When Jesus Calls: Sandile Makasi

"The thing that impressed me the most," Sandile reveals, "was knowing that I am a son of God and He loves me, which thing I never supposed before. For the first time in my life, I began to have purpose and a place where I belonged."

The gospel of Jesus Christ tends to have that effect on people who devote themselves to it. It introduces those who accept it to the possibility of a better version of themselves they would otherwise never know. With his sense of freedom and national heritage, Sandile connects with the freedom the gospel offers when living its principles to the fullest by the Master Teacher Jesus Christ.

Freedom, however, is not the last word. Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth. Freedom is but the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon whose positive aspect is responsibleness. In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast.

The above quote Brother Makasi posted for the entire world to see and associate with his face and name on Facebook may have originated with Victor Frankl, an accomplished Neurologist and Psychiatrist, but shows the character of Sandile Makasi, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Sandile is a native son of the Republic of South Africa, a nation with rich history and great diversity. He was reared in Cape Town, one of the most lovely tourist cities in the world. One unifying factor of South African heritage is one of its former presidents, a cultural and political icon, Nelson Mandela.

Following the dissolution of the Apartheid political system of exclusionism, Mandela called for forgiveness and peace among the ethnicities in the republic. Out of respect for him due to his several decades of imprisonment for social and political change, the people moved forward as a nation giving way for the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to expand in that once divided land.

I met the missionaries September 2000, while they were teaching my friend's dad. They asked to set an appointment with me, which I accepted, and they started teaching me the gospel. The missionaries were kind and they genuinely cared about me. Before learning from them, I had never been a believer or an active member of any denomination, but the message of the Restoration and plan of salvation felt right, and I knew it was true.

I was baptized April 2001 when I was 17 years old. I was the only one who joined the Church in my family, though I had my mother's support. Joining the Church was very simple and easy for me, and there were no doctrines that I had trouble applying. I spent a lot of time with the missionaries, working with and helping them teach other people. I also referred my friends to the missionaries and started teaching them the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ as well. Teaching the gospel further strengthened my testimony of it's truth and I knew from then I wanted to serve a mission.

I did enjoy support from my mom, however, when I told her I wanted to serve a mission she said no. After finishing high school I went to college, which was not part of my short-term goals, but I still believed I could serve a mission. So, I continued preparing. I fasted and prayed for the Lord to softened my mom's heart. I continued praying the whole year until she agreed I could serve. I then submitted my mission papers (request to serve as a representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Ssints as a teaching missionary). I received an opportunity to serve a full-time mission between 2004-2006 in the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.

Years after I returned from missionary service, I was sealed (of married for time and eternity through the Gospel of Jesus Christ) to my lovely wife Nicole at the Johannesburg Temple in December 2011. Our marriage has brought so much joy and so many blessings to my wife, me, and our families. We have a daughter who has been a wonderful gift and addition to our family (as of the wirting of this testimony in 2012).

I joined the Black Latter-day Saints page because the articles (there) inspire me, and despite us living continents apart we form a great community of saints with one voice and Master

Why I like the Black Latter-day Saints Facebook Page

At first, I had reservations about the Black Latter-day Saints group. I know at times forming race groups has the potential to be divisive in any organization. All my fears were proven wrong.

I love being part of the Black Latter-day Saints group, it seeks to unite members throughout the world, inspire, share ideas, and lead them to Christ. I have loved reading inspirational stories. I also like the fact that there are updates on the growth of the Church throughout the world.

Sandile and his family are lights of hope in a world of darkness and he chooses to share his faith by lending his testimony through social media in addition to his service to his community and church. Sandile Makasi gives his testimony that:

I know the Church is true for it is the Kingdom of God in the latter days. I am so privileged to be part of this latter day work. Jesus lives, and He is our Saviour. As His followers we need each other.