Duty to God award first in country
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After being a member of the Church for only two years, 17-year-old Fekadu Yonas became the first young man in Ethiopia to earn his Duty to God Priesthood award, receiving it in sacrament meeting Aug. 23.
For Fekadu, of the Debre Zeit Branch in the Uganda Kampala Mission, earning the award took a lot of time and hard work — but, for him, it was worth it.
"I took two years to finish the Duty to God," Fekadu said. "I saw so many changes in my life. It helped me in my conversion in the gospel of Jesus Christ and it also helped me to know the scriptures more. It helped me in my physical development and it has increased my testimony."
Fekadu joined the Church in February 2007 with his father, Yonas Haile, and sister Tigist Yonas. Two months later his mother, Yergalem, was baptized. He has a younger brother Kaleb, who will be baptized when he turns 8. Since then, he has continued to be involved in Church activities and developing his testimony.
"I've seen many changes in my life like studying the scriptures, attending Church and also helping the full-time missionaries," Fekadu said.
Fekadu's favorite part of earning his Duty to God award was reading the Book of Mormon, "For the Strength of Youth" pamphlet and "True to the Faith." He felt reading the Church materials helped him to learn more of the doctrines of the gospel.
Not only did working toward the award give Fekadu opportunities to grow spiritually, it also gave him a chance to challenge his physical strength and abilities.
The most difficult part in earning the award for Fekadu was physical development. The required tasks of swimming for a long period of time and hiking 25 kilometers (about 15 miles) were very difficult to accomplish, especially in the geographic area in which he lives. But despite the challenges, Fekadu worked diligently and successfully finished the assignment.
Much of his success, Fekadu said, is attributed to good leaders and family support.
"I am grateful for my family," he said. "They helped me in my Duty to God [award] and … they are helping me in all things. …They are helping me to prepare for a mission."
When asked what hobbies he enjoys in his spare time, Fekadu said he loves to go out with the full-time missionaries.
"I like sharing the gospel for others," Fekadu said.
Fekadu's award has affected more than just his immediate family. His recent award has interested many of the members in his branch.
"Observing him receive his award in sacrament meeting has stimulated interest in not only the Duty to God program, but also the Personal Progress program as well," said Sister Karen Wilkes, a missionary serving with her husband in the Uganda Kampala Mission. "His accomplishment has triggered an intense interest in the program by all the young men in this branch. … We expect to see many more awards in both programs."
The Duty to God award is only the first of many goals Fekadu has set for himself. With two years left of high school, Fekadu plans to go on to study engineering at a university. But before attending a university, he plans to serve a full-time mission.
