'Pula a e Ne' Let It Rain in Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

 Let it rain upon us today

With God's blessings pouring down on us

That we withstand trials, we pray

Fill us with Living Water from Jesus

Prosper our lands our homes our hearts

Help us to spiritually survive

Let us spread "pula" everywhere

That, in the spirit, we come alive

Lift us out of our daily struggles

Fill us with hope beyond measure

Here we offer our humble tithing

And the Heavens open and restore

The gospel grows forth here and the priesthood

We make covenants in God's holy temple

We are hastening the work in His vineyard

The love God showers, we share with all our people 

 

[Verse 1] Let it rain upon us today With God's blessings pouring down on us That we withstand trials, we pray Fill us with Living Water from Jesus Prosper our lands, our homes, our hearts Help us to spiritually survive Let us spread pula everywhere That, in the spirit, we come alive [Pre-Chorus] Lift us out of our daily struggles Fill us with hope beyond measure Here we offer our humble tithing And the Heavens open and restore [Chorus] The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Pour it down on us Pour it down on us The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Blessings here, pula Blessings here, pula [Verse 2] The gospel grows forth here and the priesthood We make covenants in God's holy temple We are hastening the work in His vineyard The love God showers, we share with all our people Hands to the plow, hearts in His name Every seed we sow will rise Through every burden, through every flame We keep our eyes on the prize [Pre-Chorus] Lift us out of our daily struggles Fill us with hope beyond measure Here we offer our humble tithing And the Heavens open and restore [Chorus] The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Pour it down on us Pour it down on us The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Blessings here, pula Blessings here, pula [Bridge] We come with faith We come with hands open wide We come with praise And we will not turn aside Living Water, fall Living Water, stay Teach our hearts to give Teach our feet Your way [Final Chorus] The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Pour it down on us Pour it down on us The Heavens open here The Heavens open here Blessings here, pula Blessings here, pula

Elder Gong and his wife visited these countries in Africa and he interviewed a young man who taught them about 'pula'. They have a bigger picture of what community means and are amazing at sharing the gospel. 

Like rain, when God showers us with blessings, it blesses us all. We loved learning lessons like this while ministering in the Africa South Area. It's incredible to witness the impact of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the lives of God's children throughout the world. The work of the Lord is truly hastening in this part of His vineyard. I invite you to join with me as we discover how God is inspiring and blessing His children in countries like Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where Sister Gong and I had the privilege to visit recently.

https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders/2026/06/05/elder-gerrit-gong-south-africa-ministry-rain-blessings-angola-mozambique-madagascar/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVYANCJd-Rs

And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.” - Jacob 5:71

Faith in Jesus Christ

The genesis of a human body
Begins with the union of just two cells
Twenty- three chromosomes from each unite
What this child will look like, this cell foretells.

Twenty- two days later, heart beats are heard.
In four more days blood's in circulation.
As cells multiply and divide away,
Into an amazing creation.

From electricity, the heart works hard.
Delicate valves open and close in pace.
Soon form the eyes to see and ears to hear,
As the nerves and muscles grow in their place.

The body is made with back-up systems
Tools for resistance are generated.
The bones can mend, skin can heal, and leaks can seal.
As fixed temperatures are regulated.

Unto every kingdom is given a law.
And every law has bounds and conditions.
This scientists can measure and define,
Laws apply to all of God's creations.

The phase of the moon, the stars in the sky-
Their courses are fixed to heaven and earth.
Such order bears witness of majesty.
In seven days, God formed law and all birth.

The scriptures declare of our beginning.
Each man's been organized in God's image.
The male and female, created He them,
For us laws were formed, to the very edge.

