During his visit to Malawi, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ministered to two pioneering families in the country, offering words of comfort, hope, and love from the Savior. Accompanying him were his wife, Sister Renlund, and Elder Denelson Silva, a General Authority Seventy and First Counselor in the Africa South Area presidency.
Embracing the Challenges of Pioneering Faith
The first stop on Elder Renlund’s visit was to Sister Bandazi, now retired, who was a nurse by profession and also a grandmother of seven. Her daughter and grandchild sat in the visit with Elder Renlund. Sister Bandazi’s journey in the gospel began with her son’s introduction to the Church in Blantyre. After meeting missionaries one evening, he invited them to their home, sparking an interest in the gospel. Raised in a staunch Muslim household, Sister Bandazi initially felt skeptical about meeting with the missionaries but was happy to let her children receive the gospel. Three of her children were baptized in one day. Eventually, she agreed to meet with the missionaries and attended church regularly, though she had questions about baptism, as she had already been baptized.
She recalled with a smile on her face how the missionaries gave her The Book of Mormon, encouraging her to “pray about it, read and pray about it.” And she did.
Her conversion was gradual, but one day she felt truly touched by the Holy Ghost. “Over a period of time, I was baptized by my son in the year 2000,” she shared. She later moved to Lilongwe, where there was no Church presence. She and her son would conduct Sacrament meetings together. Not long after, a few other visiting members contacted her, and they started a group in her garage. This eventually moved to different schools as the group grew over time. Today, Lilongwe has its own stake.
Elder Renlund reflected on her experience, recognizing the immense faith and courage of women who help establish the gospel in new areas. He remarked, “To get the Church established and growing, it takes women of great faith and great courage. Sometimes, it takes really amazing children too. […] It really is out of small and simple things.”
Elder Silva also offered words of encouragement, emphasizing the importance of knowing that, even in times of isolation, we are never truly alone. He stated, “We have a Father in Heaven that we can pray to daily, morning and night. He cares about us, and He is anxious to see us back in His kingdom again. Despite our challenges, there is love from Heaven because He loves us.”
At the conclusion of the ministering visit, Elder Renlund shared a message of divine love, testifying of the Savior’s Atonement and the comfort it brings. “The Lord is aware of your circumstances, and as you go through challenges and difficulties, always know that He is in control,” he said.
Sister Bandazi expressed a sense of belonging and gratitude for Elder Renlund’s visit, saying, “I know the Lord has given you a message to bring to me and my household. I know God has kept me up to this hour for a special reason. I have the faith that what you are bringing me are the blessings from our Heavenly Father.”
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Witnessing the Growth of the Church
As Elder Renlund departed from the first home for the second, rain started pouring heavily as they drove through the streets of Lilongwe. Upon arrival at the second home, he was warmly welcomed by Sister Marjorie Tauzie and her son, Clifford and Elvis. Elder Renlund’s visit had been highly anticipated by the family, who had prepared to have an Apostle of the Lord in their home.
Elder Renlund acknowledged the growth of the Church in the country. He shared his appreciation for the sacrifices of the pioneers and expressed deep gratitude for their enduring faith. “I think the Lord prepares special people to be pioneers. It’s never smooth, it’s never easy, and it’s filled with ups and downs,” Elder Renlund noted.
Sister Tauzie has been a member of the Church since 2009, initially in Blantyre, before moving to Lilongwe. Her first association with the gospel began when she met the missionaries through her elder sister, who was also receiving lessons.
As one of the earliest members of the branch, Sister Tauzie has witnessed the rapid growth of the Church in Malawi firsthand. Reflecting on her conversion, she shared how clearly the truthfulness of the gospel shone upon her after the missionary lessons and the blessing of being baptized. She reflected on her early days as a member of the Church: “At the time, there were only about 10 members of the Church. […] Seeing the growth of the Church has strengthened my testimony.”
With her sons having served missions, and one currently serving as a missionary in Sierra Leone, she is very grateful for the blessings she has witnessed firsthand.
In his message to the Tauzie family, Elder Renlund offered words of gratitude for their faithfulness and also provided messages of comfort and hope. “The Lord knows you, He knows what is going on in your life, and sometimes we can feel a little distant, but it’s not His fault. His love is there, His love is constant, it is always there. If we are not feeling His love, the problem isn’t with His love. The issue somehow is that the receptors of His love are not feeling.”
Elder Renlund invited the family to read a scripture from the Book of Mormon, Alma 31:38, which speaks of the Lord providing for His children and strengthening them in their trials:
“And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and He also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.”
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A Personal and Spiritual Experience
Elder Renlund left both families with a heartfelt blessing, praying for them and invoking the Savior's love and comfort to continue guiding their hearts. The visits were not only an opportunity to share the gospel but also a deeply personal and spiritual experience for the families involved. One sister shared how much it meant to have Elder Renlund in their home. “I feel truly seen,” she said, “and I am blessed with a renewed sense of belonging.”
History of the Church in Malawi
In 1992, the first missionary couple, Elder James and Sister Diane Griggs, entered Malawi, and three years later the Church was legally recognized in the country. In 1999, the Sidma Village Branch was organized, with membership quickly growing to around 200. Soon after, a second branch was established in Blantyre, marking condnued growth of the Church in Malawi. Today, nearly 6,000 members of the Church reside in Malawi.