. . . .

THE BUILDER
Vol. 2

November,

EUROPEAN
CHURCH BUILDING MISSIONARY PROGRAM

As We Build Churches, We W ill Also Build People
 The Builder
Vol. 2. No. 11. November, 1962

Editor George R. Biesinger

Managing Editor Vernice G. Rosenvall

Associate Managing Editor Lou Ann Jackson

Proof Reader and Consultant Hazel Jackson

ADDRESSES AN D TELEPHONE NUMBERS:

Vernice G. Rosenvall Amersfoortsestraatweg 166

Bussum, N.H., Netherlands
Telephone: Bussum 1 12 42
Edythe Bradley 6 The Ridings
British Area Correspondent Epsom, Surrey, England
Telephone: Epsom 6249
Gladys Stirling No. 18 Walnut Close London Stake, British Mission,
Assistant in British Area Epsom, Surrey, England So. West British Mission, Cen
Telephone: Epsom 4728 tral British Mission

Elma Ogden 6 Woodburn Road Manchester Stake, Leeds Stake,

Assistant in British Area Northenden, Manchester Leicester Stake, North British
Telephone: Mission, No. East British Mis
sion

Mary Carter 76 Gleniffer Road Irish Mission, Scottish Mis

Assistant in British Area Renfrew, Scotland sion, Glasgow Stake, Sunder
Telephone: Renfrew 3847 land

Beatrice Berg 6368 Bad Vilbel/West Germany

Germanic Area Correspondent Am Tannenwald 2
Telephone: Bad Vilbel 20 17

Reba Winkel Herdersweg 1

Scandinavian Area Correspondent Laren, N.H., Netherlands
Telephone: Laren 24 97

Berna Hasenberg Amersfoortsestraatweg 21

Assistant in Scandinavian Area Naarden, N.H., Netherlands
Telephone: Bussum 1 89 93

. . . . .
BRITISH AREA: England, Scotland, Ireland
and Wales

GERM ANIC AREA: Germany, Austria and

Switzerland

SCANDINAVIAN AREA: Norway, Sweden, Denmark,

Finland, Netherlands, Bel
gium, France and the French
OS speaking part of Switzerland.
DRUK T K0GGESCH1P
AMSTERDAM
EDITORIAL

WE OFFER OUR THANKS

By
ELDER J. NEIL BRADLEY

If you turn to the Book of Genesis, where the Lord explains the generous and
abundant creation of the earth, you will notice that five-sixths of His working
time was devoted to creating the things of the earth and of man. After that work
was all done. He then created man. And God said, Behold, I have given you every
herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree. And
all this was created for the good of man. The fertile fields were created, the
forests, the streams, the oil, the coal and the natural gas. All of these things
were provided in sufficient abundance that they could meet the needs of Adam
and his posterity.
The fifty-ninth section of the Doctrine and Covenants verifies that these things
were made for the benefit of man wherein it says, The fulness of the earth is yours,
the beasts of the fields and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the
trees and walketh upon the earth; Yea, and the herb, and the good things which
com e of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns,
or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards; Yea, all things which come of the
earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and use of man, both to
please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste
and for smell, to strengthen the body and enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God
that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to
be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion. And in nothing doth
man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess
not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.
In the recent weeks there have been held in the different areas the first of what
may well soon be many Thanksgiving Services. These Thanksgiving Services denote
the completion of a new building. These new buildings are built to please the
eye, and to gladden the heart, as well as to show and to teach the world the
beauty of the Gospel. It is right and proper that we should give thanks and
acknowledge the goodness of our Father in Heaven. It is a pleasure to join our
voices with others and give thanks to those who through self-sacrifice and devotion
have made these lovely buildings possible.
As we come to this time of harvest and thanksgiving, let us remember; The earth
is the L ord s and the fulness thereof, and give thanks for the abundance which
we receive. Let us contemplate the unselfishness of the Lord wherein he has
given five-sixths of his time to creating things for the benefit of man. It rather
points up the insignificance of man, if we consider the time which we give in
furthering His work and in building His Kingdom, especially when we come to the
realization that it is His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality
and eternal life of man, and H e spends not five-sixths but His entire time in helping
us to help ourselves.

3
P R O G R E SS C H A R T Septem ber 1962

% COMPLETION
WARD OR STAKE OR START 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 O
AREA SUPERVISOR
BRANCH MISSION DATE
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 BRITISH WYTHENSHAWE MANCHESTER H. BOREN 25 May 61 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I FINISHED 15 DEC 61 DEDICATED 15 JULY 62 1111111111111111

2 BRITISH NE. AYCLIFFE NTH. BRITISH L. CLINE 27 May 61 i i m i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i i i i i i i f i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

3 BRITISH ROCHDALE MANCHESTER L. WORTLEY 10 June 61 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I E I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

4 BRITISH READING BRITISH C. ERICKSON 12 June 61 i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i i i i i

5 BRITISH LEEDS LEEDS C. HARRIS 17 June 61 i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m

6 BRITISH YORK NTH. BRITISH L. HIATT 24 June 61 i i i i i m i i i i m i i i m i i m m i f in is h e d 9 s e p t 62 Illlllllll lll lll lll lll lli lll lll

7 BRITISH W. HARTLEPOOL NTH. BRITISH R. LANE 1 July 61 im im im iiiiim im m m i f in is h e d 7 o c t 62 iiiiiim im m iim iiiiiiiiii

8 SCANDINAVIAN LAPPEENRANTA FINNISH E. KOHKONEN 3 July 61 ll lll lll llllllllllllllllllllllll FINISHED 31 MAY 62 iiM iiiiim iiim tiiiim iiiii

9 BRITISH LIVERPOOL MANCHESTER 0 . GRUNDVIG 22 July 61 i i i i i i i i i m i i M i i i i i i i m i i i i i i i i i E i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m

10 BRITISH SUNDERLAND NTH. BRITISH M. HARDING 12 Aug 61 iiiim iiiiiiiiiim iiiiiim im m ii

11 SCANDINAVIAN OSLO 1 NORWEGIAN P. HANSEN 12 Aug 61 iiiiiiiiiiim iiiiiim m m

12 GERMANIC VIENNA AUSTRIAN F. WALLNER 29 Aug 59 iiiiiiim im m iiiiiiiiiiiiiii fin is h e d 5 n o v 6i 11111111111111111111111111111111

13 BRITISH MERTHYR TYDFIL CEN. BRITISH A. ANDERSON 24 Aug 61 1111111111111111111111111111111111

14 GERMANIC HEIDE NTH. GERMAN W. KRAMER 31 Aug 61 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin iiiiiiiiiim iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiim iiiiiiiiiiii

15 GERMANIC WILHELMSBURG NTH. GERMAN J. TANNER 1 Sept 61 iiiiiim iiiiiim iiiim iiiim im iiiiim iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

16 BRITISH DEWSBURY LEEDS R. SMITHSON 2 Sept 61 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

17 GERMANIC KAISERSLAUTERN WEST GERMAN F. BIESINGER 15 Sept 61 i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

18 BRITISH CRAWLEY LONDON M. MOORE 16 Sept 61 i i m i i i i m i m i i i i i i i i i m i m i m i i i i

19 BRITISH LOWESTOFT CEN. BRITISH D. WOODBURY 23 Sept 61 i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i

20 BRITISH DRUMCHAPEL SCOTTISH s . M c D o n a ld 14 Oct 61 iiiiiiiiiiiim iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiim i

21 BRITISH BELFAST IRISH S. JAMES 19 Oct 61 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

22 BRITISH NOTTINGHAM LEICESTER F. NEILSEN 4 Nov 61 iim iiim iim iiiiiiiiim im m m m iiii

23 BRITISH SOUTHEND BRITISH J. MORSE 8 Nov 61 iiiiiim iiiim im m iiim m im m iiiiiiiim iiiiiiim m il

24 BRITISH DERBY LEICESTER D. LASSIG 11 Nov 61 im m m iiiim iiim m iiiiiim m m m iim im iiim m iiiiiiiiim m iiiiiim

25 BRITISH BEVERLEY NORTH BRITISH W. STRE1BEL 18 Nov 61 iiim iN im m im iiim iiim iiiiiiiiiiiiim m m iiiiii

26 SC AND IN AVIA N/* MISSION HOME DANISH M. ANDERSON 6 Dec 61 liiiim iim m m iiim m iim iiim iim m im iiiiiim i

27 BRITISH STOCKPORT MANCHESTER M. NEUFFER 15 Dec 61 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiK iiiiiiiiim iiiiiiiiiiiiiii

28 GERMANIC AUGSBURG SO. GERMAN F. WALLNER 12 Jan 62 m i i i i i i i i i i m i i i i i i i n i i i i i m m i m i i i i i i i i i i i

29 GERMANIC LOBECK HAMBURG W. HERTIG 20 Jan 62 iiiiiiiiiiiiiim iim iiim ii

30 SCANDINAVIAN MISSION HOME SWEDEN K. LAGERBERG 20 Jan 62 ll lll lll lll ll llllllllllllllim illlllllllll! ! !

31 GERMANIC TEMPELHOF BERLIN M. JENSEN 27 Jan 62 iiim iiiiim iiim iiiiiim iim im iiii

32 BRITISH STAKE CENTER MANCHESTER H. BOREN 8 Feb. 62 i i m i i m i i i m i i i i n i i i i m i i m i

33 GERMANIC * WARTENAU HAMBURG 1. DAVENPORT 17 Feb 62 m iim iiiim iiim iiiiiiiim iim iiiim m iiiim m

34 SCANDINAVIAN STOCKHOLM II SWEDISH C. ERIKSSON 17 Mar. 62 m i i i i i i m m

35 BRITISH STEVENAGE LONDON S. HAYWARD 24 Mar. 62 1111111111111111111111111

36 BRITISH EPSOM LONDON R. FISHER 31 Mar. 62 i i i i i i i i i i i i i i m t m i i i i i m i i i i i i i m i

37 BRITISH NORTHAMPTON CEN. BRITISH H.JENSEN 1 Apr 62 11111111111111111111

4
 % COMPLETION
WARD OR STAKE OR START
AREA SUPERVISOR 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 o
DATE
BRANCH MISSION
1 1 1 ___1
____ 1
____ 1
____ L 1 i 2

33 BRITISH NORWICH CEN. BRITISH W. STEWART 7 Apr 62 f lllllllllllllllllllll

39 BRITISH CAMBRIDGE CEN. BRITISH L. SEELY 14 Apr 62 I l l l l l l l l l l 1I I I I I I I I I I

40 SCANDINAVIAN BRUSSELS FRENCH H.HANSON 14 Apr 62 lllilllll

41 BRITISH MISSION HOME CEN. BRITISH J. SPARKS 27 Apr 62 iiiim m m ii

42 BRITISH ROMFORD BRITISH N. DE JEL 19 May 62 i ii m i ii i ii i ii m i i

43 BRITISH SOUTHPORT MANCHESTER C. JOHNSON 23 June 62 iiii ii i ( ii i ii m i m

44 BRITISH KIRKCALDY SCOTTISH F. CURTIS 23 June 62 im m iiiim iiim

45 SCANDINAVIAN TURKU FINNISH R.POULSON 29 June 62 i i i i i i i i i i

46 BRITISH PAISLEY SCOTTISH C. WATSON 30 June 62 i i i i i i i i i n i i i i i i i i i

47 GERMANIC ESSEN CEN. GERMAN H. MILLER 30 June 62 i i i i i i i i i i n i i i

48 SCANDINAVIAN LAHTI FINNISH E. KAHKONEN 2 July 62 iim m iiim

49 BRITISH ASHTON/OLDHAM MANCHESTER E. THEOBALD 7 July 62 iiiiiiiii

50 BRITISH LOUGHBOROUGH LEICESTER R. ORR 7 July 62 I I I H I I I I I I I I I

51 BRITISH IPSWICH CEN. BRITISH D. WORTHEN 11 July 62 i i i i i i i i i i i l

52 GERMANIC COBURG BAVARIAN D. LEHMAN 14 July 62 iiiiiiiiii

53 BRITISH AYR SCOTTISH C. BUCHANAN 14 July 62 iim i i ii i im i i

54 BRITISH SCUNTHORPE NO. BRITISH W. LAWS 14 July 62 i ii i ii i ii i m ii i

55 SCANDINAVIAN NICE EAST FRENCH G. THIBAULT 28 July 62 iiiiiiiiii

56 BRITISH DUDLEY LEICESTER L. MACHEN 4 Aug. 62 iiiiiiiiii

57 BRITISH DUNDEE SCOTTISH R. DAVIS 18 Aug. 62 iiiiiiiiii

58 BRITISH ABERDEEN SCOTTISH G. HANSEN 1 Sept 62 I I

59 GERMANIC NEUKOLLN BERLIN H. HAURAND 15 Sept 62 I I

60 BRITISH LONDONDERRY IRISH E. PEAY 22 Sept 62 I I

61 BRITISH BRISTOL DOWNEN S. W. BRITISH A. GLEASON 22 Sept 62 I I

62 BRITISH CHELTENHAM S. W. BRITISH A. BIESINGER 29 Sept 62 I I

63 BRITISH LEICESTER LEICESTER L. HIATT 29 Sept 62 I I

fr PROJECTS ARE ADDITIONS

m te p r o g r a m
September 1, 1962 - Ground breaking
ceremonies held for Aberdeen Stake
House, Scottish Mission. Elder George
Hansen will supervise construction.
September 2, 1962 - Jean-Claude Char-
rier called to be a Church Building Mis
sionary. Set apart September 3, 1962,
by Brother Roux.
Assigned to the Brussels Chapel project.
Address: c/ o Herbert G. Hanson, 24
Ave. De Brussels, Strombeek-Brabant,
Brussels, Belgium.
September 3, 1962 - Suzanne Willy van
m o v e s on
der Heide joined the Scandinavian Area called to be a Church Building Mission
Building Staff to work as a Secretary in ary. Set apart Sept. 13, 1962, by Pres.
the Office. Address: c/ o Church Build Cullimore. Assigned to the Rochdale
ing Department, Naarderstraat 21a, La- Chapel project. Address: c/ o Lawrence
ren N.H., Netherlands. Wortley, 476 Bury Road, Bamford,
September 5, 1962 - Alan John Ellis Rochdale, England.
called to be a Church Building Mission September 15, 1962 - Remodeling and
ary. Set apart September 13, 1962, by renovating of the old Netherlands Mis
Pres. Hanks. Assigned to the Liverpool sion home in the Hague was begun. It
Chapel project. Address: c/ o F. Oliver is to be used by the Church Microfilm
Grundvig, No. 3 Oak Road, Huyton- ing Department. Elder Glen H. Lybbert
with-Roby, Lancashire, England. will supervise construction.
September 13, 1962 - Clive Reading September 15, 1962 - Remodeling begun