[Verse 1] The genesis of a human body Begins with the union of just two cells Twenty- three chromosomes from each unite What this child will look like, this cell foretells Twenty- two days later, heart beats are heard In four more days blood's in circulation As cells multiply and divide away, Into an amazing creation [Pre-Chorus] From electricity, the heart works hard Delicate valves open and close in pace Soon form the eyes to see and ears to hear, As the nerves and muscles grow in their place [Chorus] In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law Such order bears witness of majesty In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law For us laws were formed, to the very edge [Verse 2] The body is made with back-up systems Tools for resistance are generated The bones can mend, skin can heal, and leaks can seal As fixed temperatures are regulated Unto every kingdom is given a law And every law has bounds and conditions This scientists can measure and define, Laws apply to all of God's creations [Pre-Chorus] The phase of the moon, the stars in the sky- Their courses are fixed to heaven and earth Such order bears witness of majesty In seven days, God formed law and all birth [Chorus] In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law Such order bears witness of majesty In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law For us laws were formed, to the very edge [Bridge] The scriptures declare of our beginning Each man's been organized in God's image The male and female, created He them For us laws were formed, to the very edge [Final Chorus] In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law Such order bears witness of majesty In seven days, God formed law In seven days, God formed law For us laws were formed, to the very edge

Dynamic faith in our Lord Jesus Christ
Lends to our minds a new way of thinking.
Works form a conversion and change of heart,
Dawned from His Living wells we're drinking.

We're made alive in Christ, because of faith
And of Him we're spiritually begotten.
There's strength to press forward with steadfastness,
Feeling the love of God unto all men.

With the Book of Mormon and the Bible,
We've scriptures in each hand and we promise.
With full purpose of heart, we preach of Christ.
Showing through works and faith we are His.

I testify that Jesus is the Christ,
The Son of the Living Father
Our Savior, Lord and Advocate.
Exemplar and King, whom we honor.

Made Alive in Christ

Verse 1] Dynamic faith in our Lord Jesus Christ Lends to our minds a new way of thinking Works form a conversion and change of heart Dawned from His Living wells we're drinking We're made alive in Christ, because of faith And of Him we're spiritually begotten There's strength to press forward with steadfastness Feeling the love of God unto all men [Pre-Chorus] With the Book of Mormon and the Bible We've scriptures in each hand and we promise With full purpose of heart We lean in and believe [Chorus] We are His We are His Showing through works and faith We are His We are His Made alive in Christ [Verse 2] Each seeker can know that Jesus is the Christ The Son of the Living Father Our Savior, Lord and Advocate Before God...giving Him all the power and honor And when the road gets long Your mercy carries on We hold to what is sure We sing it strong [Pre-Chorus] With the Book of Mormon and the Bible We've scriptures in each hand and we promise With full purpose of heart We lean in and believe [Chorus] We are His We are His Showing through works and faith We are His We are His Made alive in Christ [Bridge] Each seeker can know Each heart can bow Jesus is the Christ Here and now The Son of the Living Father Our Savior, Lord and Advocate Before God...giving Him all the power And honor [Final Chorus] We are His We are His Showing through works and faith We are His We are His Made alive in Christ

-Russell M. Nelson, “Faith in Jesus Christ,”
Liahona, Mar 2008, 24–30

Jesus Christ the Master Healer

Why did the Savior suffer for me?
He must know and love me so deeply!
My debt to Him is incalculably great.
For He bore my pains and sins, even hate!
What power was His to carry this load?
He our promise of a heavenly abode

When I've sore trials that I must bear,
I'll deepen my faith and trust He is there.
I know He can heal wounds and broken hearts.
That peace and comfort, His Spirit imparts.
His gift to each can't be destroyed by death.
For I know He grants me His living breath.

The Master Healer in perfect frame,
Gives resurrection to those once lame.
Am I not also in need of healing?
Thanks to Him, tender mercy I am feeling.
Thanks to Him, I've hope and bright days ahead.
As He heals me, with His water and bread.

[Verse 1]

Why did the Savior suffer for me?
He must know and love me so deeply!
My debt to Him is incalculably great.
For He bore all the world's sins, at Hells' gate!
What power was His to carry the load?
To lift all flesh to a heav'nly abode?

