2008 Woodie Awards
Mormon missionaries spread message during two-year mission
BRADY WEBB For The Red & Black
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Variety
The Mormon missionaries want to do more to serve the University community.
There are now 53,000 Mormon missionaries serving all around the world, according to the LDS Newsroom Statistics.
Two of those missionaries are stationed on the University of Georgia's campus. Elder Matagi, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Elder Edemenang of Bauchi, Nigeria dedicate two years of their lives to this missionary service. They are the missionaries that serve the students of Athens.
"Elder" is "a title we take upon ourselves that means teacher," says Edemenang. Under this title they are not allowed to take classes for college credit, swim, watch TV or even date for the whole two years. It is a full-time devotion to the Mormon church, also called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).
During this two-year mission they proselytize doctrine of The LDS Church. They both said they have an important message they are spreading to those who are interested in hearing.
"Our message is that the restoration of the gospel is here and there is a prophet today," says Matagi. "There is a prophet just like Moses from the Old Testament times."
"Our message is of a plan of salvation," Edemenang said.
The missionaries have no say in where they are assigned to serve. They put all their faith in the church's leaders to place every Mormon missionary in their rightful mission.
When asked, what brings you so far away from your home to Georgia, Edemenang simply said, "Because the Lord needed me here."
Although Matagi and Edemenang are mainly here to edify the University community spiritually they also enjoy serving their fellow man in anyway they can, from picking up trash to helping people move.
Dylan Sorenson, the mission leader for the local student Latter-Day Saint congregation, is a University alumnus. He said that the missionaries are always happy to discuss with anyone about the message they have to share and clarify any questions one might have.
The student Mormon population meets in an institute building on the corner of Lumpkin Street and Rutherford Street every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Visitors are welcome.
There are now 53,000 Mormon missionaries serving all around the world, according to the LDS Newsroom Statistics.
Two of those missionaries are stationed on the University of Georgia's campus. Elder Matagi, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Elder Edemenang of Bauchi, Nigeria dedicate two years of their lives to this missionary service. They are the missionaries that serve the students of Athens.
"Elder" is "a title we take upon ourselves that means teacher," says Edemenang. Under this title they are not allowed to take classes for college credit, swim, watch TV or even date for the whole two years. It is a full-time devotion to the Mormon church, also called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).
During this two-year mission they proselytize doctrine of The LDS Church. They both said they have an important message they are spreading to those who are interested in hearing.
"Our message is that the restoration of the gospel is here and there is a prophet today," says Matagi. "There is a prophet just like Moses from the Old Testament times."
"Our message is of a plan of salvation," Edemenang said.
The missionaries have no say in where they are assigned to serve. They put all their faith in the church's leaders to place every Mormon missionary in their rightful mission.
When asked, what brings you so far away from your home to Georgia, Edemenang simply said, "Because the Lord needed me here."
Although Matagi and Edemenang are mainly here to edify the University community spiritually they also enjoy serving their fellow man in anyway they can, from picking up trash to helping people move.
Dylan Sorenson, the mission leader for the local student Latter-Day Saint congregation, is a University alumnus. He said that the missionaries are always happy to discuss with anyone about the message they have to share and clarify any questions one might have.
The student Mormon population meets in an institute building on the corner of Lumpkin Street and Rutherford Street every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Visitors are welcome.
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