5
 on the Finnish Mission home in Helsin
ki. Elder Carl Johansen will supervise
the work.
September 16, 1962 - Adam White
Deans called to be a Church Building
Missionary. Set apart September 24,
1962, by Pres. Brockbank. Assigned to
the Cambridge Chapel project. Address:
c/ o Leith M. Seely, 26 Derwent Close,
Cherryhinton Est., Cambridge, England.
September 18, 1962 - Roy Hill, wife
Erma Darley, and child Helene, arrived
in Frankfurt. Address: Temporarily c/ o
Germanic Area Office.
September 19, 1962 - Harry A. Kirk-
siek, wife Norma, and children Kris
tine 15, Dale 13, Peggy 11 and Julie
9, arrived in Frankfurt. Elder Kerksiek
will supervise the Darmstadt Chapel pro
ject. Address: Temporarily c/o Germanic
Area Office.
September 20, 1962 - J. G. Henry
Johnson and wife, June Howe, arrived
in Amsterdam, Holland, en route to
Lahti, Finland. At present Elder John
son will work with Elder Kohkonen
Address: Kirkkokato 13 B 44, Lahti,
Finland.
September 20, 1962 - James Leroy Tit-
mus, wife Tyra Lou, and children James
Leroy Jr. 14, Grey 11, and Becky Lou
7, arrived in London from Boise, Idaho.
Elder Titmus will act as Assistant Treas-
urer in the British Area Office. Address:
19 Woodridge Lodge, Craddocks Ave.,
Ashtead, England.
September 21, 1962 - Anton J. Gleason
and wife Leah Ashton arrived in Lon
don from Provo, Utah. Elder Gleason
will supervise the Bristol Chapel pro
ject. Address: 65 Stockwell Road, Black-
horse Road, Mangotfield, Bristol, Eng
land.
September 22, 1962 - Ground breaking
ceremonies held for Londonderry Branch
Irish Mission. Elder Earl Peay will
supervise construction.
September 22, 1962 - George Berdett
Ogden, and wife Elma Elzada arrived
in London from Chico, California.
Elder Ogden will be the Assistant Area
Supervisor in the British Area. Address:
6 Woodburn Road, Northenden, Man
chester.
September 22, 1962 - Ground breaking
ceremonies held for Bristol Downend
Branch, So. West British Mission. Elder
Anton Gleason will supervise construc
tion.
September 24, 1962 - F. Arvill Biesinger
and wife Delpha arrived in London
from Midvale, Utah. Elder Biesinger
will supervise the Cheltenham Chapel
project. Address: Plot 317, Warden Hill
Estate, Cheltenham, England.
6
September 29, 1962 - Ground breaking
ceremonies held for Cheltenham Branch
So. West British Mission. Elder Arvill
Biesinger will supervise construction.
September 29, 1962 - Ground breaking
ceremonies held for Leicester Ward,
Leicester Stake. Elder Lewis Hiatt will
supervise construction.
January 16, 1962 - Peter Leslie Craven
called to be a Church Building Mission
ary. Set apart January 16, 1962, by Pres.
Hemingway. Assigned to the Drum-
chapel Chapel project. Address: c/ o
S. McDonald, 1 Gowanlea Av., Drum-
chapel, Glasgow, Scotland.
April 10, 1962 - David Mordecai call
ed to be a Church Building Missionary.
Set apart April 24, 1962, by President
Cullimore. Assigned to the Manchester
Stake House project. Address: c/ o H.
Boren, 161 Styal Road, Gatley, Che
shire, England.
June 15, 1962 - Andrew McMurray
called to be a Church Building Mission
ary. Set apart July 2, 1962, by Pres.
Richardson. Assigned to the Cambridge
Chapel project. Address: c/ o Leith M.
Seely, 26 Derwent Close, Cambridge,
England.
July 4, 1962 - Ralph Orr, wife Glenda
Marie, and children, Ralph 4, Rhea 3,
Joseph 1, Raymond David 1 month,
arrived in London.
Elder Orr will supervise the Lough
borough Chapel project. Address: 167
Rydal Avenue, Loughborough, England.
July 10, 1962 - Toivo Voitto Kulju
called to be a Church Building Mission
ary. Set apart July 10, 1962, by Pres.
Mark E. Anderson. Assigned to the
Turku, Finland, Chapel project. Address
c/ o Reed Poulsen, Aninkaistenkatu 3 A,
Huoneiston No. 19, Turku, Finland.
July 12, 1962 - Martyn Bruce Reynolds
called to be a Church Building Mis
sionary. Set apart July 12, 1962, by
Pres. Poole. Assigned to the Kirkcaldy
Branch Chapel project. Address: c/ o
Frederick John Curtis, 51 Kilspindle,
Dunnikier Estate,Kirkcaldy, Fife,
Scotland.
July 19, 1962 - Horst-Dieter E. Benton
called to be a Church Building Mis
sionary. Set apart July 15, 1962, by
Pres. Richards. Assigned to the Kaisers
lautern Chapel project. Address: c/ o
Fred Biesinger, Schillerstrasse 3, Kai
serslautern, Alsenborg, Germany.
A upust 1, 1962 - William Albert Luty
called to be a Church Building Mis
sionary. Set apart July 31, 1962, by
Pres. Cullimore. Assigned to the Drum-
chapel Chapel project. Address: c/ o S.
McDonald, 1 Gowanlea Ave., Drum-
chapel, Glasgow, Scotland.
August 5, 1962 - Jacques Lion Jean
Machot called to be a Church Building
Missionary. Set apart August 29, 1962, by
Pres. Henry D. Moyle Jr. Assigned to
the Nice Chapel project. Address: c/o
Gordon Thibault, Les Residences du
Parc St. Maur, Les OrchidiesApt. 42,
Ave. Scuderie, Cimiey, Nice, France.
August 12, 1962 - Geoffrey George
Talbot called to be a Church Building
Missionary. Set apart September 2,
1962, by Pres. Livesey. Assigned to the
Liverpool Chapel project. Address: c/o
F. Oliver Grundvig, No. 3, Oak Road,
Huyton-with-Roby, Lancashire, England.
August 13, 1962 - Paul Stanley Pen
rose called to be a Church Building Mis
sionary. Set apart August 13, 1962, by
Peter W. Klein. Assigned to the Kirkcal
dy Chapel project. Address: c/ o Fred
erick J. Curtis, 51 Kilspindle, Dunnikier
Estate, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland.
August 17, 1962 - Peter Mourik called
to be a Church Building Missionary.
Set apart August 19, 1962, by Pres.
Stovee. Address: c/ o Herbert G. Han
son, 24 Ave, De Brussels, Strombeek-
Brabant, Brussels, Belgium.
August 21, 1962 - Marian Whitehead
called to be a Church Building Mission
ary. Set apart September 10, 1962, by
Elder Frank Holland. Address: c/ o
Church Building Department, Haredon
House (2nd Floor), London Road,
North Cheam, Surrey, England.
August 24, 1962 - Theo van Schouwen-
burg called to be a Church Building
Missionary. Set apart August 24, 1962,
by Pres. Henry Volker. Assigned to the
Brussels Chapel project. Address: c/ o
Herbert G. Hanson, 24 Ave. De Brus
sels, Strombeek-Brabant, Brussels, Bel
gium.
August 25, 1962 - Ronald Trafford Da
vis, wife Hellen, and children Ronald
James, 11; Linda Sharon, 9; John Lyn
don, 4; Robert Gerald, 9 months; ar
rived in London. Elder Davis will super
vise the Dundee, Scotland Chapel pro
ject.
Address: No. 3, Blake Street, Dundee,
Scotland.
August 26, 1962 - Eeva-Maija Salminen
called to be a Church Building Mission
ary. Set apart August 29, 1962, by Pres.
Mark E. Anderson. Assigned to the
Lahti, Finland, Chapel project. Ad
dress: c/ o Elmer Khokonen, Kirkkoka-
tu 13 B 44, Lahti, Finland.
August 27, 1962 - Marilyn Carter call
ed to be a Church Building Missionary.
Set apart August 30, 1962, by Elder
Frank Holland. Assigned to work in
Building Office in London. Address: 7
Beechwood Court, St. James Road, Sur
rey, England.
British Area Church Building Missionary Supervisor
D O N O V A N H. W O R TH E N and Family
Elder Donovan Hayden Worthen was born at Hunter, Utah,
just after the turn of the century. He is the son of Frank
Elliott and Emma Hayden Worthen, and is the eldest of
fourteen children, nine boys and five girls. His great grand
father, John Worthen was an English convert to the
Church, and an early pioneer who helped build the Nauvoo
Temple and spent more than thirty years on the Salt Lake
Temple.
Elder Worthen grew to manhood among the Ute Indians.
He had his early schooling in a two-room log cabin. He
traveled to Salt Lake City to attend high school, staying
with his father s sisters. He spent his early life building,
taking an engineering course from ICS while he was work
ing at his trade. In May, 1921, he finished the first church
building he had been privileged to work on, donating six
months of long, but pleasant days. Elder Worthen has spent
the last thirty years building schools, hospitals, industrial
buildings, chapels and stake centers of various types and
sizes. Building has been his whole life, both of materials of
the earth and also building boys into great spiritual men.
Elder Worthen was called on a mission to the North Cen
tral States Mission. At this time he and Sister Worthen
were engaged, and upon his return they were married June
22, 1932, in the Salt Lake Temple by President David O.
McKay. Grace Viola Middleton Worthen was born at
Union. Utah, a daughter of Richard Francis Middleton and
Hilda Johnson Middleton. She attended school at Midvale
and graduated from Jordan High School. She then spent
eight years doing office work in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her
Ground Breaking - Ipswich Branch - Central British Mission
Ground Breaking Ceremonies for the Ipswich Branch, Cen
tral British Mission, were held at the chapel site on Sat
urday, August 11, 1962, President James A. Cullimore of
the Centra] British Mission presided with Branch President
Peter Giles conducting.
f President Cullimore stressed faith in the leadership of the
girlhood years were spent in Church activities. She has been
a Sunday School teacher since her early teens, and has
been called to various positions in the Relief Society, MIA,
and Genealogy groups.
She has spent countless hours in the homes of those who
have had need of help and comfort, and her home has
always been open to the young and old alike.
Elder and Sister Worthen have three lovely children: a
daughter Joyce, and two sons, Blaine and Gary. They also
have five lovely grandchildren.
The opening song was How Firm A Foundationfollowed
by the opening prayer offered by Elder Glen Hales. Talks
were given by President James A. Cullimore; Elder Albert
B. Stirling, Assistant Area Supervisor; Elder Donovan H.
Worthen, Supervisor of Construction; and President Jeffrey
Packe.
Church, and stated that through our efforts, our lives would
be touched and the Church would grow. He said, We all
have a definite responsibility and should work together.
He also stated that sacrifice would bring forth the bless
ings of Heaven.
Elder Stirling said that we each had a responsibility between
us and the Lord, and we should give thanks to Him for this.
He also stated, We are to fill the measure of our creation.
Elder Worthen reminded the members that the building of
this chapel was their dream to be fulfilled, and if we be
lieve it, let
s do it!
President Packe quoted the members in their statement,
What we would give to have a chapel, and asked What
are you going to give? He asked the members to come
to the site and join in the spirit of hymn singing with the
Supervisor. He said it would do their hearts good, and give
them a new spirit of cooperation.
Ground was then broken by President Cullimore and the
benediction offered by Elder Jack Jacobs.
7
BRITISH AREA

Church B u ildin g M issionary

IRA CARL BUCHANAN

Ira Carl Buchanan was born December

29, 1912, at Torrey, Wayne County,
Utah, son of Ira Mason Buchanan and
Alice Mabel Carrell. Elder Buchanan
says of his early life, I have one broth
er, Doyle Hudson Buchanan who lives
in Besta, California, and a sister, Mrs.
Thayne V. Ralston from Kingman, Ari
zona. My father was in the construction
trade during much o f my youth, so we
moved several times. We left Wayne
County when I was six years of age and
lived at various times in Roosevelt,
Springville, Manti, Utah. We then mov
ed to Las Vegas, Nevada, where I
lived until I was sixteen years of age,
at which time I left school and home to
go to Los Angeles, California, to work.
The rest of my education was gathered
from missionary experiences, corres
pondence courses, and the school of
hard knocks. When eighteen years
old, I was called to fill a mission to the
Central States from which I received an
honorable release in 1933.
Eunice Munk Buchanan was born
January, 4, 1918, at Manti, Utah, a
daughter of Junius C. Munk and Annie
Caroline Anderson Munk. She states,
have three brothers, J. Lloyd Munk,
Idaho Falls, Idaho; Jesse K. Munk,
Grace, Idaho; and Clair A. Munk,
Manti, Utah. I lived only at Manti ex
cept for a short time when our family
moved to Mammoth, Utah. My hus
band and I were married June 6, 1934,
in the Salt Lake Temple. I was sixteen
years of age, and Elder Buchanan was
twenty-one. We have had eight lovely
children, seven o f whom are still liv
ing. We lost a daughter, Iris Lee, when
she was twenty-three years old. She had
been a victim o f cerebral palsy since
birth. Our children are Ronald Mason
and wife, Carol, with three daughters,
residing at Buena Park, California; Pat
ricia C. Buchanan Ray and husband,
Demar, also with three children, of
Baldwin Park, California; Shirley June
Buchanan, Garden Grove, California;
Michael C. Buchanan, Riverside, Cali
fornia. Three of our children, Philip D.,
Melissa J., and Denise Ann accompani
I ed us to England.
Elder Buchanan has been Sunday School
superintendent, Elders Quorum presi
dent, ward teacher, Sunday School
teacher, Senior Aaronic secretary, and
for five years held the position of
Bishop of Mesa 12th Ward, Maricopa
Stake, Arizona. From 1944 to 1949,
he was a Peace Officer in Prescott, Ari
zona, and also served with the Yavapai
County Sheriff s Office. Sister Buchan
an has held positions in several o f the
organizations Sunday School, YW
MIA and Relief Society.
Sister Buchanan says, We have a keen
interest in rock-hunting and enjoy
searching for new and different speci
mens to cut and polish.
We were called to the Building Pro
gram, January 25, 1962, but due to
several misfortunes were delayed until
June 20, 1962. We are happy to have
received this call and hope and pray
always that with the help of the Lord
we will be instruments in serving the
Church and in the building up of the
Church in this part of the world to aid
in spreading the Gospel. We arrived in
London, England, June 22, 1962, and
have been assigned to Ayr, Scotland.

Ground Breaking
Londonderry Branch - Irish Mission

On September 22, 1962, Ground Breaking services were

held for the new chapel in Londonderry, Ireland. This
will be the second chapel under construction in North Ire
land and the first one since Ireland was made a separate
mission.