Chorus]

How deep, the love of Jesus

the Master Healer of us all

He suffered deeply for us

He conquered sin and death- His call

[Verse 2]

I have sore trials that I must bear,
They deepen my faith.  I feel His kind care.
I know He heals wounds and mends broken hearts.
That peace and comfort, His Spirit imparts.
His gift to each cannot be destroyed by death.
He offers to all, His life giving breath.

Chorus]

How deep, the love of Jesus

the Master Healer of us all

He suffered deeply for us

He conquered sin and death- His call

[Verse 3]
The Master Healer in perfect frame,
Gives resurrection to those once lame.
Am I not also in need of this healing?
Thanks to Him, I am not past feeling.
Thanks to Him, there are brighter days ahead.
As He heals me I am spiritually fed.

Chorus]

How deep, the love of Jesus

the Master Healer of us all

He suffered deeply for us

He conquered sin and death- His call

-Elder Russell M. Nelson- Jesus suffered deeply,
because He loves us deeply!

85, Nov 2005, Russell M. Nelson, “Jesus Christ—
the Master Healer, ” Ensign

Grief

Another wave of mourning
The grief, new tears blur my eyes
I hang on to the memories
Then... add thoughts of you, bright, in Heaven's skies

The Remarkable Women of God

Neal A. Maxwell, “The Women of God,” Ensign, May 1978, 10

Divinely determined, in another place and time

Men were given the priesthood and leadership line

Paralleling, then, with an influence for good

The role of mothering was given to womanhood

Both foreordained before foundations of the world

Certain women were given tasks for history unfurled

Divine design brought Mary as the mother of Jesus;

And a woman to retrieve Moses hidden in the bullrush

Their's to demonstrate how a baby is a blessing

With love and promise in the purest form expressing

A mother, Lucy Mack influenced a whole dispensation

While Ruth's love for Naomi taught of loyalty's obligation

Verse 1] Divinely determined, in another place and time Men were given the priesthood and leadership line Paralleling, then, with an influence for good The role of mothering was given to womanhood Both foreordained before foundations of the world Certain women were given tasks for history unfurled [Pre-Chorus] Divine design brought Mary As the mother of Jesus And a woman to retrieve Moses Hidden in the bullrush Their's to demonstrate How a baby is a blessing With love and promise In the purest form expressing [Chorus] Foreordained before the world (before the world) A mother's call was given Foreordained before the world (to bless the living) Mary, Ruth, and every woman Held by heaven's hand (held by heaven's hand) Love and promise rising In the purest form we stand [Verse 2] A mother, Lucy Mack influenced a whole dispensation While Ruth's love for Naomi taught of loyalty's obligation Quiet faith can move a people through the hardest years And faithful hands can answer history with tears When you see a child, you see a gift from God A covenant of tenderness in the road we walk [Bridge] Not lesser, not later But chosen for the hour A hidden kind of power A patient, sacred power To gather, guard, and guide To lift the broken small (guide and lift and gather) And leave a light behind for all [Chorus] Foreordained before the world (before the world) A mother's call was given Foreordained before the world (to bless the living) Mary, Ruth, and every woman Held by heaven's hand (held by heaven's hand) Love and promise rising In the purest form we stand

God, with His perfect regard for women, insists that we give care
Unto the lonely widows who teach us of sacrifice and giving
One, with her last meal and oil, gave it all to Elijah, trusting there...
As, too, the widow's mite exemplifies the principle of  tithing

Imagine Elisabeth, with a babe within to carry
A promise to her fulfilled, though she was beyond in age
Then to know why as her fetus, leapt in recognition of Mary!
This, the greatest sign of anticipation recorded on any page!

