These enthusiastic Latter-day Saint youth, with the Canadian Parliament Building in the background, are symbolic of the Church in Canada. Canadian Mormons are loyal and responsible citizens who contribute to making Canada a better place for all. The rising generation is key to the continued growth and future development of the Church in Canada. (Intellectual Reserve, Inc.) 566 CANADIAN MORMONS Conclusions and Reflections 20 ROY A. PRETE A conclusion is essentially a conversation about a piece of What are the insights to be garnered and the lessons written work and a reflection on its meaning. As editor, if learned from the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of I had a conversation with someone who had just finished Latter-day Saints in Canada? How can awareness of this reading a book such as this, my first question would proba- faith heritage contribute to the reinforcement of our imme- bly be, “How did you like the book?” After some discussion diate faith journey and that of those whom we love and for on the highlights (and perhaps deficiencies) of the book, whom we have a stewardship? And finally, how can this the reader—in this case assumed to be a Latter-day Saint— book help us prepare for the future, which will undoubt- would probably want to know, “What does it all mean?” edly be fraught with challenges both on an individual and This could lead to a discussion on the relationship between collective level? past, present, and future and what the book might contrib- ute to a better understanding of who we are as Canadian LEARN FROM THE PAST Latter-day Saints and how we can better communicate a There are several insights to be garnered from the book that cherished heritage to the rising generation. are worthy of our reflection. It should be recalled that the While there are many possible models for the writing of history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in academic history on religious topics, the editors of this book Canada is part of a broader story, that of the history of the have not chosen to write a detached third-person account, Church in the United States and worldwide. Because of but rather to tell the story from the point of view of those the close proximity of Canada to the United States, Canada who lived it. Nor have they shied away from trying to pres- has been involved in nearly every phase of the broader story. ent the material, though based on very thorough research, In the early period, from shortly after the organization in the format of an illustrated book with many anecdotal of the Church in 1830 until the mid-1850s, missionaries sidebars, numerous photos, and a variety of maps, time- came to Canada to preach the message of the Restoration lines, and graphs to help the reader wend his or her way of the gospel: that God had called a modern-day prophet, through a very complicated story with many names and that the church of Jesus Christ was again upon the earth, places. We hope you like the formula and that you have felt and that God had provided a companion book of scripture edified as you have explored the intricacies of the tale of a to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, as another witness of religious people and their struggles to live their religion and Christ. In a pioneer era in which there was considerable dis- establish “Zion” in a beloved country which they call home. cussion, even controversy, on the subject of religion, many Nor have the editors been afraid to approach the topic people were attracted to this fledgling religion. Some 2,500 from the point of view of what this incredible tale of faith, converts from eastern Canada, mostly from Upper Canada, dedication, perseverance, and mutual support has to do now known as Ontario, swelled the ranks of the Church with current issues and our preparation for the future. They and hearkened to the counsel to gather with the Saints. cherish and take direction from the prophetic wisdom of The bulk of these went west to Utah with Mormon pio- President Thomas S. Monson that we should “learn from neers under Brigham Young after the martyrdom of Joseph the past,” “live in the present,” and “prepare for the future.”1 Smith in 1844. CANADIAN MORMONS 567 568 CANADIAN MORMONS Included among those were such nota- practice of polygamy, Charles Ora Card led The Cardston Alberta bles as John Taylor, a Toronto convert, who a group of forty-one stalwart pioneers from Temple, dedicated in 1923, later became the third President of the Cache Valley, Utah, to Lee Creek (later has long been a symbol of Church (1877–87); Marriner W. Merrill, Cardston), Alberta, in 1887. Card’s little permanence and spiritual from New Brunswick, who later became group was followed by others who made strength to Church members an Apostle (1889–1906); and Ira Nathaniel a second long journey—this time north in Canada. (Lynn Rosenvall) Hinckley, from Upper Canada, grandfather rather than west—for the establishment of of President Gordon B. Hinckley. Canadian their faith. Toward the turn of the century, Saints swelled the ranks of the early Church, another group came, some as the result of founded settlements in Utah, and provided mission calls, to build canals and settle in both Church and civic leaders. Canadian the Magrath and Stirling areas, while yet converts were instrumental in spreading the another group came to grow sugar beets gospel to England and to Scotland. This early and found the town of Raymond. These history of the Church experience in Canada waves of settlers laid the foundation for is an inspiring heritage for the benefit of all a solidly Latter-day Saint settlement in believing Canadian Latter-day Saints and southern Alberta. The crowning joy of ▶ Hugh B. Brown, the first part of a story of broader interest to those in this early group, now numbering nearly president of the Lethbridge the Church who have Canadian ancestors. It ten thousand, was the dedication of the Stake, later became an Apostle is in fact a significant aspect in the broader Cardston Alberta Temple in 1923, the first and a member of the First topic of Canadian-American history. beyond the jurisdiction of the United Presidency. His wife, Zina, A generation later, at a time when the States. The temple symbolized the perma- was the daughter of Charles Latter-day Saints were persecuted for their nent establishment of the Latter-day Saints Ora Card. (LeRoy Rollins) CONCLUSIONS AND REFLECTIONS 569 in Canada, the culmination of their highest aspiration, in building by 1914. The formation in 1919 of the Canadian which the ordinances of salvation could be administered Mission, covering all of Canada east of Saskatchewan, laid locally. The temple has been a beacon of light ever since the foundation for the establishment of the Church in to the people of southern Alberta and all across Canada. It eastern Canada. The formation of the Western Canadian has provided a place of gathering against the storms of the Mission in 1941 provided the vehicle for the extension of world and has been a key factor in the creation of intergen- missionary work in western Canada. The thousands of mis- erational families, in which the southern Alberta commu- sionaries who have served in Canada deserve our special nity has been so successful. recognition as do the thousands from Canada who have No one can read about the drama of the establishment served in other lands all over the world. of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all across The Alberta story may be familiar to many, but it is Canada in the twentieth century without being moved by well worth remembering. In Alberta, Church expansion the faith, dedication, and endurance of early pioneers in followed the migration of Saints from southern Alberta each area. At the end of 2016, there were 486 congregations progressively to locations further north, which, with the in forty-eight stakes and three districts and 193,850 mem- addition of new converts and other move-ins, resulted bers in Canada, making the Church an essential part of the in the formation of the Lethbridge Stake (1921), the Cal- Canadian religious landscape. That remarkable achieve- gary Stake (1953), the Edmonton Stake (1960), the Red ment, like those of earlier days, is a testament to the faith, Deer Stake (1982), and the Grande Prairie Stake (1998). dedication, and united effort of many people over a long Despite rural depopulation, southern Alberta (expanded period whose stories are an inspiration to successive gener- to ten stakes) has remained a vibrant part of the Alberta ations of Latter-day Saints. religious landscape and continues to be a source of lead- The establishment of the Church in the many areas ership for many parts of the country. The grand gathering across Canada outside the Alberta settlement followed a places have been the cities in Alberta where people have consistent pattern. Most growth resulted from missionary come for economic reasons, to benefit from strong Church work. Faithful missionaries either converted one or more programs, and (before the building of temples in other loca- stalwart families or located member families in each loca- tions) to be closer to the temple. Lethbridge in 2016 had tion who had moved in from southern Alberta or else- where, and began to hold meetings in homes. When more converts were added, they met in rented halls, from which beer bottles and cigarette butts had to be removed and the building aired out before Sunday meetings could be held.