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AREA LEADERSHIP MESSAGE How to Improve Spiritual Self-Reliance By Elder Robert A. Dryden, Great Britain Elder Area Seventy Robert A. Dryden

ow do we assess the importance of The Book of Mormon became the We reach spiritual self-reliance as H spiritual and temporal self-reliance? love of his life. The Holy Spirit amazed we follow the guidance of the First President Marion G. Romney said: him by becoming his constant com- Presidency and diligently practice “Let us be self-reliant and independent. panion. He was called to be a ward simple devotions in our personal and Salvation can be obtained on no other missionary, and success followed in family daily lives:

principle.”¹ baptisms and activations. He identified 1. Keep the commandments of God.4 How, then, might we improve our (with help) and baptised vicariously 2. Search the scriptures (particularly spiritual self-reliance? The Apostle Paul 65 direct-line members of his family. the Book of Mormon) and learn to defined that condition man must reach He was given a car by a brother “press forward, feasting upon the to be truly spiritually self-reliant. It is the who recognised his great zeal for the word of Christ.” 5 condition in which a man has earned Lord’s work. Paul is now really self- 3. Pray from our hearts: “When [we] the right to have the living of the gospel reliant. He received the Melchizedek do not cry unto the Lord, let [our] “written not with ink, but with the Spirit Priesthood and was called to serve as hearts be full, drawn out in prayer of the living God; not in tables of stone, a facilitator within the stake addiction unto him continually.” 6 but in the fleshy tables of the heart.” 2 recovery programme. He worked in caring for the homeless in the city. He The teachings of Brigham Young A Remarkable Story organised and held cottage evenings harmonise powerfully with those Occasionally a member displays a for new members, investigators and of the First Presidency in the essen- truly remarkable progression towards returning less-active members. He was tial path of obtaining spiritual spiritual self-reliance. Paul is one of assigned to speak in stake conference self-reliance. Brigham Young said: those. and was endowed in the temple. He “We . . . take all the laws, rules, He was the youngest of five chil- fulfilled his dream of going to gen- ordinances and regulations contained dren, raised in a home and district eral conference with the missionary in the Scriptures and practice them as where drink, drugs, abuse, violence, who found and baptised him. Tears far as possible, and then keep learning and imprisonment were normal parts filled their eyes as President Monson and improving until we can live by of life, resulting in family poverty and entered the auditorium. every word that proceeds out of the hardship. That poverty often resulted The First Presidency introduc- mouth of God.” 7 in Paul being asked to steal food for tion to the Self-Reliance Services My “The people [cannot receive the the family. He was taken in to care in Foundation course encourages us to laws] in their perfect fulness; but they his youth and was violently abused. diligently study and apply the prin- can receive a little here and a little Below are his steps of progression ciples of self-reliance and promises there, a little today and a little tomor- and accomplishments in a little more that “as you do so, your life will be row, and a little more next week. . . . than a year: blessed.”³ If we wish to act upon the fulness of

March 2017 U1 the knowledge that the Lord designs NOTES 1. Marion G. Romney, quoted in Thomas S. to reveal, little by little, to the inhab- Monson, “Guiding Principles of Personal and itants of the earth, we must improve Family Welfare,” Ensign, Sept. 1986, 3. 2. 2 Corinthians 3:3. 8 upon every little as it is revealed.” 3. My Foundation: Principles, Skills, Habits His message confirms that “our (self-reliance booklet, 2015), 2. 4. See Mattew 22:35–40. personal growth in the gospel comes 5. 2 Nephi 31:20. 6. Alma 34:27. little by little and line upon line as we 7. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: live the principles we learn.” 9 In the Brigham Young (1997), 21. 8. Teachings: Brigham Young, 21–22. name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼ 9. Heading in Teachings: Brigham Young, 21. COURTESY OF PRESIDENT TREBILCOCK