Does it not tell us, too, of their intrinsic intelligence
When at the horrid crucifixion scene: the Lord at Calvary
Women suffered in sorrow, extending their love hence
And offered themselves in presence, their lingering... a litany

Keeping hope...filled with spiritual sensitivity
Too, they came to prepare the torn body of Christ
Mary Magdalena kept herself near, in proximity
And witnessed His resurrection, the risen hope of life

Is it no wonder God placed His trust in women
Known to forget their sorrows that comfort might be shown
Thus it is for women to bear and care for God's children
As... their compassionate service seems by instincts to be known

Verse 1] Rocking a child, gently She knows the world won't pass her by For she is holding tomorrow's future Tightly in her arms Throughout the world Comes the shaping sounds of lullabies And the soothing call for peacemaking That sweetly disarms [Pre-Chorus] As women of Zion They know their bodies are not their own So they guard what is sacred And they do not walk alone [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name [Verse 2] Thus, they refuse To make the sacred womb a dark fetal tomb Ever shaping society With hearts and hands at home Those without husbands or children Or even both Still know that God loves them They are noble and great [Pre-Chorus] That mortality Is but a season of trial, learning, and growth And in eternity Those special blessings await [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name [Bridge] Eternal partners, as equals Are supportive, sealed together In the temple, before the veil And the altar, the bond becomes clear Of our regal homecoming To our eternal Father and mother She, too, makes preparations Planning sights and sounds we'll hear [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name

Verse 1] God, with His perfect regard for women, insists that we give care Unto the lonely widows who teach us of sacrifice and giving One, with her last meal and oil, gave it all to Elijah, trusting there... As, too, the widow's mite exemplifies the principle of tithing [Chorus] Known to forget their sorrows That comfort might be shown It is for women to bear and care It is for women to bear and care () [Verse 2] Imagine Elisabeth, with a babe within to carry A promise to her fulfilled, though she was beyond in age Then to know why as her fetus, leapt in recognition of Mary! This, the greatest sign of anticipation recorded on any page! [Pre-Chorus] Does it not tell us, too, of their intrinsic intelligence When at the horrid crucifixion scene: the Lord at Calvary Women suffered in sorrow, extending their love hence And offered themselves in presence, their lingering... a litany [Chorus] Known to forget their sorrows That comfort might be shown It is for women to bear and care It is for women to bear and care () [Bridge] Keeping hope...filled with spiritual sensitivity Too, they came to prepare the torn body of Christ Mary Magdalena kept herself near, in proximity And witnessed His resurrection, the risen hope of life [Final Chorus] Is it no wonder God placed His trust in women Known to forget their sorrows that comfort might be shown Thus it is for women to bear and care for God's children Thus it is for women to bear and care for God's children

Rocking a child...gently, she knows the world's won't pass her by

For she is holding tomorrow's future tightly in her arms

Throughout the world, comes the shaping sounds of lullabies

And the soothing call for peacemaking that sweetly disarms

As women of Zion, they know their bodies are not their own

Thus, they refuse to make the sacred womb a dark fetal tomb

Ever shaping society by having hearts and hands at home

Thus the beauty of the earth is truly theirs to bloom

Those without husbands or children, or even both

Still know that God loves them,  they are noble and great

That mortality is but a season of trial, learning, and growth,

And that in the eternity those special blessings await

Eternal partners, as equals are supportive...sealed  together

In the temple...before the veil and the altar, the bond becomes clear

Of our regal homecoming, to our eternal Father.... and mother

She, too, makes preparations... planning sights and sounds we'll hear

[Verse 1] Rocking a child, gently She knows the world won't pass her by For she is holding tomorrow's future Tightly in her arms Throughout the world Comes the shaping sounds of lullabies And the soothing call for peacemaking That sweetly disarms [Pre-Chorus] As women of Zion They know their bodies are not "their own" So they guard what is sacred And they do not walk alone [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name [Verse 2] Thus, they refuse To make the sacred womb a dark fetal tomb Ever shaping society With hearts and hands at home Those without husbands or children Or even both Still know that God loves them They are noble and great [Pre-Chorus] That mortality Is but a season of trial, learning, and growth And in eternity Those special blessings await [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name [Bridge] Eternal partners, as equals Are supportive, sealed together In the temple, before the veil And the altar, the bond becomes clear Of our regal homecoming To our eternal Father and mother She, too, makes preparations Planning sights and sounds we'll hear [Chorus] Women of Zion, rise Women of Zion, shine God has not left you behind Women of Zion, shine Beauty of the earth Blooming where you stand Heaven sees your hands Heaven knows your name