The site is a beautiful spot located in a choice part of the

city. The County Council was responsible for the Church
getting a permit to build on this property. The weather was
cloudy, but the rain stayed away for this historic occasion.
One hundred Saints gathered around the spot where the
first shovel o f earth would be broken and as they sang,

8
How Firm A Foundation, you could see the windows
of the surrounding homes open with interest.
Present for this glorious occasion were President and Sis
ter Stephen R. Covey, President of the Irish Mission; Pres
ident Robert Diving, first counselor to the President; Dis
trict President Robert Smythe; Branch President Wm. R.
Smythe; Elder and Sister Wesley Carter, Assistant Area
Supervisor; and Elder and Sister Earl Peay, Supervisor of
construction.
The opening prayer was given by Brother Thomas E.
Chambers. District President Robert Smythe conducted the
services. He said that five years ago there were only eight
members in Londonderry, and now there are about eighty.
Ever since the Elders first came to Londonderry they have
looked forward to having their own chapel. Their goal is to
have it finished by the end of 1963.
Elder Wm. R. Smythe, new Branch President, spoke of
the peace and joy received from serving the Lord and prog
ressing and looking ahead to better things.
Elder Wesley Carter remarked on the beauty of the site
and of the joy and happiness the Saints will receive from
helping to build this chapel. He also said that this chapel
would be standing at the time of the millennium.
Elder Peay spoke of being happy in his assignment and
his hope that when they started they could go forward and
work unitedly together.
Germ anic A rea Church B u ildin g M issionary Supervisor
D A N LEHMAN and Family
Dan Lehman was born May 5, 1913, in Granger, Utah, to
August and Martha A. Albrand Lehman. Granger was then
an obscure farming community where neighbours were few
and far between. Since then, however, this quiet little
community has been transformed into a busy hive of sub
divisions, of which Dan was also guilty of contributing a
small portion.
It was here as a boy that Dan learned to love the freedom
of farm life the fresh air, the hard work and the hearty
meals, the fragrance of the freshly plowed soil which he
enjoyed while following the hand plow day after day, and
the nostalgic recollection of new mown hay which surely
everybody loves. This was an experience within itself.
Whenever the daily monotony got unbearable, he and his
brothers would inject a bit of hilarity conducting an ex
periment or two, such as tying a bucket to the tail of Dad s
best milk cow and anxiously awaiting the results. Following
the hearty laughs that accompanied the hilarious spectacle,
they would be called into account for the abrupt decline of
lacteal fluid, and again their experiment had failed to prove
profitable.
Brother Lehman served as a missionary in the now East
German Zone. He is a Seventy in the Church.
Sister Lehman was born February 21, 1912, in Driggs,
Idaho, to A.T. Porters, a convert from Canada, and his wife.
They were devout Church workers. She has three older
brothers. Her mother died when she was six and her father
married Ella Rigby. They had twin daughters and a son.
The Durrant family were raised in Idaho and Utah. Grace
was graduated as a nurse from the LDS Hospital.
The Lehmans lived on a little acreage in Holladay, Salt
Lake. Their hobbies were working in their flower and veg
President Diving expressed his joy to be present and re
joice with the Saints. He said, Build your chapel with love.
President Covey thanked everyone for the planning and
preparation that had gone into this glorious ceremony. He
said that President and Sister Brockbank would have liked
to have been there and he thanked them for their prepara
tory work. He wondered how many precious moments like
this one the people would be able to witness in the years to
come. He said, The Lord has set us apart to do this great
work and to erect a beautiful monument on this spot. This
is the work of the Lord.
Sister Carter said this was her first experience in Ireland,
and she thought the people were wonderful. She told of
being present at the Thanksgiving service held for the com
pletion of the York Chapel.
Sister Peay expressed her gratitude for being able to come
to Ireland to serve with her husband.
Sister Covey told of the Building Conference and the
tremendous vision of the Building Program.
President Covey performed the first breaking of the ground
with the other authorities and members following. The serv
ices were concluded by singing, The World Has Need of
Willing Men. Benediction was offered by Elder Donald
Cliffton. The members reluctantly left the site, but the mem
ory of this wonderful occasion will live long in the minds
of the people who were there. (This report was submitted
by Sister Myrl Peay, wife of the project Supervisor. Ed.)
etable gardens and an orchard of approximately 200 fruit
trees, which they miss very much. They lived in the H ol
laday First Ward for the past fifteen years, where Elder Leh
man was on the Senior Aaronic Committee and a ward
teacher. Sister Lehman has worked in Primary and most
recently in Relief Society. Their children were active in
the various organizations. Their parents report that Lynda
and Joseph are adjusting well to this new way of life.
The Lehman family, including the two children, Lynda
sixteen and Joseph thirteen had had a farewell and were
set apart for the Australian Mission, when Brother Men
denhall asked if they would like to go to the German Mis
sion. Brother Lehman is the Supervisor o f the new chapel
under construction at Coburg, Germany.
9
Germ anic A rea Church B u ilding M issionary Supervisor

JACK SOMMER and Family

Jack Sommer was born of good Latter-Day Saint parents
May 3, 1929, at Rexburg, Idaho, the seventh of eight chil
dren of Edward Sommer and Alice Ethel Hendricks. A
few days before his tenth birthday, his mother passed away.
By necessity he became the chief cook and house keeper.
He attended the elementary and high schools in his home
town and was active in Primary, MIA and the Aaronic
Priesthood throughout his early years. In April, 1949, he
received a call from the Lord to fulfill a mission to the
Swiss-Austrian Mission, which at that time was presided
over by President Samuel E. Bringhurst. While he was on
his mission I became acquainted with him.
Before getting to know my husband to be, I had been
making plans to go to America to join my youngest sister
who had gone before me. I left in July, 1951, and inasmuch
as I was going to his home town. Jack asked me if I would
visit his parents and also maybe write him a letter. This I
did and our correspondence became a courtship by mail.
Two weeks after he returned from his mission, on January
2, 1952, we were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. T o us many others of the Building Program. Truly this was an
have been entrusted, from our Heavenly Father, five healthy outstanding day in our lives.
children, four boys and one girl: Jack, nine; Thane, I, along with my mother and brothers and sisters, joined
seven; Shawn, six; Michele, five; and Raymond, two. the Church in Switzerland when I was nine years old. My
Jack served as ward clerk in the Hibbard Ward, North Rex father did not join until years later. In 1958 my parents
burg Stake, from October, 1953, to November, 1958, when came to America for a visit, at which time my sister in
he was released and sustained as second counselor in the America and myself were sealed to them in the Salt Lake
bishopric, in which capacity he was serving when we re Temple. Other than that sister, I have two sisters and three
ceived this call. brothers, who live in Switzerland. My father is a counselor
On May 8, 1962, he received a telephone call from the in the branch presidency in the Zollikofen Branch, Bern,
Church Building Office. Brother Walton s secretary asked Switzerland.
him to report to their office in Salt Lake the following day. I have served as Sunday School teacher, counselor in the
When he arrived he was informed that he, his wife and Primary presidency, Relief Society visiting teacher and in
children were to pack up and leave the comforts of Ame structor and Primary teacher.
rica and fly to those distant German-speaking countries of Our interests at home have been raising a family. Jack is
Europe to expend their full time in building up the Lord s a mason contractor and in the course of time he has, along
kingdom, by building chapels and living the Gospel amongst with many other structures, done the masonry work on nine
the people. teen different branch, ward and stake buildings. We have
On June 21, 1962, after traveling sixteen hours from our a small farm and had cattle to raise as a hobby. A farm is a
airport in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and having almost missed the wonderful place to raise a family.
plane in Denver, we arrived in Frankfurt, Germany, with Jack is assigned to the Liibeck Chapel project and with the
our five excited children. There we were warmly greeted by help of the other brethren there, the masonry work is well
Elder Frank C. Berg, and his wife and family along with under way.

British Area Ground Breaking - Renfrew W ard - Glasgow Stake

Just one week before the Stake Con

ference that made Renfrew Branch a
Ward, ground was broken for their
Chapel. On August 18, 1962, with the
beautiful garden o f the Scottish Mis
sion as its setting, a ground breaking
service was held. Although the days
preceeding and following were cold
and wet, August 18th was sunny and
warm, and even the usual West wind
was quiet.
We had planned on having the service

10
in a sunny corner o f the garden, but
because o f the unusual warmth, it was
moved to the shade.
The service began with a heartfelt hymn,
How Firm A Foundation,after which
Brother Pete Cameron offered the in
vocation. The services were conducted
by Branch President Robert Finlay,
with President Bernard P. Brockbank
of the Scottish Mission presiding.
Speakers were, David Porch, District
President; Jean Rudd, Relief Society
President; Golden R. Stettler, Building
Supervisor; Archibald R. Richardson,
now President of the Glasgow Stake;
and President Bernard P. Brockbank of
the Scottish Mission.
Sister Jean Rudd commented on how
beautiful the garden was and how some
might feel it a pity to take part of it up
or change it, but that the edifice that
would be erected there would be much
more beautiful. She admonished the sis
ters to support the Priesthood in doing
their work.
The Lord has put forth his hand here
in Scotland and great will be the growth
of the Church said Elder Stettler. He
also said that many of us would be re
quired to help build other chapels as
well.
President Richardson spoke o f how the
Building Program was breaking down
prejudices and that as we worked we
should remember that we are building
souls, not just buildings.
President Brockbank said how good it
was to be in Scotland when the Church
is behind us, encouraging us to build up
branches and wards and stakes here.
Within the next six years he said we
would have one hundred chapels here
in Scotland. He spoke o f the building
restrictions that have hampered the
work, particularly of the Glasgow
Stake Center.
All o f the speakers messages w'ere in
spirational and at the conclusion of the
meeting when the ground was broken,
the seventy-five members present felt
eager to get on with the work o f erect
ing the Chapel. May this feeling con
tinue to grow throughout the coming
year.
The closing song, Put Your Shoulder
to the Wheelwas sung, afterwhich the
benediction was offered by Brother
James Smith.

British Area
Ground Breaking Dudley Branch - Leicester Stake

On August 4, 1962, Ground Breaking Ceremonies were held

for the Dudley Branch, Leicester Stake. Music for the oc
casion was furnished by Brother John Craven on his port
able organ.
The opening song was Israel, Israel, G od Is Calling, af
terwhich the invocation was offered by Elder Albert Stir
ling, Assistant Area Supervisor. The meeting was conducted
by President John J. Bowcutt, Branch President, and
presided over by Stake President Kenneh J. Poole.
The talks given were very inspirational. President Poole
brought out the potential o f this area with its population of
64,000 and assured the members that they need not worry
for their burdens would be light. He ended his remarks by
calling attention, to the beauty of the site. Brother Stir
ling also mentioned the beauty of the chapel site and that
from then on it was to be sacred in their thoughts. In
closing, he spoke of the minority o f the small branch, yet
how the small and weak could confound the mighty. This
was illustrated by the small stone gathering more and more
earth as it rolled forth until it filled the entire earth.
Elder Machen related experience in the States o f small
communities building their chapels. He illustrated the actual
phases of the chapel in which members could best give of Elder Baird, Area Architect, assured the members their
their services. His son Stephen gave thanks for his oppor burdens would be light. He called attention to the influence
tunity to help build the chapel. the women could have by supporting the men and assisting
President Cullimore suggested that additional members be with the painting, making of drapes, etc. He pointed out the
brought to meetings and be asked to help with the building. joys of working together in this capacity.
He pointed out the importance of the Building Missionaries
and said, The members biggest problem is to make up their The ground was then broken by Kenneth J. Poole, Stake
minds to tackle the job ahead. He urged those present to President; James A. Cullimore, Mission President; and
do their share and a little more without thought of what John T. Bowcutt, Branch President, afterwhich the bene
the other person was contributing. diction was offered by Bishop Walter Green.

11
British Area

Thanksgiving Service - York Branch - North East British

Chapel. The opening song was Come, Come Ye Saints,

sung by the congregation. The opening prayer was offered
by Elder Gordon Edwards, Church Building Missionary
who served seven months on the chapel.
Elder Lewis W. Moore, European Treasurer, was the first
speaker and represented Elder George Biesinger, who was
unable to attend. He said what a momentous occasion this
was. It marked a mile-stone in the Building Program in
England. Elder Moore expressed Elder Biesinger s love and
best wishes for the Saints and said how sorry he was that
he could not be in attendance. He complimented the Saints
on the work and effort they have put forth and pointed out
how true the statement is As we build churches, we will
also build people.He used as an example the young men
who serve as Church Building Missionaries.
The choir then sang How Beautiful Thy Temples, Lord.
Elder Lewis Hiatt was the second speaker. Everyone felt the
happiness that was in his heart when he said his heart was
full and overflowing and what a wonderful moment it was
in his life, to see the chapel filled almost to capacity. He
said how much he owed to the young men who served with
him in York and he expressed his gratitude to his dear wife
when he said how much he owed to her. He then asked the
Church Building Missionaries and Sister Hiatt to say a few
words.
September 7, 8, and 9, 1962, Thanksgiving Services were Elder Gordon Edwards: It is easy to bear testimony to
held for the first completely new chapel erected under the something you know is true. It s a thrill to be back in York.
direction o f the Church Building Committee and through York is a place full of history and now we have a new tourist
the Church Building Missionary Program as it is presently attraction, but this building is just the start of what is to be.
established in England. I wish to thank President McKay for instigating this Pro
Friday, September 7, saw 400 people viewing the building. gram and I am thankful to be a part of it. If any o f you
Three families requested baptism as a result of what they
saw. To the proselyting missionaries went 105 referral
cards for future contact. One Methodist Sunday School
teacher expressed her surprize and chagrin to find two of
her girlsthere with guide pinned to their blouses. She
said the next she knew they would probably be baptized.
We had to inform here that they already were. One of the
building inspectors for the city o f York said that the new
chapel, cultural hall, classrooms and other facilities com
bined to make one o f the finest buildings in the city of York.
Saturday the building was again opened for the purpose of
honoring those who had worked so diligently to erect the
magnificent edifice. After enjoying the talents o f Elder
Phelps at the organ, those who had labored as Church
Building Missionaries and Elder and Sister Hiatt, the Su
pervisor of Construction, were highly praised and given
tokens of appreciation. Also honored were Branch President
Norman Wilkinson and former Branch President Wilford
Roberts. After a delightful buffet supper, the chapel was
cleaned and made ready for the Thanksgiving Services to
be held on Sunday morning.
September 9, Thanksgiving Service was conducted by
President Norman Wilkinson. He welcomed those who were
present and said what a wonderful moment this was for the
Saints who had participated in the construction o f the York

