Walking with past prophets; preparing future leaders

Traveling to Preston and Chorley in Lancashire on Thursday, May 22, to experience the past.

Another sunny day in the north of England... good thing it warmed up to 55 degrees that day!

 The obelisk in Preston's Market and its steps have seen modern day prophets proclaim the gospel from its steps!

 This building off Market Square in Preston dates to Shakespeare's time and its only recent update is two pretty ladies decorating it's exterior!

 Racing to the River Ribble... just like the original converts in 1837.

 A plaque erected celebrating the first Latter-day Saints in Great Britain.

 Our wonderful guides for the history tour... Martin and Judith Cook.

 Sister Jones and Judith Cook on the path to the original baptismal site of the first baptisms in  England on the River Ribble in Preston.

Heber C. Kimball baptized George Watt after he won the race across this bridge to be the first convert baptism in England in 1837. The site is just on the far side of the river past this bridge where nearly 7000 people witnessed the first baptisms. Malcolm Adcock, Assistant Director of Public Affairs for Europe, and Dan reflect on the banks of the River Ribble.

Do you remember the letter President Hinckley received from his father that told him "to forget yourself and go to work?" Here's where he received the letter in Preston while on his mission in 1933. President Hinckley said it changed the course of his life.

 Sister Joyce in Downham.

The Asheton family has owned this estate since the mid-1500s. Lord Clitheroe's family members have been in the House of Commons, House of Lords, Privy Council, and financiers for the Queen. Nearby Pendle Hill is notable as the place George Fox (founder of the Quaker movement) received his vision about a great people being gathered in various places.

 The village of Downham.

 Is Elder Jones happy to be in Downham?

 Downham is lovely... tenants still pay rents to the Lord and Lady with a waiting list to live there.

  See any satellite dishes, telephone wires, modern conveniences? Lord Clitheroe has kept the village and his estate of 3000 acres as it was 150 years ago.

 Brother and Sister Cook explaining the significance of Downham.

 Evidently a most prestigious award... 

 The place of honor... England's Best Loo!

 Walking where prophets walked... and in the rain. 

 Sister Jones in the church cemetery in Downham.

 We believe it was Queen Elizabeth who stated that this was the most beautiful view from a church porch in all of England.

Please meet the most gracious  Lord and Lady Clitheroe at their present home in Downham. Charming, urbane, friendly, witty are terms that can describe these two wonderful individuals! A five minute visit turned into thirty-five minutes as well as a most generous invitation to visit them after they return from a short holiday next week. Lord and Lady Clitheroe have a great deal of respect for the church and its interest in Downham.

Leaving Downham after an expertly guided tour by the Cooks... with the exception of a paved road. It is just like it was in 1838 when Heber C. Kimball baptized nearly 100 people in just one short visit.

 Celebrating Sister Joan Peck's birthday at Truffles in Chorley with  the Reeses, Cooks, Joneses, Malcolm Adcock and Hollie McKee

 Enjoying the spirit of the Preston temple on the grounds just outside the temple.

Manchester with the YSA on Saturday, the 24th of May

 These YSA came from Leeds, Huddersfield, Chester and Manchester to understand how to be effective spokespersons for the church online and in person.

 Malcolm, Hollie, Sister and Elder Jones offer tips on Messaging, Bridging and Responding in appropriate ways.

 A photo of a true English gentleman... Malcolm is always respectful, appropriate and gracious!

Training Young Single Adults to be online social media responders. They are committing themselves to help monitor misconceptions about the church in the UK on social media. Most are returned missionaries... all are amazing!

So busy, so many great people!

We continue to have long days from 8:00 a.m. in the morning to 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. each night, then off to visit home teaching families, mutual or errands needed for the next day. We cannot tell whether we are adding more projects each day or lacking in competence as our "To Do" list is ever expanding.

The week of the 12th of May brought preparation for the Multi-Stake Directors training in Solihull where these wonderful, faithful leaders were trained to become spokespersons for the church in their areas. Role-playing an interview with a video crew, each of these six directors answered questions about the church as we gave tips on how to stay on the three key messages of the church: We are followers of the Lord, Jesus Christ, We support strong families and We are our brother's keepers as we bring value to communities.

It's amazing to have a front-row seat on all the initiatives of the church and the commitment of its members. These marvelous individuals drove up to three hours to participate in a 7 hour training on a Saturday... perhaps the most beautiful day of the year here in England! All have been leaders in the church in Britain as Stake Presidents, Bishops, Stake Relief Society Presidents, etc.

One interesting side-note is of Craig Marshall, the Northeast Director, who is the home teacher for a family I taught and baptized in Teesside. He was going to visit Sister Brownbridge on Thursday, so I called my companion of  44 years ago, now Dr. Richard Jolley, to add his message to mine for Craig to give to the Brownbridge family. After catching up, he mirrored my feelings when he said, "Tell them that there hasn't been a week in the last 40 + years where I haven't thought about and prayed for them." Isn't it incredible that each one of us who have served a mission feel a bond with the country and the people with whom we had the blessing of serving so many years ago.