LOCAL NEWS British pageant president Peter Trebilcock with his wife, Beth

British Pageant Presidency and The cast of the British pageant Director in Place for 2017 Event from 2013 By Malcom Adcock, Europe Public Affairs

he presidency and director for the of poverty and persecution, this is just T Church’s 2017 British pageant have as much our own story. been announced. Peter Trebilcock from “It resonates with each Latter-day Chorley, Lancashire, will serve as pag- Saint who has heard the truth, felt the eant president, working with first coun- impressions of the Holy Spirit and sellor Malcolm Beverley, also from the made the determination to follow it, SIMON JONES Chorley district, and second counsellor with many having to make great per- Andrew Fagg from the Maidstone area. sonal sacrifices as a consequence.” Alexandra Mackenzie Johns, based in Peter Trebilcock flagged up the gospel of Jesus Christ and to build on the Channel Islands, has been called need for pageant performers and the legacy of those early converts.” as pageant director for a second time backstage support: “It’s a wonderful Peter Trebilcock is an experi- following the successful 2013 pageant. opportunity for hundreds of the British enced architect—formerly vice pres- Responding to his new Church Church members to participate. We ident of the Royal Institute of British assignment, President Trebilcock said: are not asking for professionals. We Architects—who was previously design “It is a huge privilege to be involved are asking for members, including our team leader for the Church’s Preston in this exciting endeavour. While the youth, with a growing conviction of the England Temple complex in Chorley. pageant recalls the work performed gospel and a willingness to serve—to The British pageant was co-written by the first missionaries of The share their time and talents, to help our by director Alexandra Mackenzie Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day fellow Latter-day Saints and our friends Johns, and Alex is now looking to Saints to Great Britain and those who who are not of our faith to discover organise a larger cast than most embraced their message in the midst or renew their faith and rejoice in the Broadway shows. She said: “Telling

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these sacred stories next summer fills Alex is raising her two children, in August 2017 (1–5 and 8–12) near us with joy as Church members in the aged three and one, in Jersey, where the grounds of the Church’s Preston British Isles, and I can only but feel her husband is a chiropractor. She is England Temple in Lancashire, North that it is a joy reflected in the heav- a full-time mother while also studying West England. The pageant tells the ens above. I think in honouring and part-time for a PhD in theatre, which personal stories of the migration of remembering them, we come to know Alex describes as “a fun combination, early 19th-century Mormons from the ourselves more fully, and that their to say the least!” British Isles to the United States, using faith, and our faith, are more intimately There will be ten performances of journals, sermons and historic docu- connected than we perhaps realise.” the British Pageant: Truth Will Prevail ments from the time. ◼

Speaker’s Chaplain and MP from Northern Ireland Receive UK Family Values Awards By Malcolm Adcock

im Shannon, MP for Strangford of vital importance to the national Parliamentary efforts and engagement J in Northern Ireland, and Revd and international community. You demonstrate strong support for fami- Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, demonstrate firsthand that ‘family’ is lies and individuals.” Chaplain to the Speaker of the House indeed the basis of strong and stable Particular emphasis was also placed of Commons and a Chaplain to Her societies—nationally and globally. Your on the outstanding work Jim Shannon Majesty, the Queen, received the 2016 UK Family Values Awards from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at an event held at Parliament in London (6th December). The Church in the UK presents Family Values Awards annually to indi- viduals in the public eye whose work and influence have a significant impact on family life within society in the UK. Elder Patrick Kearon, Europe Area President—who was accompanied by his wife, Sister Jennifer Kearon— praised the vision and influence of the PETER BLANCHFLOWER 2016 awards recipients: Left to right: Elder Patrick Kearon, Sister Jennifer Kearon, Revd Prebendary Rose “Jim Shannon reflects family values Hudson-Wilkin, Jim Shannon MP, Sister Julie Herbertson and Elder Clifford T. in his approach to his own life and Herbertson at the presentation of the Family Values Awards in London to the leadership he shows on topics

