IN THE BEGINNING

LUCY JOSEPHINE PAYNE, (maiden name: Malden) who was brought up in San Fernando and worked as a seamstress beautician now came perceptibly into the picture of things, little did she know how spiritually affluent she would become.

Lucy had driven to Liz's home to visit as usual. Upon her arrival she met the affable missionaries.

"At this point it was just another two people whom I had met",

said Lucy not yet knowing about them. As Lucy saw their dauntless hard work and walking all over until their shoes and pants had to be sewn together, her views of them changed.

"My heart went out to these two young guys who were doing the Lord's work so humbly".

Lucy brought the missionaries to the South to check on some of the referrals. She did not teach with them, but instead assisted with locating addresses . She then welcomed the missionaries to her home for dinner.

(The author had previously tasted the 'hands' of Sr. Payne's cooking many times and I know of a surety that those Elders would have been elated by the occasion).

After dining, Lucy then invited her neighbor over for a discussion with the missionaries. This became the first discussion. However these missionaries only sojourned in Trinidad, so they departed without any follow-up. After a period of time, an Elder Steve W. Walters and Elder Michael Willis came to stay in Lucy's home. They later taught all the remaining lessons intensely.

Dora Dopson, who previously helped Liz recognize the truth, now did the same for Lucy.

"My whole life took on a new meaning and everything changed for me as I became more familiar with the teachings and lovely Mormon families that I met", said Lucy.

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Lucy Josephine Payne became the first baptized member in Trinidad on the 2nd June, 1977. She was Baptized by Emil Paul Dopson and confirmed by Daniel Rector, the son of Emeritus Status General Authority - Hartman Rector Jr. The baptism took place in Galfar Beach, Cedros. Thus the work of the Lord began and the angels of heaven jumped for joy.

"I felt very proud of myself on taking a stand to be baptized into the Church. I knew without any doubt in my heart that it was the true Church",

said Lucy describing how it felt to be the first member baptized in Trinidad. It rained a lot and the waters were rough, but as Lucy walked into the sea with Emil Dopson it was miraculous to her to see the waters allayed.

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The Johnson family from the U.S.A., consisting of their father; Von, mother; Marlene and their children, came to Trinidad and settled in Anna St.Woodbrook.

Von worked as an administrator for a private educational facility. Emil Dopson's had received a call from Pres. Marsh to go administer to Von, who was in the hospital for a severe appendicitis. Br. Dopson's, having authority from God through the priesthood, administered to an afflicted Br. Johnson. The next day an audacious Von Johnson was surfing on the beach as though nothing had happened. Thus, the blessings of the holy priesthood were used in benefit of the infirm to compassionately heal in the beginnings of the Church even to this day. Sacrament meetings now shifted to the Johnsons' home around March,1977.

"Their home being quite large - he decided we would have meetings there as long as he resided in Trinidad",

said Lucy Payne, quoting from her personal history notes.

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'The BORDE family which consisted of the father; Basil, mother; Felicia, and their children Anna and Jean (the author) started to attend meetings due to Basil finding the missionaries. The Bordes were then the first entire family to be baptized in Trinidad, Independence Day - 31st August,1977, at Small Boats, Chaguaramas, marked the consummated day. Liz Rogers recalls,

"Basil kept putting off the date for baptism and Elder Daniel Rector and his companion covenanted with the Lord that they would fast until the family were actually baptized. The Elders fasted for many days, but the Lord answered their prayers."

The author was only five years old at that time. Then Ulric Edison Ferran was baptized, 4 Sept. 1977. Leiba Amanda Payne, was then the next in line for baptism, followed by her father, James William Payne. Sadly James died in a tragic car accident some months later. Before James' death the sacrament meetings were exchanged Sunday to Sunday from the Bordes' home to the Paynes' house and vice versa after the Johnson family left for the U.S.A. A family called the Ferrans came into the church around this period. The Ferrans lived in Diego Martin and contributed to some of the growth of the infant Church in Trinidad.

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Rocky Imam, a witness to the early growth of the Church in Trinidad can relate to 'cottage meetings' and the 'baby' gatherings that took place in the early days.