12
here are not members o f the Church, investigate it before
you make any criticism.
Elder Allen Munn: Life is like a grindstone. In either
grinds you down, or it polishes you up. This is not an
easy Program. I m grateful to all who have been so kind to
me here. I hope we will keep this building sacred and care
for it.
Elder Malcolm Metcalf: When we were working on the
building, we used to joke about what it would be like to
stand at this pulpit. Believe me, it s no joke... I feel un
worthy to be a Building Missionary. I am so thankful to
be associated with Elder Hiatt, and thankful for the Build
ing Program.
Sister Betty Hiatt: It is truly a thrill to see this building
full. How grateful we were when we came to York and
what a wonderful welcome we received. I pray that you
will always be proud of your chapel and that you young
people will remember that it is Heavenly Father s House.
May you have many happy occasions here. It s been won
derful to work with you and to work for the Lord.
Dennis Boydell: He expressed gratitude to the York Branch
and the strength they had been to him. He thanked Elder
and Sister Hiatt.
Michael Adamson: I am proud and grateful to have worked
on this building. I wish to thank Elder and Sister Hiatt
and family, the crew, and all the members o f the York
Branch.
Elder Hiatt then said, With a fine crew like you have just
heard from and the Lord s help how could we fail? I was
called into this Building Program sixteen months ago
Money could t buy the experiences we are having. I m so
grateful to my wife and my Father in Heaven for all these
blessings, and grateful for these fine missionaries.
Song by the congregation: Com e Ye Thankful People,
Come.
Elder J. Neil Bradley, British Area Supervisor then spoke
of the love and devotion that had gone into the construction
of the chapel.
REPORTS FROM T H E PR O JECTS
A Letter o f Thanks - From Johnny Cristian Olsen, Church Building
Missionary, Oslo I Chapel, Norwegian Mission
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I want to express my gratitude to all you wonderful people
in the European Building Mission and especially in the
Scandinavian Area, for the wonderful conference in Sweden.
It was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life to
meet all you wonderful servants of the Lord . you from
Finland, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark,
Sweden, and England. I feel so wonderful when I think
that even if we politically represent so many different na
tions, in reality we all belong to the same Kingdom; that is,
the Kingdom of Christ. It is mighty inspiring to think of the
fact that we are now participating in the greatest operation
o f history the operation of making all men brothers and
sisters and uniting them under the banner of truth, freedom
and love in the Kingdom.
He told the story of the grandfather of President Burton
who was a stone mason and lived in Alpine Utah. Each
Monday he walked 28 miles to help in the construction of
the Salt Lake Temple. On Friday he made the return jour
ney home to help his sons in the fields. One Saturday as he
was working on the farm he was kicked by a cow and his
leg was broken so badly that the only thing they could do
was saw it off. Everyone thought this would be the end
of his work on the Temple; but sometime later, when the
stub had healed sufficiently, he carved himself, a wooden
leg and once again set off on the long walk to the Temple.
When he arrived there he climbed up on a scaffold and
carved in the stone above the door, Holiness to the
Lord.Elder Bradley encouraged us to have this same cour
age. He then handed over the keys to President Wilkinson
and said he hoped the Saints would remember that this
was the House of the Lord and to treat it as such at all
times.
A sweet and touching song, The Chapel D oors was
sung by the Primary children.
President Grant S. Thorn gave a few minutes o f his time
to a young lady who was leaving to go to school in the
States. Though her family had forsaken her because of the
Gospel, she spoke of love and how much she has learned
about love since coming into the Church. After her lovely
sweet testimony, President Thorn told how this young girl
had been smitten with polio when only fourteen months old
and after spending her life in a wheel chair he was privileged
to see her struggle to use crutches and finally, through her
faith and courage she is walking without aid now. He ex
pressed his gratitude for this girl and others like her who
have made his testimony grow. He expressed his love for
his family and then said, Keep this chapel in a condition
that will always be pleasing in the sight of the Lord.
The meeting was closed by singing the hymn, How Firm
A Foundation,and the first meeting to be held in the new
York Chapel was ended. The benediction was offered by
President Livesey of the Leeds Stake. Approximately 700
people were in attendance.
I want to thank all who attended the conference for the
strength and encouragement you gave me. Also I want to
thank all you who made the preparations and made it so
wonderful for us while we were in Saltsjobaden.
I want to bear you my testimony. I know that Joseph
Smith is a Prophet of G od one of the greatest. I know
that David O. McKay is a Prophet of God. I know that
G od the Eternal Father, and His Son Jesus Christ live, and
have organized the true Church again, of which we are
members. Our reponsibility is to be the salt of the world.
Let us all try to live worthy o f the steady companionship
of the Holy Ghost and more so for every day we are here
on the earth. Then we are truly useful as salt of the world
and the Lord is with us.
Sincerely your brother in the service o f the Lord,
Johnny Christian Olsen
13
Germanic Area Church B u ildin g M issionaries

WOLFGANG FIEBELKORN

I was born on November 19, 1940, in Boizenburg/Elbe. My parents are Karl and Anita
Fiebelkorn. In 1954 my mother and I fled to the West German Republic where later we
acquired an apartment.

Through the visit of missionaries we learned about the Gospel and were baptized on
August 30, 1959. In January o f 1961, I became a soldier. After my discharge on March
27, 1962, it was my wish to become a missionary. Until my call on September 3, 1962,
I worked in my own profession as mason. On August 26, 1962, I was ordained an elder
by President Stephen C. Richards and called to be a Church Building Missionary for two
years.
Today I am very happy to have made this decision to serve our Heavenly Father.

VOLKER DIETHELM HAGEN

I was born on May 21, 1940, in Cott
bus, East Germany. My father s name
was Fritz Hagen and my mother s, Ka-
the. I have two sisters and three broth
ers. My oldest brother is married and
has a family of his own.
As my parents were members o f the
Church, I had the opportunity to live
the Gospel since childhood. I was bap
tized on my eighth birthday which was
a wonderful experience as almost all
the members o f our branch were pres
ent. My Sunday School teacher offered
me a Book of Mormon in remembrance
of this day, which gave me the oppor
tunity to always read this wonderful
book.
Nevertheless, those good times we had
as children were broken up by a very
sad happening. Shortly after our young
est sister was born, our father left us.
At first we thought everything would
be all right and he would come back,
but with the years going by we knew
that our father was lost to us. My two
younger sisters never really knew him.
My mother tried very hard, with all
her strength to give us a good home
in spite of our poverty. We will never
be able to repay her with money for
all the love and goodness she gave us.
When, in the year 1954, I started my
apprenticeship as a carpenter, part o f
the responsibility for the family fell
on my shoulders. But the self-sacrifice
of my mother gave me the power to
forget all my personal wishes. It was
always my wish that my two sisters
would have a better youth than I had
had and that our mother would be re
warded for all the work and pain she
had with us. Even though we had fi
nancially hard times, I remember that
we always went together to the sfemi-
yearly conferences. Often mother did
not know how she would pay the fare
for our large family, but our Father in
Heaven always, in some strange way,
helped us. After my apprenticeship I
went to work for a big company and
I had the opportunity of directing some
o f the departments.
This work did not last and at the be
ginning of 1960 I had to leave my home
and go to Heidelberg in West Ger
many. There I was ordained a Priest.
In all that time my strong testimony
o f the truth of the Gospel helped me
and gave me strength to keep the com
mandments and to stay true to the
Church s teachings.
I later accepted work in Switzerland
where I had always wished to go. There
I found my second homeland and had
the opportunity to visit almost all the
branches of the Swiss Mission. I got
acquainted with many o f their dear
members.
When I received my call as a Build
ing Missionary on the 28th of June,
1962, it was the fulfillment of a wish.
My home branch is Biel in Kanton,
Bern. President W. S. Erickson set me
apart as a Building Missionary on
August 10, 1962, in Basel and on the
11th o f August I went to Coburg which
was to be my first assignment.
I am grateful to be able to work for
the Lord and I know that my Father
in Heaven will bless me if I live the
commandments. My hobbies are danc
ing, music, mathematics and my motor
cycle.
My thanks at this time go to my moth
er and all the good brothers and sisters
who taught me the Gospel and so show
ed me the way that I am now able to
fulfill a mission for the Lord.

14
HORST-DIETER E. BENTEN
I am very thankful for being called as
a Church Building Missionary to work
here in Kaiserslautern. I have been a
member for one and one-half years and
I am grateful for my call which I re
ceived on July 12, 1962. On July 16,
I started my mission.
Since that time my family has re
ceived many blessings. My mother was
baptized on April 22, together with my
little sister.' That day was the most
beautiful in my life. I hope my broth
er Werner, who is sixteen years old,
will be baptized soon. My father knew
o f the Church but died on April 6,
British A rea
Ground Breaking - Aberdeen Stake House - Scottish Mission
On September 1, 1962, Ground Break
ing Ceremonies were held for the Aber
deen Stake House, Scottish Mission.
The day was sunny just made to
order for the glorious occasion.
The invocation was offered by Presi
dent Charles Sullivan o f the North
Branch; afterwhich the opening song
Oh My Father was sung. Everyone
sang with much spirit including a visit
ing minister.
In the talks given, President William
Smith (Zone Counselor) mentioned that
he had been blessed to negotiate for the
1962. If he would have become a mem
ber he would have been quite active in
Church. It is my wish to be baptized
in the Temple for him. On October 13,
1962, I will be eighteen years old and
I believe it is the best age for a Build
ing Missionary. Every young man who
is a member of the Church should go
on a mission.
I believe it is not easy to work in a
profession which is not ones own but
with the help of our Heavenly Father
it will work out fine. May our Father
in Heaven give all missionaries the
necessary strength.
land, and with his help, Elder Stanford
Bird was able to purchase this lovely
site. It was found through inspiration he
was sure. Mr. Keith, the city architect,
was very helpful in securing the site
also.
Elder Wesley Carter, Assistant Area
Supervisor, felt it was a memorable day
for the Saints in Aberdeen, but stated
it would take prayers and humbleness to
accomplish the great task ahead.
President Thompson of the East Branch
stated that nothing we gain can really
be appreciated without working for it.
He compared it with our testimonies.
Sister Edna Smith, District Relief So
ciety President, said it would have been
impossible to obtain the land but for
prayers, and it would take more prayers
along with hard work to complete the
building project. She said the Relief
Society would be so happy to have a
lovely new place to meet.
President Bernard Brockbank thanked
the city for planning such a beautiful
city and making it possible from our
Church to secure such a suitable and
beautiful site. He said, We must live
our religion seven days a week and
sacrifice all that is necessary for the
upbuilding o f the kingdom.
Elder George Hansen, Supervisor of
Construction, felt it was a great honor
and privilege to be called to represent
the Church, and supervise the building.
He felt the presence of God, as did all
who were present. He said he would
guide the work along under the guid
ance of our Heavenly Father, and we
should be prayerful and humble.
President William Black, District Presi
dent, was overjoyed that after so many
years waiting, the time was finally
here and the Saints could dig roots and
become a real part o f Aberdeen.
The closing song The World Has Need
Of Willing Menwas sung by all; after
which the benediction was offered by
President Thomas Thompson of the
Central Branch.
Ground was broken by Presidents Black,
Smith, Sullivan and Thompson.
15
 Bri t i s h Area S e mi - An n u a l Bu
The Hayes Conference Cer
September 1
And think not to say within yourselves, V
unto you, that G od is able of these stones 1
3 : 9). Some time ago a representative c
When they were required, G od would r
build chapels necessary to house the Saint
prophecy at our Church Building Missiot
President Grant S. Thorn of the North
Missionaries who had been members o f t
their hands. Nearly one-third of the han

Office Staff

President Thorn then asked for a show <

Church for two year or less, and over half
hands. It was also learned that several oi
visors have been members for as little as
raising up Church Building Missionaries to
What a thrill it is to partake of each other!
in mind, to build up the physical kingdom
Included were 47 Supervisors and their wu
dents and wives, 140 Church Building M|
representing the Church Building Commit,
o f the Scandinavian Area, and Elder and
Area.
What a thrill it is to partake of each oth(
return to our labors with renewed determ.
May we once again say thanks to all who
members of the European Area Staff fc
capably this conference.
Area I Elder E. V. Stirling, Supervisor

16
lding Mi s s i o n a r y C o n f e r e n c e
ter, Swanwick, Derbyshire
.-14, 1962

: have Abraham to our father; for I say

raise up children unto Abraham(Matt,
the Prophet made the statement that
se up Church Building Missionaries to
We saw the literal fulfillment o f this
ry Conference held at Derbyshire,
ast British Mission, asked the Building
? Church for one year or less, to raise
5 of the 140 Missionaries were raised.

Area II Elder George B. Ogden, Supervisor

hands of those who had been in the

3f the Building Missionaries raised their
the Church Building Missionary Super-
four years. Surely the Lord is literally
iccomplish His purposes,
spirit to develop our testimonies and
of our Father in Heaven.
s and families, Mission and Stake Presi-
ionaries, President George R. Biesinger
e, Elder and Sister E. Albert Rosenvall
Sister Frank C. Berg of the Germanic

s spirit to develop our testimonies and

ation to do the will of Our Father.
participated with a special thanks to
their tireless efforts in organizing so

