaka, an instructor at the Bo Sierra Leone Campus Institute, immediately recognized her stake’s need for the course and volunteered to be an instructor.
“The biggest lesson participants are learning is how to overcome anger,” says Kpaka. “Spouses are learning to remain calm during a disagreement and respond to their partner with love. They’re discovering a better way of relating to their spouse and parenting their children.”
With the incredible growth in membership in West Africa, leaders are also seeing how the course sets the tone for new converts. Walters says, “If we want to have a stronger congregation and stronger communities, we must help people understand how Heavenly Father wants us to treat each other.”
Through your support, the Welfare and Self-Reliance Services Department can continue expanding its reach worldwide and provide much-needed support to communities at the right time and in the Lord’s way. Thank you for helping bring others closer to Jesus Christ.
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