March 2017 U3 undertakes with respect to supporting religious freedom and belief. was filled with love as the women “Rose Hudson-Wilkin has cham- Bags of Service carefully selected what to put in each By Marietta Sagal pioned family values and Christian one.” Karen expressed her gratitude ethics in her personal life and in her omen and girls from the for the support shown, as “the buddy public roles. As the 79th Chaplain W Birmingham England Stake bags will make a real difference to to the Speaker of the House of gathered for a day of service for the children not just today but in Commons, she has displayed a the local community. They assem- their future.” The bags were deliv- steady spiritual influence amidst the bled 130 ‘buddy bags’ for children ered to local women’s refuges across often turbulent life in the House of placed in emergency care. Birmingham the following week. Commons. Thank you, Rose, for your The Buddy Bag Foundation was The women also spent the morn- firm commitment to the highest values organised by Karen Williams to ing finishing off 109 ‘twiddle muffs,’ of integrity, for your public service, help the 48,000 children requiring ready to be distributed across and for your championing of faith.” emergency care each year in the Birmingham. Twiddle muffs are knit- “I do believe that within our UK, as children are often taken ted sleeves with beads and objects society, within our community, that from a harmful environment at attached to them to help stimulate family is the central building block”, very short notice. The bags contain people suffering with Alzheimer’s remarked Revd Rose Hudson- items such as pyjamas, toiletries, disease and dementia. Wilkin. She continued: “I will use colours and a cuddly toy. Throughout the year, various books all my time, all my energy, for pray- Siân Davies, Relief Society had also been collected and donated ing not just for our family and our president, commented, “Each bag to help refugees learn English. ◼ JENNIFER MARINHO children but for all our families, all our children.” Elder Clifford Herbertson, Area Seventy, concluded the awards cer- emony by addressing the challenges to family life and potential solutions: “As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we want to join with like-minded individuals in strengthening the family—within the walls of the home itself and in broader society. We believe in family.” David Rutley MP (for Macclesfield) hosted this year’s luncheon at the House of Commons. The 2016 awards event was attended by 13 Parliamentarians from across the Sisters from the Birmingham stake with the buddy bags political spectrum. ◼

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Help for Women in Need AMANDA CHAPRONIERE By Peter Knight

elief Society sisters from the R Lichfield England Stake met together to provide help for a local women’s refuge. Quite often, when women arrive at the refuge, they have no possessions apart from the clothes

that they are wearing. These women, Left to right: Jancis Poole, Gill Garner, Mandy Chaproniere and Min Evans- who are generally fleeing abusive Southall holding some of the boxes that were donated to the women’s refuge relationships, often have children with them, and these youngsters can be upset and distressed. placed in four large carrier bags and involved. The lives of the women and In order to help these needy women distributed to other worthy causes. children in the women’s refuge will be and children, it was decided that the Providing compassionate service just a little easier due to the kindness group would create and donate some in this way proved to be uplifting and generosity of the women who ‘welcome packs’ for the refuge. For the and inspiring for all those who were volunteered to help. ◼ women, these packs contained essen- tial items such as soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, a toothbrush, toothpaste, flannels, wash ® bags and tissues, as well as sanitary LEGO Model of the Preston Temple items, socks and hair accessories. By Ashley Green These items were put into decorated shoe boxes. For the children, their n late 2014, Bishop Beharrell set the In 2016, my setting apart as a ‘welcome packs’ contained colouring I Shrewsbury Ward a challenge to worker in the Preston England books and crayons, sweets and toys. ‘Look to the Temple’. In 2015, I and Temple and subsequent trips with a The women’s group from the Church some of my students at Cruckton 12-year-old friend for her first visit to also made blankets, either knitted or Hall School (a private school for boys the temple and then her first youth sewn, to add to the boxes in the hope with autism spectrum disorders), baptistry session inspired me to apply that they would bring some comfort near Shrewsbury, built a 1/40th-scale the skills and experience I’d gained in to the children who find themselves LEGO® model of Cruckton Hall. In the 2015 to the construction of a 1/100th- in such difficult circumstances. autumn, the model was included in a scale LEGO model of the Preston A total of 133 boxes were deco- ‘Brick City’ exhibition in Shrewsbury temple. The model was on display in rated and filled. When there were no Museum, where it was seen by thou- the foyer of the Shrewsbury chapel, boxes left, the remaining items were sands of visitors. where it was of great interest to visitors

March 2017 U5 and ward Primary children, inspiring them to ‘Look to the Temple’. The only non-LEGO part in the model is the angel Moroni, which I obtained from the Latter-day Bookstore in Chorley. A few of the

LEGO elements aren’t available in COURTESY OF ASHLEY GREEN white, so my stepson Richard Tong Brother Ashley Green with the LEGO model of the Preston England Temple spray-painted them for me. ◼