J. Neil Bradley Area III Wesley Carter, Supervisor

17
 Those in attendance at Conference
BRITISH AREA
Church B u ildin g M issionary C on feren ce
On September 11-14, 1962, the third Church Building Mis
sionary Conference was held at he Hayes Conference
Center, Swanwick, Derbyshire, under the direction of
Elder J. Neil Bradley, British Area Construction Super
visor. As guests of this conference we were privileged to
have President and Sister Grant S. Thome, President and
Sister A. Ray Curtis, President and Sister Stephen R.
Covey, President George R. Biesinger, President and Sister
E. Albert Rosenvall, President and Sister Frank C. Berg,
Elder and Sister Haydn Andrew, Elder and Sister Lewis W.
Moore, President and Sister Kenneth J. Poole, President and
Sister Dennis Livesey, President William Bates, President
Archibald Richardson, President Derek Cuthbert and Pre
sident and Sister Frank Holland.
Supervisors and their families and Building Missionaries
arrived by bus and were assigned to their rooms. After a
lovely dinner, we gathered in the Conference Hall where
the talents o f the Building Missionaries were displayed with
Elder Stanford W. Bird acting as Master of Ceremonies.
Sister Elsie Wortleys account of this evening
s entertainment
appears on page 25 of this issue.
The morning session o f Wednesday, September 12, 1962,
began at 9.15 A.M. with Elder J. Neil Bradley conducting
the meeting. Before the announcements he said how much
he had enjoyed the previous evening and how good it was
to be together at conference time. He expressed apologies
for those who were unable to be present and then welcomed
the members o f the Church Building Committee and Mis
sion and Stake Presidents.
Elder William George Streibel, Supervisor Beverly
Chapel, was the first speaker and set the spiritual theme for
the rest of the meetings. He spoke of the privilege we had
of meeting together at conference and how honored he was
to be the first speaker it was another great experience
for him to have on his mission. As he waited to begin his
18
talk he had looked over the hall and thought of the great
power and strength that was present and o f the wonderful
opportunities we have to teach the people. G od is with us
in any task we undertake and He uses us to accomplish His
purpose. Elder Streibel told of times when he thought he
would not be able to accomplish tasks on his own building
site and how the Lord always provided a way for him. He
told of how people, who are not members of the Church,
realize the things we have been called to do and if we can
do it, they are willing to give us a helping hand. He told
of one brother who, due to a war injury, was unable to take
any steps for many years. Through the help of the Lord
and the proselyting missionaries he was now able to go to
the Beverly site everyday and help by taking care of the
children, the saws, etc. He often fell down but always when
Elder Streibel helped him up he said he was all right. Even
when he fell on a pile of rubble and cut his hand he said,
Jesus Christ gave blood.It was things and people like this
that have helped Elder Streibel on his mission and he knows
the Lord is always with us to give help as we need it.
Malcolm Bolton, Building Missionary Leeds Chapel.
(Malcolm s complete talk will appear in the December Is
sue. Ed.)
Michael John Simpson, Building missionary Merthyr
Tydfil Chapel, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity
of being on a mission and how there is truth in the expres
sion he has heard many people say, This is the most won
derful work to do. Brother Simpson gave a special thanks
for the support of his family that are members of the Church
and the support his home branch has given him. His love
for his family is great and he feels that his mission would be
nothing without them and the principles of the Gospel they
had taught him. He then expressed his love for his second
father and mother (his Supervisor and wife, Elder and Sister
Austin H. Anderson) and how much he had grown to love
and understand them. They have been a great blessing to
him and he would be lost without them. He then told how
a young man had gone to the building site in Merthyr Tyd
fil and had told them they must be mad to do so much work
for only ten shillings a week. He thought they must be
nuts for digging for so long; however, when John sees
this young man downtown, he always speaks to him and
makes a fuss over him. He is grateful for the opportunity to
show his faith to someone outside of the Church and to
express his testimony of the Gospel.
Elder Marvin S. Harding, Supervisor Sunderland Chapel,
said it was a thrilling and humbling experience to partic
ipate in the Conference. As far as he was concerned we
could go home there and then and still be full. He reminded
us of Lehi when he gave counsel to his sons, Adam fell
that men might be, and men are that they might have joy.
Elder Harding stated that after working in many callings he
had learned to have patience, but that his mission was cer
tainly helping him to have still greater patience. He also
said that he knows he has had the opportunity of building
some of the Building Missionaries as he has had missionaries
thar have reformed their lives by accepting the Gospel. He
is grateful for his boys and said that if he had had the
privilege o f choosing those to work with him, he would cer
tainly choose the ones he had because they were chosen by
the Lord. And now they are trying to do what the Lord
has called them to do,he said. It is wonderful to take part
in the L ord s work and do the things we are all doing here.
We have a responsibility to be a standard to the Church and
to teach our missionaries the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Elder Robert Smithson, Supervisor Leeds Chapel, said
that before he came over to Great Britain someone remarked
to him that he was coming to Great Britain to build chapels
because a fourteen-year old boy went into the woods to
pray. Elder Smithson stated that he was grateful he has been
given four sons who are his Building Missionaries, and
for the great work they have done. He was also grateful for
all the youth that work on his building site. He had with him
a young lady who has put in 700 hours on the site. She has
ten brothers and sisters at home and her parents are not
members of the Church. She is only one of many who are
grateful for the opportunity given them to work on the buil-
ing. He expressed his appreciation for the brethren in Lon
don who are the brain behind the machine. He told how
Salt Lake City is concerned about the things we do and told
how he had written to Doris Taggart in Salt Lake and
told her of the youth and especially the young ladies who
help on the site. He said that these young people would be
the leaders of the future. He then bore testimony to the
truthfulness of the Gospel and prayed that we might all
work in harmony together and that the Lord would bless
us all.
Sister Margaret Tonge, Building Missionary Office
Staff, drew a parallel between the Church Building Mis
sionaries building the Kingdom here on earth and the orig
inal apostles whom Christ instructed to build the kingdom
and spread the Gospel. She recalled how Joseph Smith sent
missionaries from America to these shores and she thought
how happy these men would have felt to have seen the
group o f Building Missionaries present at the Conference.
The Saviour many times expressed the importance of at
titude. When a Missionary is called to serve the Lord he or
she does not sacrifice anything but gains something.Sister
Tonge bore testimony that the Building Program was truly
the work of the Lord.
President Frank C. Berg, Area Supervisor Germanic
Area, told the conference how the Building Program was
growing in the Germanic Area. He recalled how, prior to
his call to Germany, he read of plans to build a chapel in
Berlin, and he wondered how this could be because daily he
read of the trouble and strife in that city. Two days after he
arrived in Germany, he drove with President Biesinger to
Berlin and through the Corridor. We saw the barbed wire
along the sides no one could get through it without tear
ing himself to pieces. We saw the Wall and we saw some of
the memorials that had been placed there to honor those
who had lost their lives as they sought freedom and I again
wondered, Why do we come here to build for the Lord?
We then went to Tempelhof where we saw the Building
Program in progress. Because of wars Berlin is a city of
mainly old men and women; however, they were given the
chance to provide the missionaries necessary, and just the
previous week five missionaries had been called five out
of this city of old men and women.
President Moyle attended the Swiss Mission conference in
Zurich and he was asked about Berlin. He told how President
McKay had said that one day the Wall in Berlin would come
down and the people on the east side would one day have
the opportunity and privilege o f hearing the Gospel. That
is why a chapel is being built in Berlin. It is significant too
that most o f the young men on missions in Germany are
those who have come from the eastern section o f Berlin who
have had the faith and courage to escape. One young man
has a mother and sister behind the curtain and he had been
sending them money every month. He had a letter from his
mother instructing him to serve a mission if he had the op
portunity, and that she and her daughter would find ways
to provide for themselves. That young man is serving a
Building Mission.
Although people laugh and say that the missionaries are
working for nothing, this is a fallacy. Building Missionaries
are working for the greatest blessing in the world working
for the privilege of going back to the presence of our Father
in Heaven. This cannot be bought with money, only by
faith and devotion. It was President B erg s fervent hope
that the missionaries would serve to the upmost o f their
capacity, that they would love one another, that the Program
would go forward.
President E. Albert Rosenvall, Area Supervisor Scan
dinavian Area, brought greetings from the Building Mis
sionaries in the Scandinavian Area to those in Britain, and
stated that in his Area there were Finns, Swedes, Nor
wegians, Danes, Dutch, Belgians, French and Swiss Mis
sionaries. When they held their Building Conference in
Stockholm a few weeks ago, he saw the French boys walking
arm in arm with the Finns and the Dutch with the Swedes
and Norwegians. The language of the heart seemed to
bridge the gap over the language barrier. When the Finnish
boys left on their boat for home they shouted back the only
English words they knew, See you again!
President Rosenvall said that they have problems too in
their Area. He stated that they had two Building Super
visors working in Finland who did not know a word of the
Finnish language, and that they had a Building Supervisor
working in Belgium who spoke only English, and that he
had Dutch and French missionaries who spoke only their
19
native tongue, as his crew. But he stated, We are
making progress inspite o f these great handicaps.
He gave us an example o f the high caliber of. young men
and women who were responding to the call to be Building
Missionaries in his Area. He told o f a young man in H ol
land, twenty-nine years of age, unmarried, who was in char
ge of thirty employees in a large supermarket when he re
ceived his call to fill a Building Mission. He accepted his
call immediately, and upon resigning his position at the
supermarket was told that if he would stay they would put
him in as manager o f another branch store that they were
opening up soon. The young man did not hesitate he is
now serving a mission.
President Rosenvall told of the great need for buildings in
their Area, and said that in France they were baptizing
about 3,000 people each year and that there was only one
baptismal font in the whole country and not even one chapel.
He stated also that the people had received the Program with
great enthusiasm and were willing to make the sacrifices
necessary to have new chapels.
He also said that he felt that the greatest force in the world
today was the power of love: that true love would find a
way to overcome all obstacles and win the hearts of men
and women to the cause.
President Rosenvall concluded by saying that he felt that
the Building Program was an essential part of the L ord s recalled how, when Jesus was twelve years old, Mary and
plan to build up his Kingdom and that he thought it was a
most wonderful part because it gave the members of the
Church an opportunity to put into practice those things they
have been taught and to fulfill the covenants they have
made with the Lord.
President William Bates, Manchester Stake President, ex
pressed his love and appreciation for the Building Program
and though he realized that the building of chapels was hard
work, he told us to remember that the Lord said, In the
sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return
unto the ground.
He stated that Noah was instructed by the Lord to build a
boat and Moses was given specific instructions how to build
the tabernacle. Soloman, who became the wealthiest and
wisest man of the whole world, was given instructions to
build a temple. The Lord is the master-builder and He is
interested in the Building Program today just as He was in
Biblical days and it is vital that those in the Program are
sure in their hearts that it is the L ord
s work.
President Bates explained how it had taken seven years to
pay off a debt of .600 on the Wythenshawe chapel,
but when the Wythenshawe extension project was completed
in the building Program, 13,000 hours had been contributed
besides that of the missionaries and there was still 450 to
be paid off before dedication by President Moyle the fol
lowing week. The bishop and his counselors visited the
members to try and raise the money and by the weekend
they had what they needed. It was a miracle and a testimony
that the Lord is truly watching over the Program. There
are other miracles taking place. A boy was called on
a Building Mission from the Manchester Stake who had to
attend a doctor regularly. During his mission he has ex
perienced no illness and has grown physically as well as
spiritually.
President Archibald R. Richardson, Glasgow Stake Pre
sident, in addressing the conference remarked that when he
first heard of the Building Missionary Program, he and
many others were dubious as to its success and wondered
20
how anyone could ask young men to give two years of
their lives for 10 shillings a week. Maybe it worked in
New Zealand but here the unions would never allow it.
How are the branch members to provide 20 % o f the cost?
Others had this thought too, and he said he wished that
they could all be present at the conference to see the prog
ress that had been made. It made him think of a scripture
from the Book of Alma, (32: 27) But behold, if ye will
awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment
upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even
if. ye can do no more than desire to believe, let this desire
work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can
give place for a portion of my words.
This is the L ord s Program, President Richardson stated.
However to build chapels is not the goal; to organize stakes
is not the goal; nor to have the best mission in the Church
is not the goal. The goal is to save souls, bringing them
back to the presence of our Father in Heaven. Church
members must work with new converts to the Church who
have only a particle of faith. Many people have been dis
couraged by the inadequate meetinghouses in which services
were held before the Building Program began.
No Building Missionary should ever wonder what his duty
is. His duty is to represent the Lord. Troubles begin when
people are only concerned about self.President Richardson
Joseph returned to Jerusalem to look for him when they
found that he was not with them on their journey. In reply
to his m other s questions, Jesus said, Wist ye not that I
must be about my Father s business?
If a person goes into business for himself he does not
spare himself to make the business pay and he forgets him
self and loses himself in the work. If the Building Mis
sionaries are able to forget self on their missions, they well
have their reward and the Building Program will progress,
and they will be working to save souls,President Richard
son stated.
He concluded by saying he could see that the boys he had
called on Building Missions had grown and developed into
men and he prayed that they would always do their best to
keep the goal of the Building Missionary Program in mind.
President Grant S. Thorn, North East British Mission Pre
sident, stated in his remarks, The beauty of a Building
M issionary s testimony is that it can be seen in his hands.
Just see the callouses on his hands and you can see he has a
strong testimony of the Church and the Gospel. You can t
see that in a proselyting missionary and this is something
significant. It is something that is real and basic in life and
human nature. You must work for that which you have and
enjoy.
President Thorn quoted a statement he had once read, One
is never lazy when one is doing what one likes to do.So,
he said, the moral of this is to avoid being lazy, then
learn to like that which you have to do. You cannot give
to someone else that which you do not feel yourself.
President Thorn asked for a show of hands of those present
who had joined the Church within the last two and one-
half years, and also of those whose parents were not members
of the Church. About one-half of the missionaries were
converts during 1960, 61 and 62, and more than this per
centage raised their hands in answer to the second question.
This was especially significant to President Thom as he
thought of the influence the Building Missionaries must be
having on their non-member families. President Thorn re
lated a story of how an eleven year-old boy became a mem-
ber of the Church and eventually his parents were baptized
after repeated efforts by the missionaries. One of these
missionaries on being asked by the boy s father why they
continued to call on him, said, Because I love you.This,
to President Thom, seemed to be the theme of the Build
ing Missionary conference.
He further stated, Church Building Missionaries are literal
ly builders o f the Kingdom, and the Building Program is the
work of the Lord. Those who are called should always re
spond because the call is from the Lord. You are an example
to the proselyting missionaries. G od bless you as you go
forth.
President Kenneth J. Poole, Leicester Stake President, point
ed out in his remarks the need and the value of discipline
and self-discipline, and the importance o f recognising the
authority of Supervisors and those who lead the Building
Program. They seek and desire the welfare of the mis
sionaries. Everyone would like to change his or her circum
stances the only difficulty is that few want to alter their
attitudes, or in other words, people want to change, but not
themselves. Inasmuch as boys go out from the wards and
branches to serve Building Missions, the Presidents of the
stakes and missions anticipate men returning of mental,
physical and intellectual stature to direct the affairs of the
wards and branches and of the stakes and missions.
When Christ told Nicodemus, Except a man be born of
water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom
of G odhe did not mean by that one act he would enter the
Kingdom. By that one act Nicodemus was accepting cer
tain principles and changes in his life. He was to be born
again. Christ was suggesting to Nicodemus that he should
be continually adjusting his life and giving birth to ideals,
new virtues, new points of character, new decisions, and
honest integrity. Paul, as Saul, on his way to Damascus
saw a light and heard a voice and made a decision. Saul
altered his attitude, just as we have to do every day and
it is a case of making up one s mind.
Make the adjustment and the decision to alter attitudes
towards life, self and standards. Meet the challenge of life
and the privilege o f working in the Church because it is
only by working in the Church that real happiness is ob
tained and that degree o f manhood and womanhood is ob
tained that will allow us to go through the Temple and draw
close to our Father in Heaven and reap the reward that will
come to us all if we reach and maintain such a standard of
living.
President Poole said he was grateful for the example the
Building Missionaries were setting and for the work they
were doing in the Building Program and looked forward to
the day when he could welcome men of stature, as a result
of the Building Program, back into his wards and branches.
President Stephen R. Covey, Irish Mission President, stated,
T o me, this conference is a miracle: in fact, I consider it
a miracle far greater than any miracle we read about such
as a healing, the raising of someone from the dead, or even
a revelation, because the kind of thing that President Poole
just spoke about is the kind of thing that is taking place in
this program. It is the miracle of life; the greatest miracle,
because it is entirely consistent with the sacred purpose of
life. This purpose of life was revealed to the Prophet Joseph
Smith, the great revelation which Moses received many dis
pensations before, when the Lord said, For behold, this is
my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality
and eternal life of man.
He outlined in clear and unmistakable language what the
purpose of life is, to bring to pass the immortality and
eternal life of man.This can be summed up in one word
growth. Human growth is the objective and design of every
principle, doctrine, ordinance and organization of this, the
restored Church, and that is the greatest of all miracles.
A meeting such as this, merely gives us time to stop and
look on that miracle and gain a perspective of what is
happening and to express our gratitude for that miracle, as
we see that growth and the significance of our life and its
meaning. We feel that significance, and that is why this
meeting is a miracle, but to me it is not the greatest mir
acle. The greatest miracle will take place on Friday when
we return and begin work again the hammering and the
shoveling and the digging or whatever it may be that is
the real miracle because that is the process of life. That is
the kind of thing President Poole spoke about.
Grow a little at a time; line upon line, precept upon pre
cept. It would be easy if there were a shortcut, but there is no
other way to growth but to reach far higher. It could be
compared with the physical, mental and intellectual growth
of an individual. I cannot do fifty push-ups now, but if you
give me two months I will be able to do so. I need those two
months to practice. If I do not take those two months then
I will feel worthless and condemn myself. My fellow man
might be able to do fifty push-ups right now and I can use
that example to make myself feel worthless and destroy my
desire. I think there is a parallel in all kinds of growth. The
Saviour said to Nicodemus:
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom
o f God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be
born when he is old? can he enter the second time into
his m other s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee. Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that
which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I
said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth
where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but
canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth; so
is every one that is born of the Spirit.(John 3 : 6).
It is the gradual changing of a human life little by little
from one of selfishness to one of selflessness; from one of
unkindness to one of kindness; from one of impatience to
one of patience, kindness, reverence, love.
The wind bloweth
where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof.The
change is gradual but nevertheless vital and real in a very
real sense. Therefore, the great vision which Paul received
on the road to Damascus was not the miracle o f what took
place there, but the miracle took place after the vision. The
vision put him on the path and then he began to work out
all that was within him and gradually became Paul the
Apostle who wrote the beautiful epistles that we study in
our scriptures.
I think that the message, the concept, is that growth is
slow and gradual and cannot be pushed and it takes place
every day and takes place with the little things: holding
on es temper, withstanding a little more temptation it is
the true process of a second birth. Perhaps the birth took
place with baptism but the true process goes on after bap
tism.
I remember about nine years ago this month, I was cal
led on a mission and it was a wonderful thing some
thing I had looked forward to for many years. My friends
and parents were happy and proud and I was representing
my ward. I had a farewell a wonderful farewell very
21
inspiring eulogising, in a sense, me, and I felt good. I
was representing my ward, stake and Church, the country
and the Lord. There was a great thing taking place in the
world and I was taking part in it and I went out with high
and lofty ideas in mind, filled with the desire and spirit to
do the work, and I arrived inspired, almost exalted el
evated.
The first day I landed in Ireland I got off the boat to a
bleak, dreary, rainy, dark day. My companion met me. He
came from an altogether different background. He didn t The real source of one s actions lies in on e
give me any warmth or friendship or sense of belonging. I
shook his hand and he just about put a scripture card in it
and I walked along behind him. I just tagged along I
helped carry his books. We put my suitcase in the digs
in an old dilapidated building and I was told it was the
best church house in Ireland which is still the best until
next spring when Elder James finishes his. We went to the
train station with no communication. He was distant and
was studying the scriptures and I didn t care about the
scriptures. I thought about all the things I had left. I just
proceeded to Portadown, walked about a mile, rented a
bicycle, knocked on many doors and had them slammed in
my face there was no communication between me and
the people. What had happened to all my great idealism?
But then the miracle began, not at the exalting moment
that merely gives inspiration and gratitude. I felt the same
when we had a farewell for one o f our own Building Mis
sionaries. He, and everyone, was proud that he was re
presenting the branch and the Irish Mission, and happy and
thrilled. Now he has come to this wonderful conference and
then on Friday he will probably be in a hole digging, and
then the next Friday the same hole but a little larger.
This process will continue and he will be working with
people like himself imperfect, with human failings and
weaknesses and at times there will be troubles and he will
wonder W hat s the use?And then at times he will regain,
at study classes or conference, that same spirit. But the
real miracle in life takes place apart from these kinds of
meetings. This is an inspiration to service, not a substitute
for it. Religion can often be substituted for service if self
ishly used. It can be a tranquilizer that gives an individual
a sense that T have done som ething . Where true religion is,
it is manifested by your work. True religion begins on Friday
and on Monday morning after the Sabbath services when
the little decisions and little actions are taken
that is the
greatest miracle of life and I am thrilled to see what is going
on. It is hard to imagine a group of people dedicated to such
a task in such magnitude the greatest Program that has
ever come to this country, and I love it with all my heart
and am grateful for this conference and for what is really
happening in this country.
You know, the basic value of this Program is the respect
for the human being. I will always hope that all of us who
participate in this great Program will be inspired with that
vision, that everything is geared to the development of the
individual to enhance his capacity for growth. I hope with
all my heart that love will be the dominating force and the
dominating influence in all our relations. True love manifest
ing forgiveness and kindness. How many times do I have
to forgive him?Forgive him. But then I forgive him and
he does it again.Forgive him. But he doesn t respect
authority.Forgive him. How many times shall I forgive?
Seventy times seven. G o the second mile. Return good for
evil. D on t let the mood of the other change your mood.
Your m ood can change his. One of the greatest psychol
22
ogists by the name of William James said The greatest
single discovery of my generation is that man can change his
circumstances by the change o f his attitudes.
A Quaker and his friend bought a newspaper from a
newspaperman every morning and the frien d s greeting was
always ignored by the newspaperman. The Quaker said to
his friend.
Why do you continue to be polite to him?And
the friend said,
Why not? Why should I let him decide how
I am going to act for the rest of the day?
s inner feeling,
and the truest and highest quality of love is the desire to
love the unloveable your fellow workman this man
whose behaviour is so obnoxious you can t stand it any
longer. The one who needs love most is the one who thinks
he doesn t need it. Accept and love that individual as he is.
Take that individual on your job with whom you don t get
along too well, and try to see in him the unique qualities
of his own human nature. He is a human being and a child
of God. Respect that in him. Even if you only desire to
tolerate him, just for a moment look at him again, and let
that good grow and swell within you. Begin to treat him
that way and you will be able to see the development of a
real rich friendship and your work will be much more ef
fective.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or
a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of proph
ecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge;
and though I have all faith, so that I could remove moun
tains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I
bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give
my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth
me nothing.(1 Cor. 13 : 1 3).
It is possible to literally go into the Building Missionary
Program and sacrifice all you have and perhaps not have
love. Though I give my body to be burned...How do I
achieve that kind of love? First get a close and intimate re
lationship with the living Saviour, the living Christ, so that
you can feast upon his love for you, and that love in you
will develop a love for your fellowman. Feast upon a re
spect for your own human worth and everything you look
at, and everything you touch, and let that grow into you
until you reach higher levels and until you become a par
taker of the truth. That is the power and influence of love.
Let me close with a quotation from a good author, Shake
speare, on the influence and power of love. Use your im
agination now in seeing this individual this Building
Missionary.
When in disgrace with Fortune and m en s eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself, and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featur d like him, like him with friends possess d,
Desiring this man s art, and that mans scope.
With what I most enjoyed contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost dispising.
Haply I think on thee, and then my state.
Like to the Lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven s gate;
For thy sweet love rem em b red such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
If parents, missionaries and Supervisors would realize this
and feel love fully for another human being, then that sweet
love remembered would bring such wealth that then you
would scorn to change your state with kings
. Australia and tell me your results.We got halfway around
Born to me from the Spirit of the Living God, I know
this Gospel is true and Joseph Smith saw the Father and
the Son in open vision and the power of G od is manifest
in the British Isles. May G od bless us with that vision and
to act upon it.
President George R. Biesinger
President George R. Biesinger, Church Building Commit
tee representative said. I could not help but think when
President Covey was talking about doing push-ups, that we
have done a little exercise ourselves to develop this Program
thus far. I cannot help but think back a couple of years
when, with Elder and Sister Baird we had assembled our
selves in a room in their home. We had two Building Mis
sionaries then: Elder Sparks had come and Elder Bradley.
Also two or three members of our staff. A pretty small be
ginning. Then when I look over this gathering of dedicated
men and women, it gives me a thrill and I can see someone
has been doing some push-ups.
The Church Building Program as we know it now, had its
beginning in Tonga, a palm fringed coral island, where peo
ple had no money of any nature, but could give us their
services. Food was supplied by the Relief Society and they
built temporary housing. This was sixteen years ago. Then
it went to Samoa and to New Zealand where the Program
expanded considerably. Since that time our Building Mis
sionary Program has gone into Australia, Japan, China,
Korea, into the Western States of the United States, Mexico
and South America. It has expanded greatly and we have
requests from everywhere for this Program. Stake presidents
have com e to Salt Lake asking for it, and you are pioneers
as were those in Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand.
I feel very firmly that we are laying the ground work for
a much greater Program. We still have a lot of develop
ment to do as we take this Program into a much larger
area an area that could encompass the entire organ
ization of the Church.
When we were in New Zealand talking with President M c
Kay and President Mendenhall regarding our Program
down there, we were asking when a Temple could be
built.
President McKay said, D o you mean to tell me that
after building a church and school, you could still ask the
people to produce another 100 missionaries and build a
temple?I said Certainly President McKay. They will do
it.And he said, Then they will have a temple. I will give
you a special assignment. I want you to travel to every
district and ask for their support. I want you to call me in
the districts and had to stop and contact the President be
cause of what had happened. We had over 200 names of
men leaders of the mission who had volunteered and
wanted to come and work on the temple. The mission pres
ident and everybody else wanted to build the temple. It was
permeating the whole mission. This was the way the people
accepted the Program!
On another occasion President McKay said, You know,
Elder Biesinger, I would not be surprised to find that we
are developing now a means whereby we will build the
kingdom in the last days. You are training some mighty
fine strong young men and women strong not only in the
trades but in a knowledge of the Gospel.
At another time I was with President Mendenhall when he
said to President McKay, Yes, President McKay. If you
want to build Jackson County with this Program, you give
us a week or two and we will put 1,000 Polynesians on
the streets of Salt Lake City ready to go to work.Now
this was many years ago. Many hundreds have gone
through the Program since then, learning trades and devel
oping a testimony. Now we know the kingdom is to be
built spiritually and physically and we have a wonderful
force for the development o f the kingdom of the Lord.
I had a wonderful experience a couple of weeks ago when
President McKay came here to establish the stake in Glas
gow. After he had completed this I met with him at his
hotel in London. My wife and I had a couple of hours with
him. He would not let us go. He wanted to hear about
everything and he listened until they came to take him to
his plane. He was so interested and so enthused about the
Program. I told him how your people were accepting the
Building Program in this land, and I told him of your ded
ication to the work and how you had proved worthy to be
called into service. I gave him a brief report of. the work
and the progress that was going on. The report was nearly
100 chapels under construction. I told him we had 180 mis
sionaries; that we had 66 supervisors from overseas
and 19 staff members in our offices and that we
were working on a 17 million dollars budget. We discussed
the budget to be established for the next year s operation.
It is far greater than this year
s.
We are growing to large numbers. I have been thrilled
with the speakers today. Their speeches have all been of
real value to me. I am a little concerned with one thing
it may be the last time we will meet together because we are
getting so large and facilities to house a group this large
will be difficult to find.
As we visit various projects it is a thrill to see the de
velopment of the Program. It was a thrill to hear Elder
Berg tell the story about Berlin. Just a couple o f weeks ago
we saw how the Program had been accepted throughout the
Scandinavian Area and we realize we are all working for
the same purpose. I have heard mission presidents, bishops,
branch presidents, even some o f the General Authorities of
the Church say, You are not in New Zealand now, Brother
Biesinger, and it will not work in the British Isles, Germany,
Sweden. The Frenchmen will never go along with this Pro
gram. You are not in New Zealand now.But I know this is
the L ords work and all we need is devotion in our hearts.
The Lord will open the way for us to accomplish great
things.
We could spend many hours telling you stories o f how
the Lord has opened paths for us; how city councils now
23
call us and tell us, We are opening up a new area, would
you like to build there?when a year ago we would have
been thrown out by the same city council. Yes, things are
opening up for us. We have gone into areas where they
have said, You cannot work any donated labor here. They
have the strongest union in the country and the unions have
advised us against building a chapel because of the feelings
of the unions against the Mormons.Yet we are putting a
roof on that building! We have been into areas in Germany,
where they said, You cannot build with donated labor. You
can sweep up and that is all.And right now we have our
own electricians and carpenters on the job. This is being
repeated time and time again. We do not have any buildings
that are not being built under the Building Missionary Pro
gram as you know it. We could not have said that a few
months ago.
It is the Program of the Lord and there is no part of it
that the First Presidency is not kept well acquainted with.
We do not make any moves or expend any funds without
authorization from the Expenditure Committee of the
Church which is under the direction of the First Presidency.
Our plans are all approved as we follow a pattern which has
been set up in the organization of the Church. Whenever
we follow that pattern we find we have success and a good
spirit and feeling.
I have a testimony that we are engaged in the work of the
Lord. I rejoice in the years I have spent in this Program.
We have knelt in prayer with the missionaries. We have
rejoiced together in our success. We have shed tears to
gether at some of our failures. We have shed tears together
in our joy. We have felt this so greatly because we have
been building the kingdom of the Lord. I have knelt down
in prayer with the General Authorities and knelt down with
them on the temple site. I have heard their testimonies, I
have felt their spirit. I have shaken hands with thousands of
young men and women devoted and dedicated to building
the Kingdom of the Lord. When you see their eyes you
cannot help but build a testimony. I know we are engaged
in the work of the Lord. I have proven it so many times to
myself. I know it is because of that boy who went and o f
fered up the prayer in the sacred grove. I know we are
following the Leadership that has been established by the
Lord.
I bear you my testimony and pray that in your work you
will develop the testimonies that are necessary to do this
work.
Sister Covey, wife of President Stephen R. Covey of
the Irish Mission, thrilled us all as she sang How Lovely
Are Thy Dwellingsaccompanied by Ruth Lassig.
After dinner, we were invited to attend a picture show and
then a dance at the Conference Hall.
Thursday morning was truly inspiring as Supervisors and
Missionaries stood in line to bear their testimonies to the
truthfulness of the Gospel and of the God-inspired Build
ing Program and what it has done to change their lives.
In the afternoon a business meeting was held for all Su
pervisors under the following different departments: Archi
tects, Elder Steven Baird; Accounting, Elder Lewis Moore
and Elder Frank Holland; Furnishing, Elder James Dennis
and Elder Haydn Andrew; Construction, Elders Neil Brad
ley, A.V. Stirling, Wesley Carter and George Ogden.
During the same afternoon hours, which turned out fine
24
after two wet days, the Building Missionaries took part in
a sports program organized by Elder Stanford Bird.
There were opportunities for them to excel in strength,
agility and teamwork. The three contests were run on the
knock-out principle so that each building crew could enter
a representative in every event.
There were twenty-four entries in the sack race, over ap
proximately seventy-five yards. There were some close
finishes and, in fact, one race between West Hartlepool
and Ayr had to be run three times. The final result was
a win for Ian Wilkinson of the Crawley crew, closely fol
lowed by the Liverpool representative.
The Indian wrestle contest proved a great tussle o f strength
for the boys. Each contest was decided on the basis of three
bouts and many of them were only decided on the third bout.
From the twenty-eight entries, representatives from Dews
bury, Leeds, Southend and Merthyr reached the semi-finals
and Heffin Jones o f the Merthyr crew was the eventual
winner.
Teamwork was seen at its best in the three-legged race.
Some crews had obviously practiced well and there were
some close finishes. The finalists were Derby and North
ampton and the winning team was from the Derby crew.
Prizes were presented to the winners of the three contests
at the conclusion of a fine afternoon of competitive spirit
and goodwill.
The wives of the Supervisors and the mission and stake
presidentswives enjoyed a business meeting under the di
rection o f Sister Edythe Bradley. Talks were given by
Sisters Gwynn Curtis, Bea Berg, and Pearl Moore. As the
women were told of the division of the group into three
areas, talks were given by the women in charge o f these
three as follows: Area 1, Gladys Stirling; Area 2, Elma
Ogden, and Area 3, Mary Carter. The remainder of the
meeting was turned over to problems connected with the
Builder with Sister Vernice Rosenvall in charge. Much was
gained from this meeting.
At the dinner in the evening, we were privileged to have
as our speakers, President A. Ray Curtis, President Derek
Cuthbert, President Frank Holland, and President George
Biesinger. The conference concluded at 8:30 that evening.
After visiting with their friends, the Supervisors decided to
retire to their rooms but found the passage blocked with
Building Missionaries having a party which turned out to be
a very delightful affair. Because the Scotland people were
too late for the talent show the first night, they decided
they didn t want to go home without having performed
their skit. Others also displayed their talents. These Build
ing Missionaries, who know how to have fun in such a
clean and enjoyable way, touched the hearts of each Su
pervisor and his wife in a manner that they will always
remember. (Turn to page 25-26).
The singing for the conference was led by Stanford Bird
with Ruth Lassig at the piano.
Thanks is expressed to all who in any way contributed to
make this conference the success it was. A special thanks
goes to the office staff who arranged the various phases of
the conference, to the secretaries who did such an excellent
job and to the Hayes Conference Center for letting us use
their fine accomodations.