Sunday brought a tender sacrament meeting where the Stake President spoke to the hearts of three investigators we have grown to love. President Daniel Griffiths, a former missionary under Terry and Melody Clegg, was inspired as these sweet sisters could not help feeling the Holy Ghost bearing witness to the restored truths.

Because it was a beautiful day, we travelled to the Gadfield Elm Chapel and the Benbow farm where Wilford Woodruff converted nearly all of the United Brethren congregation in 1840. Gadfield Elm was the first chapel in the church and through a miraculous story has been restored and given to the church. President Hinckley dedicated it in 2004 and the church also maintains the Benbow Pond where many of the United Brethren were baptized.

Gadfield Elm is in a beautiful and remote setting where the United Brethren gave this little chapel to the church once they heard the gospel preached by the Quorum of the Twelve in England. Brigham Young preached here as did Heber C. Kimball and Wilford Woodruff. In 1841 there were more than 1000 converts in Herefordshire and the Twelve held a conference in this chapel that can seat only about 100.

Purchased as a derelict building in an auction, the Lord preserved this landmark through a series of miracles! 

 Dan at the plaque and bench at Benbow Farm where John Benbow and nearly 600 United Brethren were baptized in 1840.

 Joyce crossing the fence at Benbow Pond.

We were given birthday cake by a sister from Wales (Kate, Gavin and little Isaac) whose family was celebrating her birthday. What a delightful day!

More extremely long days, but a few interesting events occurred this week as we participated in transfers... 100 energized, enthusiastic missionaries hugging, back-slapping and cheering for one another at the same location.

Reserved for great missionaries!

How many of these bags can get in this Vauxhall Meriva?

Remember two missionaries are needed in the backseat also!

We are off to Preston, Chorley, Downham and Manchester in the next three days!

11 May 2014

We just finished a Public Affairs Seminar here in Frankfurt, Germany where National Directors of Public Affairs for 20 countries were represented. What remarkable people with amazing conversion stories that could keep the Ensign/Liahona/Friend filled with inspirational articles for months!
So much to mention... especially the Sacrament Meeting held in a hall not far from the Area Presidency's office and the stake centre. With prayers given in their native tongues along with just 4 short testimonies. One could feel the spirit all around you as if angels were attending this small forty person gathering. Hymns were sung by the congregation and the Sacrament passed by the senior missionaries from Germany almost as if  inviting each individual to personally renew her / his covenants with the Savior.
The first testimony is of a former Hungarian basketball player who testified that the Holy Ghost told her to go home while living and working in London. She arrives in Hungary and is immediately contacted by friends who want her to meet some missionaries. Four years later, she is testifying of the gospel as the National Director of Public Affairs for her native land.
The next testimony was borne in 'English for the first time' as this petite young woman from Cape Verde bore witness of the restoration and its blessings to her and her family.

Sister Victoria Domo from Cape Verde

The third testimony was from Brother Magnuski of Poland who eloquently gave "thanks" for freedom. Freedom to worship the Savior in a country where not long ago the government didn't want to hear or recognize the existence of a Divine Creator is something we have always taken for granted in the United States. He told of his patriarchal blessing promising that one day he would serve in a temple in his native land if he lived worthily. Imagine the thrill when he heard those words coming from a patriarch of God!

 (NDPAs from Poland, Romania and Hungary)

The last testimony was from Sister Cook of the United Kingdom where she spoke about hearing the cries of a lamb outside her home one night. She and here son rescued a lamb separated by a hedge-row from its mother and she related it to how the Savior saves each of us from our separation from the Father.
This will forever be a sacred memory as we later shook hands, hugged and bid each a farewell as they departed for their native lands.

Martin and Judith Cook - UK Public Affairs Directors

Frankfurt is beautifully charming with interesting building, wonderful people and delicious food. We went to a restaurant called Weber's Restaurant in Feldbergblik to eat authentic German cuisine with Gabi Sirtl (Director for Public Affairs for Europe). We fell in love with the environment, server and especially the #87 (Braised Pork with Spaetzle) on the menu followed by Apple Strudel with custard/whipped cream and strawberries. So good that we went back for Mother's Day and added the Wienerschnitzel plus the strudel dessert!

Weber's Restaurant at Feldbergblik in Frankfurt 

I forgot to mention that it's asparagus time in Germany and everything has this tasty white asparagus in it or beside it... including this wonderful salmon asparagus cream soup. The little waitress (above) recognized us from our previous visit with Gabi and had the chef specially prepare the spaetzle for Joyce. At the conclusion of the meal, she gave Joyce a kiss on each cheek, wished her a happy Mother's Day and presented a rose to her. A truly charming and wonderful day....

Sister Jones, Sister van Wermeskerken (Netherlands), Malcolm Adcock (our Director in the UK) at the Frankfurt conference

Here's a bit form Frankfurt... beautiful city with spectacular food!

 Here we are with Sister Feil outside the cathedral in Frankfurt.