Thoughts from:

Neal A. Maxwell
The Women of God
Ensign, May 1978, 10

I Speak to you as One Crying From the Dust

I speak to you as one
Crying from the dust
Respect what's from the Son
Lest ye be condemned, thus

The commandments

The laws of love

The parables

Are from above

Straight from the mouth

Of God's own Son

Have faith about

And hate no one

Learn from those

Who have come before

When pride rose

They forgot the Lord

How quick they forget

Who had blessed them

When they were righteous

They prospered then

------------------------------
I speak to you as one
Crying from the dust
Respect the words that come
Through the prophets, thus

Verse 1] I speak to you as one Crying from the dust Respect what's from the Son Lest ye be condemned, thus The commandments The laws of love The parables Are from above Straight from the mouth Of God's own Son Have faith about And hate no one [Pre-Chorus] Learn from those Who have come before When pride rose They forgot the Lord How quick they forget Who had blessed them When they were righteous They prospered then [Chorus] I speak to you as one (Crying from the dust) Respect the words Respect the words Come back to love Come back to love Hate no one now Hate no one now [Verse 2] Learn from those Who came before Keep the humble heart And bless the poor When pride rises high It blinds the day But mercy stays And lights the way The prophets spoke The Son still calls Stand in the truth And hear it all [Pre-Chorus] Learn from those Who have come before When pride rose They forgot the Lord How quick they forget Who had blessed them When they were righteous They prospered then [Chorus] I speak to you as one (Crying from the dust) Respect the words Respect the words Come back to love Come back to love Hate no one now Hate no one now [Bridge] Respect the words that come Through the prophets, thus Carry them with you When the road turns rough The commandments The laws of love The parables Are from above [Final Chorus] I speak to you as one (Crying from the dust) Respect the words Respect the words Come back to love Come back to love Hate no one now Hate no one now

Pondering someone who said the Old Testament was for the Jews and not Christians...
2 Nephi
13And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one crying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.

14And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the Jews, and also my words, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall condemn you at the last day.

The Fig Tree

The fig tree strove for perfection
Its leaves grew large and green
But after many seasons of inspection
Not a fruit was ever seen

As much as it might try
To impress and attract
It was as a lie
A counterfeit in fact

Jesus passed by its shade

And saw what could not be hid

It used not God's Light

To help others be fed

Jesus was probably thinking of the Pharisees and Sanhedrin and about the Jewish tradition of cleaning house of leaven bread. 

Verse 1] The fig tree strove for perfection Its leaves grew large and green But after many seasons of inspection Not a fruit was ever seen As much as it might try To impress and attract It was as a lie A counterfeit in fact [Pre-Chorus] Jesus stood at its shade And saw what could not be hid What grew for show alone Could not feed the kids [Chorus] Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Make me true and clean Fruit was never seen [Verse 2] It used not God's Light To help others be fed Just broad, empty branches And promise instead So search me deep, Lord Where my roots have gone cold Don’t let me look full And be empty in soul [Pre-Chorus] Jesus stood at its shade And saw what could not be hid What grows for show alone Could not feed the kids [Chorus] Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Make me true and clean Fruit was never seen [Bridge] Let mercy make me fruitful Let truth run through my veins If You plant Your life in me Let my seasons change Not for looks, not for praise Not to be seen by men But to carry Your goodness Again and again [Final Chorus] Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Make me true and clean Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Fruit was never seen Jesus, make me clean Fruit that others need

A fig tree with lush leaves but no fruit is a "counterfeit" that fails to nourish- referencing Jesus cursing the barren fig tree in Matthew 21.

Christian plea for inner authenticity, mercy, and bearing real spiritual fruit to benefit others rather than seeking outward appearances.