"On December 30, 1970, I was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My conversion took place in a beautiful small mid-western town called Freeport in the state of Illinois. Like most West Indians, I had gone to the US for the purpose of furthering my education. However, The Lord, had additional plans for me. There was no organized Church in Trinidad, therefore my conversion to this "unknown religion" was of great concern to my parents."

"Shortly after my baptism, the question of the priesthood was addressed and I sought the counsel of the Branch President (Pres. Paul Neumann). The Church's policy on the priesthood at that time, precluded those of African ancestry, or any derivation or mixture thereof, from holding the Priesthood. Since Trinidad and the other islands in the West Indies were a "melting pot" of many nationalities, President Neumann counseled me to wait a year and prepare to receive my Patriarchal Blessing. During that year, I studied and read everything I could find about the priesthood and gained a deepened testimony of the restoration of The Lord's Church and his priesthood."

Top (LtoR) Mary (wife), Celeste (daughter), Vanessa (daughter)
Bottom (LtoR) Rocky, Todd (son-in-law), Madison (granddaughter), Blake (son)

"On April 6, 1972, I received my Patriarchal Blessing. Since these blessings are personal in nature I will only say that, my lineage was declared and it was revealed that such rights to the priesthood would be available to me, based on personal worthiness."

Note: Patriarchal Blessings are given to worthy members who seek more knowledge and greater enlightenment about their personal mission here on earth. These blessings are given by the laying on of hands by one in authority namely a Patriarch.

"In the fall of 1973, I attended BYU-Hawaii, and while there, received a call to serve a full-time mission. During my mission (1974 - 1976), I received many letters from my parents, detailing for me the progress of The Church in Trinidad. They received many visits from missionaries who would visit from Caracas Venezuela, (my parents never joined)."

"...I was released from my mission, was married in the Washington DC Temple that summer and began attending BYU that fall. I will always remember a letter I received from my parents announcing that the government of Trinidad & Tobago had given The Church permission to formally organize. "

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"In December of 1977 I returned home to Trinidad for my annual Christmas vacation with family. I was overjoyed to learn from my mother, that there was an LDS family in Trinidad (Bro. & Sis. Basil Borde) who lived in "Sea View Gardens" Caranage. Their home was being used for "cottage meetings". It was very exciting to be able to attend my first sacrament service in Trinidad. Having called Bro. Borde and made arrangements, I went with my brother Haydn to the Borde's home. Upon our arrival, there were no cars there. We soon discovered that the meeting would consist of my brother, Bro.& Sis Borde, their son, Jean and me. I conducted the meeting, and blessed and passed the sacrament. I then gave the main (and only) talk and bore my testimony of the gospel. That was indeed a very humbling experience and I am forever grateful to have experienced it."

"Coming home to Trinidad on a regular basis has always been special for me and my growing family. I always look forward to reuniting with those friends made over the years. I have attended meetings when the Branch moved to Tragarete Rd., as well as on Cipriani Blvd."

"Being an ardent and interested observer and not an active participant has been my lot with the Saints in Trinidad. Nevertheless it is one which is near and very dear to me. As for me, I have served in many callings in the US. I have served as a Bishop, served on Stake High Councils, YM Stake Presidency, Ward Mission Leader, Gospel Doctrine Teacher etc... I currently am the YM President of my Ward in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri. My children are all grown now and our youngest will be leaving for his mission to the Ukraine-Donetsk Mission in July of this year."

"Looking back, I can say with some certainty, that the spirit of The Lord was brooding over the islands of the West Indies in the early 70's. I was touched by that spirit and so were many others. It is a testament to the way the Lord works his little miracles of which I am humbled to be a part."

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Dale E. Miller who at this point was Mission President of the Venezuela Caracas Mission, came over to Trinidad to collaborate the establishment of a mission home.

St. Anns Ave., St. Anns, next to the Botanic Gardens vas chosen as the place for the mission home. Felicia Borde was instrumental in locating the house which had a swimming pool, many bedrooms, and spacious grounds. Jason Payne and myself were baptized in the said pool by Pres. Miller on the 25th September, 1980.

