Hiya, Hiya, dear family and friends, 9 September 2009

This greeting is Manx. It is given in a high, cheerful tone.
Picture of River Ribble, site of a recent zone conference. How blessed we are, all of us, to be engaged in this great work, this marvelous work and a wonder, this building up of the Kingdom of God on the earth and the establishment of Zion, this gathering of the Lord’s elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other, this binding together families forever that when the Lord comes we may be able to stand and so standing be connected to our roots (ancestors or fathers) and to our branches (descendants or children)—Malachi 4:1, JSH 1:37

The stone was cut out without hands the 6th of April 1830 in upper state New York and first commenced to roll forth to fill the earth at this place: the River Ribble, where citizens of Preston often took Sunday strolls along the promenade leading from the city to Avenham Park. On Sunday, July 30, 1837, a crowd gathered at the river’s edge curious about the baptisms taking place there. They watched George D.Watt, who had changed his clothing a short distance away, race an older gentleman to the river, claiming the honor of being the first Latter-day Saint to be baptized in England. Because baptizing by immersion in the open air was somewhat novel, a concourse of between seven and nine thousand persons assembled on the banks of the river to witness the ceremony. A total of nine individuals were baptized that Sabbath morning, only one week after the first meeting in the Vauxhall Chapel.

From these small beginnings in the summer of 1837 when the Lord called Heber C. Kimball and six companions to take the message of the restored gospel to England, great things have come to pass. Many thousands of us are in the Church today because our English ancestors listened to these and the missionaries that followed. My grandmother heard the missionaries in Warwickshire, England, as a young girl, was healed of a fatal heart problem by their blessing when she was 14, baptized a member of the Church when she was 19 and emigrated to America. The stone continues to grow to fill the earth.

Joan Grimshaw, Phil and Christine Taylor, and Wilma Muir are recent converts. Their baptisms have filled our hearts with joy, the Douglas ward is energized with love and thanksgiving for these wonderful additions to the ward family. Wilma’s son and her mother are being baptized in Scotland this weekend.

Brother and Sister Taylor ask Edwick Zimvave, a convert of less than a year (she and her husband and 2 year old son will be sealed in the Preston Temple this November) to give the closing prayer for their baptismal service. Christine Taylor did the flower arrangements which were given to each participant in the service. These precious people are like thousands over the world who listen to the voice of the Lord, repent, make sacred covenants with the Lord, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. They experience a mighty change in their hearts, smile with warmth and radiant inner beauty, dress differently, work better, really love their families—they do everything better. They simply become more beautiful people through the sanctifying power of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Three daughters of Zion: Sister Allen, Christine Taylor, baptized the evening this picture was taken, and Sain (pronounced Shaun) Malloy whose baptism is set for the 19th of September. Sain wept for joy in our recent fast and testimony meeting when, after bearing her own sweet testimony, it was testified of her that the miracle of her personal changes for the better had strengthened the testimonies of the members and filled their hearts with love and joy for the Lord and His tender mercies.

Elder Driscroll, one of the Lord’s true messengers, Brother Taylor, a purebred Manxman, (baptized the evening this picture was taken), Daryl Cronin who is dated for baptism the 26th of September (he was in grief after his mom died just recently, was given a priesthood blessing which so comforted and touched him in his heart that he ask to have the missionary lessons and become a member of the Church. We meet with him regularly. The changes in his person are miraculous and bring great joy to us all.), and Bishop Grove from Australia who is overjoyed for these great new members coming into the Douglas ward.

All things are fulfilled by faith on the part of many. We can do nothing of ourselves. This is God’s work and His glory. No man or woman stands alone. We without them cannot be made perfect neither can they without us be made perfect.

The upper floor of this flat was occupied by Elder Hinckley and his companion in 1933. Elder Hinckley was discouraged. He wrote his father that he was coming home. His father wrote back, “Gordon, forget yourself and go to work”. And his father was not lacking in prayers for his son. Elder Hinckley chose to stay the course and millions have been and will be blessed for it. So it was for Alma the younger whose father prayed for him with much faith and diligence. The miracle of the angel coming to Alma and his companions to bring Alma to repentance and conversion was God’s alone to do by the prayer of faith of Alma’s father and others. Indeed by faith all things are fulfilled (Ether 12: 3).

Your faith and prayers on behalf of the missionaries helps bring about these miracles of conversion. Thank you so much for your faith, love and support. The Lord gifts to us each and every soul that comes into His Kingdom. The miracles that God grants for our blessing are a direct result of our collective faith, prayers, righteous example, and love. You are in our prayers for the marvelous work you are able to do in your homes, your workplaces, our Temples, and your neighborhoods as you invite all with whom your are privileged to be to come unto Christ.

We are wonderfully busy, healthy, and feel so blessed to have these great experiences together. Zion has not fled. Zion is here and there and everywhere over the earth. Love always,

Dad and Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister Allen