SANGRE GRANDE

The Sangre Grande Branch has an interesting beginning. During the time of the July 1990 insurrection, Pres. Lobley was Branch President over the Port of Spain Branch and its boundaries which extended as far as Sangre Grande. Pres. Lobley gave directions on behalf of Pres. A. Dean Jeffs, the West Indies Mission President at that time (Pres. Jeffs was stationed in Barbados). One directive during the coup was that all missionaries were to stay home.

A couple, Elder Newell Anderson and his wife, Cody Anderson, moved to Sangre Grande from Valsayn with help from the full-time missionaries living in the Sangre Grande area. Elders Peck and Gardener were the ones that located a suitable residence for the Andersons on Roy Mootoo Cove. The building was very spacious, but the couple only occupied the upstairs. The Andersons were anxious to begin their agricultural work and envisioned their move to Sangre Grande as a strategic location to start.

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Because of the long distance to Port of Spain, Pres. Lobley allowed the Andersons and the Elders to hold sacrament meeting amongst themselves. However, the growing number of investigators the missionaries were teaching, caused Elder Anderson to push for a Branch in Sangre Grande. Pres. Lobley contacted Pres. Jeffs over the matter and received instruction to pray about it. Pres. Lobley felt positive answers to his prayers and established Sangre Grande as a dependent Branch. Michael Regis, 1st Counselor in the Port of Spain Branch Presidency was sent to preside over their meetings.

An Elder Satterwaite, who came in from Barbados, became companions with Elder Peck. Together they brought in the first convert, Sharida Mohammed. Sharida was baptized in the Manzanilla sea by Elder Anderson. The author had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting when the congregation was mostly investigators. Elder Anderson later was called as the Branch President in December, 1990. The first sacrament meeting had seven attending besides the missionaries and saw an average of 85 attending on Sundays with a membership of 143. 'The highest in attendance has so far been 101.

The first Relief Society President was Sister Anderson, the first Elders' Quorum President was and still is Pres. Ramesh Gopaul. The first Young Mens' Advisor Vin Lakhan. The first Young Womens' President was Sandra Thomas. The first Primary President was and still is Claire Seale. The first Sunday School President was Kennick Suepaul. Richard Ramoutar was called to be the first 1st Counselor in the Branch Presidency (Pres. John was Branch President at the time). Many senior missionary couples have served in the Branch such as; the Andersons, the Smiths, the Morrisons, the Johns, and the Lasleys.

MEENA SEEBARAN was the next person baptized.. Meena worked with primary children a lot. Many converts quickly entered the waters of Baptism and the Branch became firm in Sangre Grande.

The RAMOUTAR family have played a great part in the overall growth of the Branch. Randy Ramoutar, who helped me with much of the history of the Branch, was also called as the first Branch Clerk and Branch Mission leader. He has also served in the Branch Presidency for quite some time. Randy shared his feelings on the progress of the Branch thus far,

"There has been a tremendous movement forward within the spiritual strength of the membership over the last five years. It brings the Spirit burning within our bosoms as we witness our sacrament meetings getting larger each Sunday."

Randy also was given the experience to preside over the Arima meetings held in Sr. Glasgow's home as Arima vas a dependent Branch of Sangre Grande Branch. He also conducted the first official public funeral on the 2nd July, 1995 for the Sangre Grande Branch. This enabled the Church to get better recognition in the area as many wanted to know about the 'new religion' known as the Mormons.

Indra Ramoutar, the first local Sangre Grande Branch Relief Society President contributes her strong testimony to the building up of Zion in her community.

Patrick David, a member of the Church for about 2 years, has had brief calls in the Branch's auxiliaries and quorums that have prepared him for his current position as 2nd Counselor in the Presidency. This learning period has enabled him to counsel members to keep the commandments and build their testimonies on Jesus Christ.

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"There was a certain brother who had many grievous spiritual problems that came upon him as a result of disobedience to a certain commandment. This Brother, needed help and guidance, as a friend and Elder of the Church, I referred to the Atonement of Christ in his particular transgression. This Brother became joyous as he discovered the miracle of forgiveness and that through repentance a burden was lifted from his shoulders ",

said Br. David as he was sharing an experience of 'opening' the heart of a member to the saving grace of the Gospel.

Some of the exciting activities the Branch organizes for its membership are; Every third Tuesday of the month the youth in the Branch host firesides for those 12 - 18 years old. These firesides offer an opportunity for the youth to fellowship with one another as they grow in the Gospel. The last Saturday of each month brings families together as they meet in the chapel for games, lessons and social fun. The Branch is currently working on having each family member do research for genealogy and family history research.