"The early decision in my mission to come to Trinidad was based on several pieces of information. The previous mission president was Venezuelan and did not feel comfortable dealing with an English speaking country. I also learned that Elder Daniel Rector had baptized Basil Borde (from the Almanac) and we had a number of membership records from Trinidad, but no contact with these members. I had a definite prompting from the Lord that I should visit the country and assess the possibility of sending missionaries and organizing a branch in Port of Spain", said Pres. Miller.

In a brief history written by my father, Basil Borde, he summarizes the scenario of the members at this time,

"Some of the first missionaries were Elders Glen Hart, Colin Bradley, Christian Patterson, Hollis Pincock, and Daniel Rector. After the Dopson family's departure, Church services were conducted by the cherubic missionaries. None of the locals had specific callings, but everyone contributed to the Church's progress."

Basil's history continues to tell of the missionaries' later return to Venezuela due to rigid government pressure. Basil's history further states,

"For a short time in 1979, Colin Mc Cue, First Secretary of the Canadian High Commission, handled the affairs of the Branch before he was sent to England He was a very knowledgeable Mormon."

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Pres. Miller paid his first visit to Trinidad on November, 25th, 1979.

"The visit was initiated in an interesting way. Elder Gene R. Cook, then the Area President, based in Lima, Peru, received a call from Church headquarters. Apparently, a Mr. Bhim Ramsaran from Trinidad and not a member of the Church, had contacted the headquarters to say that he would help the Church get established in Trinidad. Elder Cook passed the message to me", said Pres.Miller.

"So,I contacted the man by phone on the 3rd November, 1979. Mr. Ramsaran invited me to come to Trinidad and meet some 'key people'. "

"Sr.Miller and I met with Mr. Ramsaran at his office in Port of Spain. He received us very warmly. He said that he was very interested in seeing that the Church become recognized in Trinidad and Tobago by its government. He also said that once the Church was formally recognized. He would donate some land and help us build a chapel. He then introduced us to Reverend Chen, then a Senator in Trinidad. I believe that Rev. Chen was in charge of the Scottish Methodists Church in Port of Spain at that time. Rev. Chen told me that Trinidad badly needed the LDS Church. He felt that 'Mormonism' was the most vibrant Christian religion and had the best chance of changing the rapidly deteriorating moral fiber of the Trinidadian people. He said that he would help petition the government for approval of the Church in his role as Senator. He did assist in the petition and was turned down. He resigned as Senator over the denial. We were also interviewed for over two hours by the Guardian newspaper, followed by an hour long TV interview. The Baptist minister who hosted the TV program, warned us before hand that he planned to present controversial questions to us aimed at some of the 'strange' practices of the Mormon Church. Yet, when the camera started, he became very gentle, asking questions about Mormon life and why we believe as we do. The interview turned out very positive for the Church. Mr. Ramsaran also introduced us to Mr. Basil Anderson a real estate developer in Port of Spain. Mr. Anderson was very helpful to us and offered to introduce us to other government people in Trinidad and Barbados. He said he was a personal friend of the Prime Minister of Barbados. Mr. Anderson also put us in touch with a Trinidadian lawyer named Oswald Wilson, who helped in the petition (Church recognition). We never met with the Prime Minister of Barbados as it was outside of our mission area, belonging to the South East States mission under Elder Joseph Worthlin",

wrote Pres. Miller in some letters he sent to me. It seems that the Millers then returned to Venezuela.. Quoting from Pres. Miller' notes, he continues,

"January, 16, we visited Port-of - Spain, and asked Br. Basil Borde to place an ad in the newspaper announcing a meeting for all LDS members and friends. About 20 people were present, and we ordained Br. Errol Oswald Balfour to the Aaronic priesthood."

Br. Balfour was baptized in the U.S.A. previously.

"We also visited with an elderly member named, Sr.Agnes Hutchings. Sr. Hutchings was a close friend of the apostle, Elder Matthew Cowley and lived with the Cowleys for some time in New Zealand. By early April, Sr. Miller and I showed a film called, 'Mormons: Fact & Fantasy' to the Council of Churches and to answer questions asked by the local clergy. That meeting seemed to go well."

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