IN THE BEGINNING (Cont.)

On the 15th June, 1980, the Millers visited Trinidad once again with Elder Gene R. Cook. They visited some members and toured the country. "

"During our Sunday Sacrament meeting, Elder Cook felt the inspiration to organize the group into a Branch. After interviewing Br. Balfour, we presented his name to be confirmed to the office of Elder and to be the first Branch President. Basil Borde was called to be the 1st Counselor and Branch clerk. Shortly afterwards, we sent missionary couples from North America to assist in supporting the growth and leadership development of the Branch."

By the way, the Branch in those days was called, the Trinidad Branch. Br. and Sr. Sanders followed by Murray and Wilma Richardson were the first full-time missionary couples. Br.Bruce Knudsen and his family then moved to Trinidad from the U.S.A. Br. Knudsen was an expert of tropical mosquitoes.

"We still were not authorized to send proselyting missionaries into Trinidad and Tobago, despite my many efforts to work with some of the senators in Parliament. We did have success in inviting several visitors to our meetings. As I remember we baptized Bob and Jasmine Lum, they visited the open house of the Washington D.C. temple and left their names and addresses in Trinidad. He was an architect and had designed a new race track for the government", stated Pres.Miller in his writings.

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Strong anti-Mormon headlines started to appear in the daily newspapers. Basil Borde used his 'newspaper mind' to write positive articles such as; "Meet Trinidad's first Mormons", "What Mormons Think About Blacks", "We're Not After Your Money", and "We're Not Like Jim Jones". Basil described the atmosphere in his history regarding the Church in Trinidad,

"The entry of missionaries was virtually banned and the bitter stigmas of polygamy, black hatred and domination hurled at the Branch representatives by the Senators at a Senate meeting in 1981 when the Branch sought recognition. The Senate turned down the application. Lucy Payne, Pres. Miller, and myself represented the Church at the senate."

Around this period, Br.Balfour decided to study international relations at Brigham Young University in Utah, and left with his family in 1981. For a short period, Elder Richardson was called as Branch President then Br. Bruce Knudsen followed in that same call. Elder Richardson wrote,

"We had our happiest memories in our six month stay in Trinidad. We worked with the government officials and politicians, although at that time it was not very fruitful. Sr.Felicia Borde organized youth firesides where we showed a film called, 'Man's Search for Happiness'. We spoke at many exuberant family home evenings and group sessions hosted by Sr.Lucy Payne in San Fernando."

Inspired by vision, Pres. Miller sent a letter to Elder Robert E. Wells, the Area President, on the 16th November,1981, recommending that the Church organize a West Indies Mission to encompass all English speaking islands of the Caribbean, including Trinidad and Tobago. Interesting to note, is the fact that many Church official first thought that Trinidad and Tobago was really part of Venezuela, it being so close and so far south from the rest of the islands.

"In November, 1981 we had 30 members in attendance at our Sunday meetings, with a growing number of children and young adults. We met and taught a Br. Carl Gobin on that same Sunday. President Knudsen arranged to teach him the lessons prior to baptism. On the 19th November, 1981 we met Basil Anderson, Victor Stollmeyer (another Trinidadian lawyer with more contact with parliament), and Carl Pratt (the Church's lawyer) to petition for Church recognition. Mr. Stollmeyer was to discuss the best approach with the Attorney General, Russell Martineau. Our petition was denied by the Senate committee despite assurances from the chairman, Mr. Hamilton Holder, that it would be approved. We later learned that one particular minister of another denomination had spread unfounded rumors about the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints and caused the committee to fear voting to approve", wrote Pres.Miller, who also quoted from his own journals.

By now some of the members who were faithfully attending Church were; Paynes, Bordes, Ablacks, Carl Gobin, Ishmaels, Judy Jattan (now Judy Parkes), Shiela Burnett and a few others. 'Meet the Mormons Easter Open House' at City Hall, Port-Of - Spain, in 1982, was a big success. The purpose being to help Trinidadians know explicit facts about the Church and 'weed out' the myths and rumors. Pres. Knudsen was the 'Brain Child' of the open house.

Elder Robert E. Wells arranged for Basil Borde to receive medical treatment and exigency, thus, the Bordes went to Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bordes experienced the fulness of the Church for a year and a half while abroad. Some of the Raphaels were baptized by Elder Richardson during the Bordes' stay in Utah. The Branch then grew to some degree by the time the Bordes returned to Trinidad. Pres.Knudsen's Pan American World Health assignment had ended and the Knudsen family left Trinidad. Br. Balfour was once again called as the Branch President, with Br. Reuben Raphael as his first Counselor.

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Pres.Balfour again returned to the U.S.A. with his family some time later. Many other Branch Presidents succeeded him, including Br.Reuben Raphael. 'Dora Dopson later married George Evans and they both started the first seminary classes' in Trinidad when I was about age 15. Robert and Rachel Ferran, Jasmine Raphael, Stacy and Roxanne Philip and myself were among those who attended seminary. George Evans was later called as the Branch President in San Fernando and the Branch's roots took firm hold of the ground there with an ever growing membership each Sunday. It is alleged that the Mormons attempted to establish the Church here during the late 1920s, but were rejected by the then Colonial Government. 'There is however, no written confirmation of this. I'm sure many Mormons have passed through Trinidad and Tobago early in the century such as the front cover of this book shows, but the above history has been compiled as factual to the 'actual setting-up' of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints here. I have reflected on the fact also that the major local pioneers, such as the Paynes, Bordes, and Liz Rogers and her family still live in Trinidad and contribute their experience to the Church.. I often wonder about Trinidadian members who often go abroad to live, taking with them all the special qualities learned here, when they could impart of their substance to the building of Zion in Trinidad and Tobago.