Many Mission Presidents and representatives from Puerto Rico's Area office of the Church have visited Sangre Grande and seen the marvelous potential for spreading the Gospel. Land has been allocated to build a chapel soon. The Sangre Grande Branch has had unique couples. These senior missionaries who served among them shared in instruction classes hosted by themselves. One such couple was Elder and Sr. Don Adams. The Adams were able to obtain permission from the government (April - May, 1990) to hold a training program under the fisheries support. 11 students participated in the first class until it grew to 27, of which 19 graduated.

"The class turned out to be far better than an we expected. We were told by some, that we could not hold their (students) interest for very long at a time, but at times I lectured for four hours. The Holy Ghost seemed to be present at every class. My dear wife even supplied day care for some of the children that had to come with their parents",

said Elder Adams in a letter to Pres. A. Dean Jeffs, President of the West Indies Mission at that time.

Minister Toney gave much of his time to viewing the achievements which consisted of repairing boats and boat building. Minister Toney and Pres. Kelvin Diaz, 1st Counsel or in the West Indies Mission at that time, passed out certificates at the completion of the course. The Adams resided at Toco for most of their stay in Trinidad.

Another community effort was the sponsored by the Church in Sangre Grande was started by Sr. Cora Gene Anderson and fell into the hands of Sr. John. Sr. John organized a cooking class as well. Many dresses and articles of clothing were completed by both members and nonmembers. On 22nd May, 1991, a function was held at the chapel on 86 Roy Mootoo Cove to award certificates. Once again the Church was honored to have Minister Toney present. On another occasion, a special project was designed to make a dress for each of the ladies at the Home for Senior Citizens.

"We were grateful for the opportunity to serve in Trinidad. We will take home only treasured memories of our time spent here", said Sr.John.

A couple called, the Andersons, also gave yeoman service. They taught farming to residents and helped members prepare rough overgrown grounds for food preparation and planting.

Many full-time senior missionary couples have came to Trinidad and Tobago giving of their talents, time, and love to help many find 'a better way of life'. 'Their service seems to go without notice and gratefulness, but I know, those whom they have given to of themselves will always remember them.

'Those we serve, we love." -- Robert L. Hadman ( Ensign, November 1985, pg.14.)

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KENNICK AINSLEY SUEPAUL, a long standing member of the Sangre Grande Branch, is the first local President there.

"We always try to set an example ",

said Pres. Suepaul, who also served as a Counselor in the Branch Presidency before.

"I feel very happy and we plan to reach out to as many Brothers and Sisters in Sangre Grande so that more Branches can be established in other surrounding districts ",

answered Pres. Suepaul to a question about his vision for the future of the Branch. Kennick was an elder in the Presbyterian church for five years, prior to his baptism into the Church. Speaking about his conversion and testimony, he said,

" I realized the good news of Christ is in its fulness in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. By studying the Book Of Mormon and obtaining direction from the Spirit, I knew it was true."

His change was difficult at first as he would have to surrender his position in the Presbyterian religion, but he was able to keep good relationships with his friends still there.

"I'm now a better overall teacher and I know I'm on the right path."

The Sangre Grande Branch won the second annual All Sports Day at the Eddie Hart's grounds in Trincity. Expressing the thrill of victory, Kennick said meekly,

"First of all, we did not think about winning, but enjoying our fellowship with each other. Our united Branch's effort excitingly gave us the edge on the other Branches' teams, as we had participants in all events and games."

The author, although not a great athlete, but ever present and observing of the day, did notice a strong bond between the members of that branch. They worked together like the pistons of a car together they excelled greatly. The first All Sports Day was held in April 1994 at the same grounds with the Port Spain Branch as the winner. As a stalwart member of the Church, Pres.Suepaul commented on the Branch's public image, "Although we face persecution, we harbor no ill feelings towards anyone, in fact, we only extend

I have attended the Sangre Grande many times. Each visit has always been a pleasant one for me, the members there are very friendly and humble. Their great leaders, like Pres.Suepaul, will help them to really grow firm in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"There are those who have made it the mission of their lives to try to destroy this, the work of God. It has been so from the beginning of the Church, and now, in recent times, we are seeing more of it with evil accusations, falsehoods, and innuendo designed to embarrass this work and its officers. A natural inclination is to fight back, to challenge these falsehoods and bring action against their perpetrators, But when these inclinations make themselves felt, there arise also the words of the Master healer who said: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matt. 5:4) -- Gordon B. Hinckley (Ensign, Novembex 18, pg.54,59.)

" Opposition is evidence of the truth at work." -- Mary Ellen Edmunds (LDS Speaker's Sourcebook, pg.302)

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