REPORTS FROM T H E PRO JECTS
From Sister Elsie Wortley - Rochdale, England
The Reading Crew was first to appear
on the traditional fun program o f the
opening night of the conference. The
clever presentation of Laddie Rat Rot-
tenhut was highly amusing. However,
all were expecting the hunters to rescue
Rat Rottenhut as they did Red Riding-
hood, but alas! She was gobbled up.
Hope all the girls present will heed the
admonition D on t talk to strang The Sunderland boys can really har
ers!
The Rochdale lads, in A Feat of
Strength, demonstrated good boxing.
What a fight. (Take that whichever
way you like.) It is evident that work
ing on the building site has developed
muscle power.
The talented performance of Alan
Kennington from Leeds gave us all a
vivid picture o f the habits, dress, in
dustries, and amusements of the town
of Bellham. Expert costume changes
made the act live. It was truly a good
one-man show.
The Liverpool Sisters really touched
our hearts! Their tone quality was ex
ceptional, their costuming effective, and
their make-up professional. Never mind,
dear Sisters, no one but you missed the
piano.
In an amusing Fashion Show, Manches-
ter lads showed us what not to wear.
The white wool, well-fitting under-gar
ment gave us all ideas for our winter
wardrobe. The blue shorts to brighten
up a gloomy morningwere bewitching.
But the new style for Missionarywith
accent on ventilation will be a real help
to bishops and branch presidents who
are responsible for clothing on the boys.
monize as was evident as they sang In
My Father s House Are Many Man
sionsand Building Missionary Blues.
Their secret ambitions were revealed as
they smeared the faces of their com
panions with pastries.
In a clever melodrama, Merthyr Tyd-
fill portrayed the tragic situation of
one unable to pay the mortgage on a
cow. M other
s Delema was overcome
promptly when mother met her oppres
sor with a gun.
Lazy Riversung well by the Crawley
crew was entertaining, but Team
Work was both entertaining and in
spirational. They impressed us all with
the idea that If you haven t got team
work, you have no team.
Every Supervisor who has had to
practice patience and wait when time
is a premium while a group have their
cup of tea, really enjoyed the presenta
tion of the Belfast group. The British
Workingman looked so much like the
American Forty-Niner.
We really did hear Bible Stories as
we d never heard before when South-
end sang the Mormon Sunday School
Song. The rendition was very good
and the guitar accompaniment really
well done.
The Young One from Nottingham
held his own well with a background
of rhythmical gyrations by three rough
and ready Building Missionaries.
It
s really something when Building
Missionaries can sing about getting up
at six o clock in the morning, about
doing hard work, and still call it fun.
That is just what the Norwich lads did.
Supervisor Stewart certainly has in
spired his boys to aim high since they
want to go to a rocket base and shoot
their Supervisor into outer space.
The climax of the program was a well-
done Greek tragedy presented by the
Building Missionary Office Crew. The
chorus supplied the rhythmical back
ground as the actors, in poetic dia
logue, carried the tragedy to the typical
old Greek ending a stage floor cov
ered with corpses.
Opening and closing prayers were of
fered by Elders Myron Neuffer and
Maurice Moore. The two buses from
Scotland were late arriving, but all
were soon fed and put to bed.