 Sister Feil and Joyce in the town centre of Frankfurt

Elders Feil & Jones in the other section of the town centre where there is a museum behind them

We are training the multi-stake directors this weekend in Solihull to be media spokespersons for the church in their various areas. We are completely amazed at the dedication and faithfulness of the wonderful saints who are on the front-line for the church. We will video each as they role-play an interview with a former news person. Then they will critique themselves and try (again on video) to deliver the key messages of the church. We'll deliver this training again next weekend to the YSA spokespeople in Manchester and Scotland in June. It's 12:52 a.m. and the day starts in 51/2 hours... so we should say goodbye until next week. We love you all...

3 May 2014

Sister Jones and I had a very busy week both with the Public Affairs assignment and with our local missionaries. Sunday was wonderful and Joyce became the 'substitute' Primary and Sacrament Meeting Pianist as those called "failed to show" as they say here in the UK.
A wonderful couple, the Martins, had us to a lovely Sunday dinner of a tri-fowl roast with all the English potatoes and vegetables topped with gravy. Brother Adrian Martin worked in banking and for the Church and Sister Agnes Martin served a mission at the same time in Southwest England as a former roommate of mine at the Y. So we connected on several fronts and learned their conversion / marriage stories. They met as singles in the London Temple.... a marriage made very close to heaven!

On Tuesday, we took one pair of missionaries to dinner at the Sheldon Toby Carvery. We then went with them to a Polish family that's investigating the gospel and had our first "real" missionary experience which is an amazing opportunity to feel the Holy Ghost in action.
Oh, since the night was still young, we then went to the Ward Fundraiser for the Mutual EFY summer experience. Sixteen people came for pancakes (really, crepes) besides those YM/YW leaders and kids making the desserts. What a humbling experience to know of our home ward's support and faithfulness and then see how difficult it is for these great saints. We sure many didn't come because of the hope or expectation for donation and/or the two buses they would have to take to get to the ward. As it was a late start (8:00 p.m.), we took the other set of Elders home or they would have missed the required 9:00 p.m. deadline due to the bus schedules.

Thursday we spent in London after a grueling 3 hour drive made difficult due to the "tube" strike in London... another tube strike is scheduled for 3 days next week.  We met with the Hyde Park Visitor's Centre directors, Elder and Sister Cardall (of KSL editorial fame), who are wonderful. Dr. James Faulconer and his wife, the director of the BYU London Centre, were so gracious and appreciative of all the work Sister Jones has done for the re-opening event in June.

Here's Sister Faulconer in the totally remodeled student dining area in the London Centre and below is the reception room. We found out that the residence next to the centre (where the faculty have their   flats (apartments) was the residence of Lord Shackleton (of Antarctica fame) while staying with his relations. By-the-way, the current value/cost of this residence in this area of London is a mere $5000 per square foot! President Worthen and many dignitaries will gather in June to rededicate the facility (provided it's ready by then???).

Some may know these Elders we met while Elder Teixeira was teaching the District Leaders for the London Mission. Elder Teixeira and his lovely wife were so gracious when we met them at the Public Affairs hosting room that we had just barely "refitted" (taking out dead plants, supplying refreshments, etc) a few moments before.

Elder Maynard (left) is Bishop and Sister Reed Maynard's grandson from Grandma and Grandpa Wrigley's ward in Bountiful. We've known the Maynards for most of our lives. On the right is Elder Torbit from Katy, Texas whose Stake President is John (McKell) Allen's father. The church makes the world a very small place!

Sister Jones and Hollie McKee a BYU graduate who works part-time for the Public Affairs department in the UK. Hollie is a very talented young lady who is also the Relief Society President in the Brittania YSA ward (it's a huge ward) in central London. 

Cute Sister just in front of the Victoria and Albert Museum in a typical London rain!

Friday brought a fairly good day (although a bit cooler) where we ran to the open air market at lunch to try to give us short break in a very busy day. The night before ended very late as the Elders from Stourbridge were teaching an Albanian immigrant in Sheldon and time got away from them. So the Sheldon Elders called just as we got home from London to see if we could 'bail-out' these missionaries because they missed their two buses / train. Our journey took us twenty minutes to the church and another 20 miles thru Birmingham to Stourbridge and then back again. The little missionary from Albania (Elder Dyer) was so pleased to have learned English in just 7 months that he  shared every bit of his family/personal history/life's aspirations in the 45 minute ride. We cannot even remember the name of the Elder from Billings, Montana as we didn't hear a word from him throughout the entire ride. Maybe he doesn't speak English.... just Albanian (just kidding)! It was fun and now we know that the gift of tongues incorporates more than just speaking... it's a gift of endless speaking! Don't you just love the confidence that comes on a mission as this Elder believes that he has such a "command" of the English language, he will now teach English in Albania. We love these missionaries!

This weekend is a bank holiday (meaning the continent had their bank holiday on Thursday and the British deserve one too), so we are off on Monday. Perhaps we'll see the Cotswolds.... more to come in a few days.