NEWS FROM WALES day be able to fill the chapel if they said, “There’s a famous quote, ‘Standing constructed it, and work on the build- on the shoulders of giants,’ and I think ing commenced. This exercise of faith some of the people we’ve heard about 50 Years of Faith was particularly powerful as it was today are giants, with their wonderful By Jonathan McColgan members of the stake who did the contributions. I’m also mindful of the actual building—giving of their time hard work that has been done by the powerful monument to the faith and energy to lay the foundations, previous stake presidents”. A and dedication of its members, place brick upon brick, stone upon All previous stake presidents were the Cardiff Wales Stake chapel recently stone, until the chapel was done. able to attend the commemoration reached its 50th year of existence Leonora Russ of the Cardiff Ward, day, as did many who had been bap- earlier this month. The event was who was a child at the time of the con- tised in the chapel building over the celebrated with a special commemo- struction and who spoke at the recent years. It was a wonderful opportunity ration day that was attended not only chapel commemoration day, recalled, to reflect on the great things that came by members of the Church but also by “All the members got involved. from those who exercised faith all

Welsh Assembly Member Julie Morgan. Children did whatever they could to those years ago. ◼ MCCOLGAN JONATHAN It was a coming together of both the help and not hinder. They just came up Church and the wider community, and donated their time whenever they which is befitting for a building that could. And I can remember it being has been a part of Cardiff since 1966. cold and damp and muddy, but it was When plans first came together for a really lovely feeling to know that we its construction, it must have seemed were going to have a nice building at a highly ambitious project. Although the end of it.” Leonora helped by carry- the new building could fit a couple ing water in a bucket around to where of hundred people when full, the it was needed on the construction site. branch that attended it in its early days Since then, the numbers attending only comprised around 30 members. the chapel have grown and grown, Cardiff members at the 50th Nevertheless, Latter-day Saints exer- and the stake has increased in strength. anniversary celebrations cised their faith that they would one Current stake president Jared Somerville

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Alexander Mackenzie By Yvonne Aston

lexander David William visited him. He astounded Alex by A Mackenzie, 93 years old, is the actually telling him that no one was father of six children and has twelve perfect in the Church! If Alex was grandchildren, seventeen great-grand- baptised and received the gift of the children and four great-great-grand- Holy Ghost, he would overcome his children. In 1961 the elders came challenges. knocking on a cold, wet, blustery The whole family, apart from day in Denton, near Manchester. The Alex’s eldest son, were baptised in the

missionaries were bedraggled, wet and Wythenshawe chapel, the first family weary. Frankie Mackenzie saw their to be baptised there. It is now the plight and rushed them indoors and Manchester England Stake Centre. listened to their message. ‘I’m Elder In 1964 they moved from Denton John Pitcher,’ said one. ‘And I’m Elder to Jersey in the Channel Islands, a Sam Gentry,’ added his companion. delightful island closer to France than

‘We want to tell you about Jesus Christ’. England. At first there was no church COURTESY OF ALEX MACKENZIE

‘You’ll have to come tomorrow on the island, but when the branch Brother Alex Mackenzie morning when my husband, Alex, opened, Alex was simultaneously will be here’. branch president in Jersey and first Alex Mackenzie arrived home that counsellor in Hyde in Cheshire! His grandson Joseph Mahy is serv- evening to be told by his six-year- Frankie, Alex’s wife, died in 1969 ing a mission in Texas. His grand- old son, Malcolm, ‘God and Jesus are at the age of forty-five. He says, “If I daughter Alexandra Mackenzie Johns coming to see you in the morning’. hadn’t been a member of the Church served in the North of England, has The following morning Alex didn’t and had the gospel in my life, I don’t directed the Nauvoo Pageant and cre- really fancy seeing God and Jesus, but know how I could have got through ated and directed the British pageant, Frankie said that he couldn’t be so that terrible time. My testimony of in which another grandson, Matthew rude as to go out when the boys were the doctrine of eternal families was Mackenzie, played Arthur Ashton. coming, ‘and after all, you only have to my light in the darkness of my loss.” She will be directing the British pag- listen to them—what harm can that do?’ This same faith has supported him eant this year in 2017 at the Preston Although he believed that the gos- and his family through the deaths of England Temple site. pel was true as soon as he heard the four of his children and two of his Without those two young mis- message, Alex was uncertain about grandchildren. sionaries, knocking on doors in a baptism. He felt unworthy to join the Having held almost every position storm, none of these things would Church because he couldn’t be sure in the ward since the Church’s rees- ever have happened. Alex Mackenzie, that he could live the commandments. tablishment, Alex is known to every- John Pitcher and their families have Grant Thorne, then mission president one as ‘Pop’ and is looked on as the remained friends for over 55 years— of the North West British Mission, father of the Jersey Ward. that’s missionary follow-up! ◼

