Accra — "As I have traveled in your beautiful country I have come to know that the future of Ghana is incalculably great. Care for the children and nurture them. They are the seed crop of the future. They are the future leaders of this great nation. The seed thus becomes more important than the fruit. Care for the seed, help your children to understand the doctrines and read to them from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and 3rd Nephi. Honour your children," said Elder Russell M. Nelson as he spoke at the dedication of a new chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Takoradi.

It was a beautiful, clear and hot Saturday morning as nearly 1000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints filled the chapel to be taught by one who is a special witness of the Lord, Jesus Christ. As Elder Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his wife Sister Dantzel W. Nelson arrived at the newly completed chapel, they were greeted by Stake President Kenneth K. Andam. The Nelsons were accompanied by Elder H. Ross Workman, 1st Councilor in the Africa West Area of the Church with his wife, Kaye, and President and Sister John C. Riding of the Ghana Accra Mission. They were also met by a uniformed troop of the Boy Scouts.

Prior to offering the dedicatory prayer, Elder Nelson taught the congregation three simple steps to prepare themselves for the temple that is currently under construction on Independence Avenue in Accra. "They are so simple, I'll call them the ABC's."

First is "A" for your ANCESTORS. Prepare your family history. Talk to your relatives and record the history of your linage. Always remember that you are each a child of a loving Heavenly Father.

Second is "B" for BE PREPARED through repentance and receive forgiveness so that you can be found worthy to enter the temple. BE GRATEFUL for the blessings that you have and don't wish for more. BE SMART and don't tamper with things that God has said are not good for us. BE CLEAN, BE HUMBLE and BE TEACHABLE.

Then "C" is for CHILDREN. Let them see and understand what it means to be a follower of Christ. Love your children and never whip them. Praise them publically, then privately correct them by teaching them the doctrines so that they can govern themselves.

Elder and Sister Nelson, visiting Ghana from Salt Lake City, Utah USA, are the parents of ten children and 54 grandchildren and understand the value of tenderly nurturing children. They have lived the principles that he taught. Remember that the children are "the seed crop for the future of Ghana." The seeds are more important for the future than the fruit of today. "Honour your children."