From Sister Janie de Jel - Romford, England

We were off to the Building Missionary Conference at
Derby after having looked forward to it for weeks. The
thought of getting together with other Supervisors, their
families and other Building Missionaries was a happy one.
After the hard work put in by our boys plus the busy life
we ourselves lead, it seemed like a pleasant interlude, which
it indeed proved to be.
Tuesday at 4:15 A.M. we woke up to cloudy skies that
soon released their moisture, but nothing can ever dampen
the spirits of the Saints at conference time and the rain
made the beautiful English countryside look even lovelier.
England with its rolling hills, green meadows, trees, beau
tiful flowers and lovely homes is really delightful to behold.
Nothing is quite as much fun as a bus load o f Mormons
going to conference. The spirit of it is hard to match. We
boarded the coach at Southend and picked up other crews
at Cambridge and Ipswich.
The Conference Center turned out to be a beautiful old Eng
lish estate surrounded by the loveliest grounds I have ever
seen. The Hayes Center swallowed us all up in her spacious
halls and different lounges.
How wonderful it was to greet old friends and then go to our
rooms to refresh ourselves after the ten hour trip quaint
rooms reminding us of our early childhood with big china
washbowls and pitchers of cold water. Dinner together in the
huge dining hall was truly a pleasant affair as were all the
good meals that followed. It was delightful to hear the merry
chatter o f happy people having a good time; then the hush,
when the blessing was asked on the food, and later when
thanks was given for all G od s goodness.
The marvelous meetings, fine instructions, the testimonies
given by our young Missionaries who literally lined up
for their turn to express their love and appreciation to the
good people they associate with it was truly inspiring and
many a tear was wiped away unashamedly, myself included.
Then the talents those young boys displayed, not only the
first evening, when some delightful skits were presented, but
later. After the last dinner Thursday and some last minute
visiting with friends, we wanted to retire to our quarters,
we found all passage blocked by happy youngsters having
a party, and what a party it was! England s youth was
at its best. We were offered chairs, bottles of pop, and sat
down to a totally unexpected, delightful time. There was
singing, guitar and mouth organ playing and some of the
cleverest skits were put on by some very talented boys. A
bit of good natured fun poked at the Supervisors, brought
the house down. The Supervisors retaliated with a presen
tation of She ll Be Coming Round The Mountain When
She Com eswith huge success.
After some hymn singing and prayer, everyone retired
a bit later than curfrew time, but orderly and pleasant.
The memory o f this conference will linger in our hearts
and our sincere gratitude goes to the men who made it all
possible. G od bless them all.

25
From Brother Gordon Edwards - Epsom, England
On Thursday evening, the 13th of September, 1962, at
approximately 9:00 P.M. there occurred an event which
affected the lives of nearly 100 people. What started out as
a small farewell party between a few o f the Church Building
Missionaries, turned out to be a gigantic spiritual feast
which was enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to be in
attendance.
No words can describe the beauty of the evening as unre
hearsed, a group of people gave of their best in a spon
taneous variety show. It is impossible to site all those who
took part, but on looking back one can readily recall the
dance competition with a bottle of orange as the first prize
(which we were assured was obtained at much trouble and
expense); the fine duet by two young men and their guitars,
strumming out the Mormon Sunday School Songwith the
persistant interference o f an unnamed Welsh bongo player;
the wonderful way in which many Supervisors on their way
From Sister Eunice G. Jensen - Northampton, England
The dinner, on the evening of September 14, 1962, seemed
a fitting climax to the British Isles Church Building Mis
sionary Conference. We received food not only for the body,
but for the soul with inspiration from our mission presidents,
counsel and encouragement from President Biesinger and
Elder Bradley, and words of wisdom from other leaders.
We lingered in the foyer and halls of the building to bid
goodby to our associates and as the evening wore on, de
cided to retire early to be in shape for our return trip on the
morrow.
As we neared the door of the building in which we had
sleeping quarters, we heard singing. We had been too busy
visiting to notice the absence of the young folks in the halls
of the other building. There they were packed as tight
as sardines in a can sitting on the floor, the stairs, and
leaning against the walls in the small foyer. And were they
having fun! The center of attraction was a young Irish boy
who ably held the postion of Master of Ceremonies.
He announced one number after another, and with eagerness
each participated. Songs, speeches, recitations, imperson
ations, stunts, and instrumental numbers, spiced together
with jokes and jingles. The English cracked jokes on the
Scotch, the Scotch on the Irish, and the Welch on the
English. Each sang their favorite song and all joined in on
the chorus those who did not know the words hummed
the tune. If the singing got a little loud, or it looked like the
party might become a little boisterous, the master.of cer
emonies would raise both arms and say, Brethren, remem
ber who we are, where we are, and what we are,and per
fect order was quickly restored.
By this time quite a number of the Supervisors and their
wives had entered the door. While we realized that we were
uninvited guests we were a little glad that we could not
get through to our rooms this was too good to miss. The
MC suggested, very respectfully, that they would like to
26
to bed were shanghied and instructed to provide a morsel of
entertainment which morsel became a wonderful highlight;
the oscar winning performance by one Brother Kennington
as he protrayed a saga of a modern day Rom eo and Juliet;
then a change of tempo as we listened to a sweet duet by
Brother and Sister Jensen which was followed by community
hymn singing. The evening came to a close as 100 tightly
packed people knelt together and listened to a very choice
prayer uttered by Elder Smithson of Dewsbury, punctuated
occasionally by a stiffled sob, as the spirit of G od touched
all hearts.
We are grateful to the Lord, not only for that memorable
evening, but also for the efforts of Brother Brian Ditty,
who organized the party, and proved a perfect host and
Master of Ceremonies. It was a night which excelled all
others, and will long remain in our memories.
have a number from ...our beloved Supervisors, who con
stitute... the very broken back-bone o f the Church. The
Supervisors rose to the occasion and after a short huddle
they rendered the selections Be Kind To Your Web-Footed
Friends and Shell Be Coming Round The Mountain,
which brought loud applause from the young people.
We noticed that they were all beginning to watch the clock
it seems they had promised Elder Bradley that they would
close their little get-together at 10:30. Half hour before it
was time, when the gayety was at it s height, someone said,
We must sing a few hymns before we close.Never have
I seen such a quick change from joviality to solemnity.
The jokes and fun songs ceased, and all joined in one chorus,
reverently singing Come, Com e Ye Saints, which was
followed by Oh My Fatherand several other of our most
sccred Latter-Day Saint hymns.
As we looked over this group of young British Missionaries,
the girls from the London office who had responded to Mis
sion calls and the young Americans who were on missions
with their parents, we recognized the leaders of tomorrow.
As they sang the last hymn G od Be With You T ill We
Meet Again, many of their eyes were filled with tears.
Some even sobbed a little as the tears rolled down their
cheeks. This may have been in some cases that they were
sorry that a glorious occasion was coming to an end, but
I rather think that many were deeply touched and their
hearts were' filled with gratitude and thanksgiving that they
were partakers of the blessings that this Gospel and their
missions provided.
As this last song ended the M C asked one of the Super
visors to offer the benediction. One of the young Mission
aries asked, Can we kneel? and they all got on their
knees. Truly this was an inspiration. I am sure all that
beheld this Impromptu Closing Session of our conference
returned to their various projects resolved to work with
greater patience and devotion to fill their assignments.
From Sister Edna Biesinger - Germanic Area Office

On April 17, 1962, Elders Frank C. Berg and Kenneth
Biesinger visited Augsburg, Germany, to see Elder Franz
Wallner, Building Supervisor and the Church Building Mis
sionaries and branch members. At this time they were
digging the footings on the new chapel.
Lately, Elder Biesinger and I visited this site again and
were pleased to find the complete construction had been
taken over by Elder Wallner and the Church Building Mis
sionaries. They were completing the roof and the plaster
ing.
A special thanks to the two young men who were on va
cation from England and were spending their time helping
out. They were working hard and helping the progress of the
building and are to be commended. A Relief Society lady
came with a large basket of food. They all hurried down
the ladder from the roof.
Isnt it good to know the joy and satisfaction and good
times that are had in working with a group of people who
are serving the Lord? Not so many months ago it was said
that what we are now doing would be impossibleas there
was entirely too much red tape for us to build on our
own. We would do well to adopt the slogan the Building
Missionaries used in New Zealand. We do difficult things
today impossible things tomorrow miracles may take
longer.
We surely should add a word of thanks to Sister Wallner and
to all the other wives who are making many sacrifices so
their husbands can do this work. The Lord will surely bless
them. And you should see the W allner
s darling baby!!

From Sister Laura W oodbury - Lovestoft, England

Some credit or word of praise should be given Brother and
Sister Ernest Draper of York who, besides working faith
fully on the York Chapel, spent part of their holiday time
here at Lowestoft, working on our Chapel. Elder Woodbury
said Sister Draper was as good as any man for the work
she did. They worked shoulder to shoulder, putting in full
days and we feel to say, Well done, thou good and faith
ful servants,to them.
Sometimes it is hard to tell who gets the most notice, our
chapel or Elder Woodbury in his working clothes. One old
man called him a Wild Western and another asked if
that was the way we dressed in America! We are thankful
for the little items like this that give us a good laugh for we
find we surely need one at times.

From Sister R. McDonald

Drumchapel, England

FAITH W ITHOUT WORKS?? This is a mighty program a people-

N o dead ones over here!!! Look closely
now for you ll be seeing these beautiful
happy faces for years to come. They ll
be the Stake Presidents, Bishops, teach
ers and leaders in the Church in Scot
land; perhaps even apostles of the Lord.
No one really likes to dig ditches but
it has to be done. Digging builds the
muscles that hoist the trusses and also
builds strong testimonies that can carry
heavy responsibility without faltering.
building program. It is inspired by our
Heavenly Father who knows us all so
well and loves us anyway.
Let us never forget the fury of the
winds o f persecution, intolerance and
discouragement that will beat against
this house. We must not only build firm
foundations of concrete and stone, but
o f testimonies and faith.
The Saints, not we, will build the King
dom in their land!!

