Local Leader Message
From Odd Jobs to Business Owners: How a Faithful Family Built Their Business Empire One Step at a Time
“Thatayaone Pule says his family’s long entrepreneurial journey began with a provident living workshop.”
We are so fortunate to live in a day and time when prophets walk the earth. Just like the inhabitants of the old world and those in the new world, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have the sacred privilege of hearing heaven’s voice. One particular statement that stood out to me in President Russell M. Nelson’s first address after being sustained as President of the Church is when he said, “My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. . . . Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly”1.
Under the direction of our Area Presidency, we have what is known as the Area plan. This is basically a plan that contains prophetic priorities or that which the prophets would like us to focus on in these latter days. I am always amazed to visit the homes of members and find a copy of the Area plan on fridges, in between their scriptures or in their sitting rooms. This is a sign that we are willing to know and act upon the prophetic priorities.
In our Area plan we have the following main focus areas:
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To increase faith in Jesus Christ,
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To gather Israel and minister to all, and
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To become self-reliant
Today I wish to speak of self-reliance. So many times, when we speak of self-reliance there is this feeling that it entails becoming rich or not ever lacking for anything. That may be partially true, but in the General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we learn that “self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family.”2
I have learned so much from so many of the faithful saints throughout our Area who have endeavoured to become self-reliant. I would like to share with you the story of Thatayaone Pule, who resides in Kanye, Botswana. I have known him ever since he was in Primary and have watched him grow up in the Church.
His parents were not members of the Church, so he went through the youth program being ministered to by others who treated him like their own son. At the age of 19 he served a mission. After his mission he returned home and got married immediately. Since he and his wife, Lesego, were so young and at that stage had not completed their tertiary education, the two of them did odd jobs together like clearing people’s yards and washing their laundry, in order to earn an income. They went on to buy and sell fruits and vegetables. With their savings, they opened a little internet café. He later got a job as a security camera installer. Because of his reliability, he was promoted to become a supervisor and four years later he was promoted to become site manager. This did not stop him from continuing his self-reliance endeavours. He then got into breeding dogs and this led him to his true passion—that of farming! He sold his dogs, and with the income he bought goats and later cattle.
Eventually, Thatayaone bought himself a huge piece of farmland where he is currently ploughing maize, watermelons, beans and sorghum. As their circumstances improved, Sister Pule went on to study for a diploma in business management.
This good family has learned to apply the things learned at church in their daily lives. Thatayaone has been serving as bishop for the past few years and has become a great blessing to his family, the members of the Church and many others in the community who have turned to him for guidance when it comes to self-reliance matters. In one of my conversations with Bishop Pule I asked him how all this started, and his answer was: “it all started after I attended a provident living workshop on mission.”
My dear brothers and sisters, just like Bishop and Sister Pule, you and I can apply the many teachings that we receive through the wonderful programs offered by the Church. As we apply what we learn, we are able to improve our individual and family circumstances. This in turn will enable us reach out and serve others. It is in reaching out that we become a blessing to our fellow travellers in this mortal journey.
As we look to the prophets and follow their counsel, we will see great blessings come into our lives. We must be careful not to be overcome by the many conflicting voices we hear in the world; voices that tell us to give up, that tell us that it’s too tough out there and that try to drown out the still small voice of the Spirit. I have met and interacted with many of you and my testimony has been strengthened as I have watched you pray for and act upon revelation regarding how to become self-reliant. I know that our Father in Heaven hears and answers the prayers of the faithful. He is willing to help and guide you just as He has guided the faithful Pule family in Kanye. Trust in His timing and work towards achieving your goal of becoming self-reliant; start small and keep working. As you do so, our Father in Heaven will “tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost.”3 I know that He desires to bless His children. I have seen His blessings in my own life and in the lives of countless people that I associate with. I pray that we will trust in His promises and follow the teachings of latter-day prophets and apostles.
Elder Clement M. Matswagothata was sustained as an Area Seventy in April 2018. He is married to Busisiwe Novelty Buthelezi; they are the parents of three children. Elder and Sister Matswagothata reside in Gaborone, Botswana.