I'm happy to be among the early pioneers of this country and count it a blessing to stay right here and assist in some humble way to the growth of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints in this land.

After I obtained authorization from Pres. Roy R. Valantine to take up this history of the Saints in Trinidad and Tobago, I decided to write a few letters to gather information. I thought it would be an easy task like just looking in a dictionary for the correct spelling of a word. I soon found out this was not the case. I had to beg a few to get the information, dust off my father's journals which he kept so well, write and write back to those who moved abroad, travel to different areas of Trinidad, sort out the fact from the 'now lets see if I can remember' type of answers that were mostly based on guessing rather than knowledge of what went on during the Church's genesis here.

I must say it was a great learning experience as well as a gratifying sensation to know the work was done and many could now benefit from the history contained within the pages of this book. Orson F. Whitney once said,

"The Gospel embraces all truth, whether known or unknown. It incorporates all intelligence, both past and prospective. No righteous principle will ever be revealed, no truth can possibly be discovered, either in time or eternity, that does not in some manner,directly or indirectly, pertain to the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
(The Gospel of Jesus Christ, Elders' Journal - Southern States mission 4,no.2 (October 15, 1906).

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PRESIDENT DALE E. MILLER and his wife, LAUREL, were called to serve over the Venezuela Caracas mission from 1st July, 1979 to 1st July, 1982. At the time of their call, Pres.Miller was cofounder and chairman of Zenger-Miller Inc., a management consulting and training company, located in Menlo Park, California.

"As to how we felt about the call to Venezuela, you can imagine the feeling of being called on the phone at the office on a Monday morning to hear the voice of President Marion G. Romney, asking if you are prepared and worthy to serve as mission president somewhere in the world and probably in a Spanish speaking country! For three months, we had no idea where we were going, only that leaving our life, business, family and friends in California. Upon learning that we were being called to Venezuela and, that it included Trinidad and Tobago, we thought we had the choicest calling in the Church", said Pres. Miller.

Their call to that mission encompassed Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Surinam for the three year period. "As to testimony, each page of my journal seems to record the direct involvement of the Lord in my life. As the years go by, it becomes easier to see His hand in my salvation and in all things. Each week, I see new perspectives of divine truths. It's a very exciting process, both intellectually and spiritually, it's very energizing. Laurel and I daily count the great blessings that flow to us and our family", said Pres. Miller.

Shortly after arriving home Pres. Miller was called as the Stake President of the Menlo Park, California Stake by Elder David Haight and served in that capacity for nine years. Currently, Laurel and Dale teach in Sunday School and Dale also teaches the High Priests group. Pres. Miller now works as a management consultant.*

The Millers have had a continuing involvement with Latin America and the Caribbean. 'Their eldest son, Brett, later served a mission in Cordoba, Argentina. 'Their second son, Michael, served in the Lima Peru North Mission Their third son, Ryan, currently serves in the Guatemala City North mission. One of their daughters-in-law also served in the Colombia Cali mission, Pres. Miller later established business affiliates for his company throughout Latin America. The Millers now reside in Atherton, California, U.S.A. They have really worked hard in establishing the Church here. Many heartfelt thanks for their wonderful service to the Lord and people in this land.

"It is by serving that we learn how to serve, When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by losing ourselves, we find ourselves." - Spencer W. Kimball (Ensign, December 1974, pg. 2, 5. )

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V. MURRAY RICHARDSON was ordained a Bishop on 11th September, 1960 by Elder Spencer W. Kimball. He served for ten years as bishop and then ten years as a High Councilman and Stake Executive Secretary before coming to Trinidad with his wife, Wilma. Previously, he worked as a sales representative and real estate developer for Southern Pacific Railroad. He retired as assistant to the vice president and general manager. Wilma taught piano. After serving in Trinidad and Venezuela, they were called on two more separate missions, both in Salt Lake City, Utah. The first mission was in the Old Genealogical Library and the second, in the Family History Mission.

"In my Church calling I was asked to teach a group of service personnel at Hamilton Air Force Base north of San Francisco. It forced me to really study, work with, and ponder the Book Of Mormon. To shorten the story, it came to me as I was closing a talk in Sacrament Meeting, that I could and still can, testify completely as to the truthfulness of this book of scripture. That solidified in my heart the knowledge that Joseph Smith was and still is indeed a prophet of God. Before that, my testimony was good; I had been married in the temple, served as a Deacon, Teacher, Priest and Elder, and had no doubt as to the truthfulness of the work in which I was engaged. However, after my experience in the San Raphael Branch with those Air Force men, my testimony has done nothing but grow to new heights in fact, along with my family, it is my most prized possession !",

wrote Elder Richardson in one of his letters to me. Br.Richardson now serves as one of two Patriarchs in the Los Altos California Stake and they both work as ordinance workers in the Oakland temple Br.Richardson continues,

"Wilma is a receptionist and I am an officiator and a trainer of newly called temple workers. My best calling though, is that of a father, grandfather and great grandfather. Each of our six children have married in the temple, graduated from university with masters/doctoral degrees and are parents in their own right. Many have served missions, two are now serving, and two are awaiting assignments."

The Richardsons now live in Los Altos, California, U.S.A.

* Remember that this book was written in 1995.

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