27
From Brother Glen Grandall - Germanic Area Office
THE N IG H T THE MUD CAM E IN! by Glen Crandall,
Treasurer in Germanic Area

The Bergs had gone to Mutual,
The Kaysers were at home,
Ehlers and Biesingers traveling.
They always liked to roam.
We, the Crandalls were having dinner
With new supervisors and their kin.
All were unsuspecting,
The night the mud came in.
We had borrowed chairs from Bergs,
How nice of them to lend
Us chairs, to seat our guests
Around our table s end.
The Kerksieks and the Hills
Where the families with their kin.
They were tired from all their travel,
The night the mud came in.
As we started to return the chairs.
We, the H ill
s and their pretty daughter
We found to our dismay
Bergs apartment was full of water.
At first glance we didn t know
If we should laugh or grin.
We were very sick and shocked.
The night the mud came in.
We called the other houses
For labor reinforcements.
We were all building missionaries,
Whether ladies, boys, or gents.
Rolled up our clothes, to bare
Feet and pretty skin.
Never worked so hard in all our lives.
The night the mud came in.
With brooms, and mops, and squegees,
We had finally found one drain,
We pushed, we mopped, we shoveled,
And kept ahead of the rain.
We never worked so hard in our lives;
And work is not a sin,
We made enormous headway.
The night the mud came in.
Water is never so bad.
It can only be a dud.
But under the water a layer,
We found of sticky mud.
This added greatly to our fun,
And we thought we would never win.
We will always remember with glee,
The night the mud came in.
Bea Berg and her two lovely daughters,
Finally came from Mutual, home.
We broke the news; she stood up well,
The workers were working in foam.
Ehlers and Biesingers were still away,
We wondered about their Inn,
But no key to open the door, and look,
The night the mud came in.
But finally Ken Biesinger arrived,
His basement was also a flood,
We worked next with him and wife.
Clearing the water and mud.
Ken and Edna were also good sports,
They took it with a grin,
By midnight we called it off,
The night the mud came in.
Now let this be a lesson to you
Which we have learned first-hand.
The rain belongs outside
T o water and feed the land.
So build your houses with care,
G ood Caution is not a sin,
And you ll never have to say,
Last night the mud came in.

From the Germanic Area - Freiburg Branch

Where There
s A Will, There
s A Way to paint with, and an oblong pan for a
bucket. This was the best equipment
Elder Dan Lehman and Elder Pete Van they could buy but it must have been
Hulten were assigned, when they first sufficient as everyone is pleased with
arrived in Germany, to remodel the the beautifully painted, draped and
baptistry in the Freiburg Branch. The carpeted hall and rooms that adjoin the
first thing they found out was that the baptistry.
equipment wasn t exactly the same as The sweet spirit and wonderful attitude
they were used to in the States, but endeared these families to the people
with true missionary spirit, as well as of this branch and when they left they
much hilarity on the part of both the were presented with a lovely iron door
men and their wives who couldn t bell by the branch members. These peo
resist taking the accompanying picture ple had won their hearts in less than a
they made the best of the equipment month.
at hand. This consisted of: an underwear (From left to right in the photo, Elder
leg for a painter s cap, a round brush Pete van Hulten and Elder Dan Lehman
(which looks like an old shaving brush) with the unique painter s cap!)

From Sister Maxine Boren - Manchester Stake Center, England

The other night when I drove to the site expecting Henry
to be waiting patiently for me to pick him up after work,
Robin pointed to the top of the roof and said, Theyre
working up there! Sure enough they were still working in
the dark. I pulled in as closely as possible and turned the
headlights up, revealing Operation See-Saw.The problem
of how to get the seventy panels of. Stramat (insulation
material) from the ground to the rooftop was solved after
several not-too-successful attempts to lift each panel by
hand to a height where it could be reached by the crew and
volunteers from the roof. By balancing a 16 x2
xl0 over
a strong sawhorse, setting a panel of Stamat on end, on the
end of the plank next to the shell, pulling the other end of the
plank down and putting all their weight on it, the panel could
be lifted up within reach of those on the roof, who pulled it
the rest of the way up and stacked it on top, ready for use
the next day. Necessity the mother of invention.
The roof is completed on the one wing of classrooms and
they are now in the process of finishing the roof on an
other wing. The floor of the chapel is ready for pouring.
The crew of four work well together and the work is pro
gressing.

28
 Scandinavian Area Church B u ildin g M issionaries

YRJO VIGREN
I was born on March 22, in Finland in a little place called Juujajoki, being the eldest son of
a farmer Juho Einari Vigren and his wife Emma Ojala. They had four sons and four daughters
altogether.
In the year 1951 I went to live in Helsinki. An elderly lady I knew advised me to go to a
church meeting and I was baptized a year later in the Church of Jesus Christ o f Latter-Day
Saints.
In 1959 I moved to Tampere where I was employed as a metal worker. In the branch I was
a secretary o f the Elders Quorum and also a teacher.
In ihe MIA Conference in 1962, President Anderson called me to be a Church Building Mis
sionary and I was assigned to the Lahti Chapel.
In this work it has been a great pleasure for me to try to get this great work done according
to the Eternal Plan of our Father in Heaven.

EEVA MAIJA SALMINEN

My name is Eeva-Maija Salminen. I
was born September 22, 1943, in Lahti,
Finland. My parents are Eino Sal
minen and Helvi Vuorela. I have four
brothers, two of them belonging to the
Church, Markku, twelve, and Seppo
who is twenty-three years of age.
About four years ago the Missionaries
visited our home for the first time. I
was then fifteen years o f age. The whole
family belonged to the Evangelis Lu
theran Church and at that time I was
attending the confirmation school. Be
fore I was graduated from this school
my parents had already been baptized.
Mother was the first to accept the
Gospel and a month later my father was
ready to be baptized. Then Markku
followed their example. Three years ago
Seppo joined the Church and he is now
a proselyting missionary for the Church
laboring in Turku, Finland. I have been
a member for two and one-half years.
1 finished my schooling in the spring
of 1961. During that summer we went
to the temple in Switzerland. I will
never forget that journey nor the day
our family was sealed in the temple.
continue my school studies. After four
months I graduated as a cartographer.
On August 26, 1962, I was asked if I
would desire to be called on a Church
Building Mission, and the next morning
I was on my way to the Church Build
ing Missionary Conference in Sweden.
My hobbies are drawing, reading, music
and camping. I have worked in the
Church as a Junior Sunday School teach
er and as the secretary of the YWMIA
and a Relief Society visiting teacher in
the Lahti Branch.
I am happy in my new calling, being
able to help in the Chapel building, and
I am grateful that I can do this in my
own home town. Building the cultural
hall will be as dear to me as my own
home and I believe also that our MIA
is going to have many wonderful meet
ings and other happy nights there.
My prayer is that our Heavenly Father
will bless me that I might have the
strength to work on the building for the
In the fall I started working in a jewel- time that has been given me until I
ery store. I worked there for four start my regular missionary work as a
months until I moved to Kuopio to proselyting missionary.

T O IV O V O IT T O KULJU
Toivo Voitto Kulju has been called by President Mark E. Anderson of the Finnish
Mission, to labor as a Building Missionary. President Anderson set him apart for
this calling July 11, 1962. At present Brother Kulju is working on the Turku Branch
building under the direction o f Reed Poulson.

He was born April 9, 1943, in Lahti, Finland, one of ten children. As a boy he
attended public and high school in Lahti; also participating in the Boy Scout Move
ment for five years. With a little knowledge of English and Swedish, he will be of
great worth to his Supervisor. He was not a member of the Church at the time of
his call, but was baptized shortly before the Scandinavian Area conference.

29
******** L jo u a n d y ou r
MISSIONARY
S RELEASE
Elder Jeff Holland, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Frank D. Holland, British Area Treas
urer, was honorably released September
14, 1962, after completing a two-year
proselyting mission for the Church in
the British Mission. The last six months
o f that time he served as Zone Coun
selor to President Marion D. Hanks.
Jeff had been in the field just thirteen
months almost to the day when his
parents received their call. At that time,
and for some time after his family ar
rived, Jeff was Supervising Elder of
Croydon District with headquarters at
Epsom.
It was a bit unusual for a missionary
to sit in the same church meetings with
his family every Sunday, but then, it
was also unusual for a missionary to
say good-by to his home on both ends
of his mission.
Jeff left London Central Airport, Sep
tember 26, 1962, with a missionary
companion who had come over with
him. Both plan to enter Dixie Junior
College, St. George, Utah.
BIRTHDAY PARTY
A birthday party was given in honor
of Robert Smithson of Dewsbury.
Robert was sixteen on September 5,
1962, and the party was held the Satur
day evening following his birthday.
Friends were asked to bring a contact,
and this proved to be very successful
and lots o f fun. Thirty-five guests were
present. Games were played, followed
30
J-am ily ********
by refreshments. Non-members express Other guests at the party were: Miss
ed their interest and enjoyment in be Lieslotte Springer, the newest secretary;
ing invited. As a result two boys are Sister Myer, mother of Helene who
now being taught the Gospel, along was visiting them from Innsbruck, Aus
with one young lady. tria; and President and Sister McIntyre,
Robert has also been put in as first coun the new president of the West German
selor in the Sunday School. He is a ward mission.
teacher and is on the ward followship Helene will surely be missed by the
committee. entire staff, but we all wish her the
best and hope she will be happy in her
new adventure.
FAREWELL PARTIES
Britain:
FAITH AS A LITTLE CHILD
Linda Beckingham, Church Building Mis
sionary in the Office at Epsom, with By: Sister Gwynn Curtis, Kirkcaldy
her family. Brother and Sister Charles
Flight-year old Mark was eagerly count
Beckingham, Leila and Tony, were
ing the days until he was to leave with
guests of honor at a farewell party,
his parents for the Building Missionary
September 19, 1962, given by her mis
Conference in Derby. Two days before
sionary companions and the office force,
the date of departure, he fell while play
including husbands and wives, with
ing and badly bumped his head on
whom she has worked the last seven
the curbstone of the sidewalk. He was
months.
knocked unconscious and the doctor
Dinner was served to twenty-six, after
pronounced severe concussion, put him
which the talented Beckingham family
right into the hospital for X-rays and
entertained the group with songs and
observation and said there and then he
dance. They were in turn entertained by
would not be fit to travel that week,
songs or skits by other members of the
and that it would be sometime be
group.
fore he would feel himself again; how
The group wished the family G od s
ever, the doctor was not counting on
speed and a happy landing in their new
the L ords help quite like Mark was.
home in Salt Lake City, Utah. The
Although Mark was woosy, he just
Beckingham s sailed Thursday, Septem
vaguely remembered he was administer
ber 27, 1962, on the Queen Elizabeth.
ed to before entering the hospital, and
whispered to his mother before she left
him in the hospital bed that dad could
Germany: come for him first thing in the morning
because the Lord wanted him to go to
A farewell party was given for Helene the conference and would make him
Myer Larkin at the Glen Grandall home well.
in Bad Vilbel, Germany. Helene is the Sure enough dad was able to go for
first secretary that was employed by him and when the doctor examined
the Germanic Area. On Monday, Sep him and saw the sparkle in his eye
tember 17, the wives o f the office staff the next morning, he was amazed and
served a lovely pot luck dinner and a pronounced him fit enough to go after
small gift was given to Helene in ap all, Mark had not had so much as a
preciation .o f her fine work. headache. He feels so close to the Lord
She met her husband in Frankfurt while and has absolute trust in him.
working for the Church Building D e This is the faith as a little child the
partment. He was on a tour of duty Lord requires of all his people from
for Uncle Sam, serving as a chaplain s youth to old age. It is the beginning
assistant. He has now completed his of all the Lord can bring about and is
assignment and plans to take Helene one o f the beautiful things that sets a
back to Ogden, Utah, to meet his family true Latter-Day Saint apart from the
and make their home there. rest of the world.
 YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN
SUCH A CHURCH...
Editors Note: Due to the request of
many, we are printing the following
chant that was presented at the Scand
inavian Area Conference during the
Fun Night.
I Hugh, Wendy and Thomas, with Broth
In Oslo we are building a church, a
church, a wonderful church. Oh, you
have never seen such a church and it is
right there in Oslo.
II
In this church we have members, yes,
members, such wonderful members. Oh,
you have never seen such members.
The members are in the church and the
church is right there in Oslo.
m will be Am Tannenwald 6, Bad Vilbel
O f these members we have a promise,
a promise, a wonderful promise. Oh,
you have never heard such a promise.
They promised to come out to help and
build their church right there in Oslo.
IV
On this church we will raise a roof, a
roof, a wonderful roof. Oh, you have
never seen such a roof. The roof will
be on the church and the church will
fall on the members if they don t keep
their promise, right there in Oslo.
V to President and Sister George Biesinger,
On this project we have a crew, a
crew, a wonderful crew. Have you ever
seen such a crew. We are building the
church and we will raise the roof if
the members don t come out to help
and build their church right there in
O O . .0 O . slo.
Sister Gudrun Sorensen
Keep on the ball and smiling with:
Your shoulder to the wheel,
Your nose to the grindstone,
Your feet (at least one) on the ground,
Your eye on the future,
Your best foot forward,
Your fingers crossed, and
H old your banners high!
If you can do that you will
be a real success as you see
in the picture.
(from the L.D.S. Construction News)
MOVING
On September 30, 1962, the George
Biesinger family moved from their home
in Epsom to Frankfurt, Germany. Ty,
Kathy, Stephen, and George Biesinger
had gone on ahead on September 2,
1962, to start school. Moana, David O.,
er and Sister Biesinger left on the 30th.
The Epsom group held a farewell par
ty for them at the home o f Elder and
Sister Ray Fisher. A delicious buffet
dinner was served after which games
were played. The Biesinger family will
be greatly missed by their friends in
Epsom, but we wish them all the best
in their new home in Bad Vilbel, near
Frankfurt, Germany. Their new address
6368, West Germany.
Other special guests at the party were
Elder and Sister Arvill Biesinger from
Salt Lake City, Utah. Elder Biesinger is
the new supervisor o f the Cheltenham
project. Elder and Sister James L.
Titmus from Boise, Idaho, also attend
ed. He will be the Assistant Treasurer
in the Office.
NEW ARRIVALS
A baby son, Thomas Hardy, was born
on August 13, 1962. He is their ninth
child and sixth son.
Elder and Mrs. Ralph Orr of 167 Rydal
Avenue, Loughborough, announce the ar
rival o f a baby son, Raymond David,
born August 25, 1962. Elder Orr is su
pervising the construction o f the Lough
borough Chapel.
VACATION!!
Kathy Bird almost missed her first day
as a Senior at Bushy Hall American
Air Force School. Reason: She was
having too much fun visiting Mary
Jane Andrew in Frankfurt, Germany.
A little bird told us there were an
unusually large number of young L.D.S.
service men hanging around the Bad
Vilbel Little Utah area during her
visit. Could it be that this had some
thing to do with Kathy s delayed re
turn home to England!!?
CONGRATULATIONS
In the July Issue we mentioned that
Larry Jensen was pitching for one of
the teams in Berlin. We have just re
ceived word that his team won the
Berlin Little League Championship,
and won an award. Larry was on the
All-Star team and has done very well
with his ball playing. G ood work!
MISSIONARY CALL
Marilyn Boren left August 8, 1962, on
a full-time mission. She will be under
President Grant S. Thorn in the North
east British Mission, and expects to be
gone at least a year. At present, she is
working in Hull and the surrounding
area and spoke in the first street meeting
held in Beverly after President Thorn
gave the go-ahead for street meetings
to be held again.