March 2017 U7 Tender Mercies the Staines England Stake now has over By Elder Lee Burke 2,500 members covering the area that I helped open up in 1961.

ifty-five years ago I was a young trav- COURTESY OF ELDER BURKE We never know what will happen Felling elder with six weeks’ service in Elder Burke outside the Staines chapel when we do the work of the Lord. the British Mission, when I received a call Sometimes the smallest act or kind word from the mission president to supervise and several others subsequently accepted can act as a seed that will grow into the opening of a new district. President the challenge to be baptised but something very significant. “Wherefore, Woodbury named it the Royal Windsor changed their minds at the last minute. be not weary in well-doing, for ye are District and gave me the task of assigning We couldn’t understand why until we laying the foundation of a great work. elders to help establish it. It included the discovered that a lady was circulating And out of small things proceedeth that towns of Windsor, Slough, Staines and anti-Mormon literature. But on 17th which is great” (D&C 64:33). ◼ Maidenhead and we chose Slough as our August we finally had our first baptism headquarters. in Staines—a lady named Sister Lewis. We moved to Slough in a rented van These early converts showed great Editors’ Note that cost £10 for three days’ hire, and we faith. One lady was very nervous the night he editors, Jason Watling and spent our first two nights in the top room before her baptism and explained that the Debbie Twigger, invite all news of a pub at a cost of £1 each per night day following her baptism she would need T stories, articles and photographs to until we found somewhere more perma- to visit her former vicar to explain why she be sent to [email protected]. nent to stay. There were no members at all could no longer serve as his secretary. Stories should be submitted in in the area, so when I dropped the elders One of the great blessings of being Microsoft Word, 300–500 words, off in their respective towns to find lodg- a missionary is seeing people’s lives with photographs in jpg format, ings, they were very much on their own. change as they accept the gospel. Later around 3–4mb in size. Please submit Four days after we arrived in our new in my mission I was able to witness in stories for the News section as close district in May 1961 we had our first the London temple the sealing of two to the event as possible. baptism—a lady from Windsor—and so families from the Slough Branch—the The signed written permission of all our little branch began to grow. For many Singletons and the Wilkeys. participants in the photograph, as well as months, the Royal Windsor District led the One of our strongest converts was the photographer and author, is required mission in baptisms, and after just three Sister Jean Hearne. She was our best mis- for the Church to use the article. months the membership had risen to sionary, who talked about the gospel to around fifty. On 13th August, the Slough everyone. Recently, I had the blessing of Local Editorial Committee Independent Branch was organised, with visiting with her. It was hard to conceive Des Waddington, Shawna Denny, Debbie Singh-Bhatti, Tracey Prior, Brother Wettsein as branch president and that the 60-year-old man who picked us Jonathan McColgan Brother Singleton—a member of just two up at Reading railway station was the weeks—as his second counsellor. The five-year-old boy who attended his fam- Websites/Social Media Slough Branch soon became the largest ily’s baptism. His son Paul now serves in For the latest news and updates, in the Reading District. the Staines England Stake presidency. please visit www.lds.org.uk, But the work was not without its Sometimes when we serve in the www.mormonnewsroom.org.uk, trials. Staines looked very promising at Church we don’t always see the results www.facebook.com/LDSUK and first. Two weeks after we arrived on May of our service. I consider it a tender mercy ldschurchuk on Twitter. All articles 17th we held a very successful meeting from the Lord that I have been able to for inclusion should be sent to with fifty people in attendance. A family visit the Staines Ward and learn that [email protected]. ◼ ENGLISH—EUROPE

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