SAN FERNANDO BRANCH

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The most significant historical items about the San Fernando Branch is its contribution to the District and the first person to be baptized in Trinidad attends there. In my view the San Fernando Branch has a family-like atmosphere wherein it seems as though everybody knows everybody. This family-like atmosphere can be taken literally since the same problems that happen within a family also happen in the Branch. There has been a long period of wavering growth, but of recent the Branch has begun to grow steadily after giving some of the members away to form the Couva Branch. Some noted characteristics are;

- Many members of the Branch are part of the District leadership
- Some members have been to the temple
- The Y.S.A. are most more active in S.F. than in the other Branches
- The San Fernando Branch has the largest area to cover in visiting members and proselyting
- The best singers seem to always come out of the San Fernando Branch, including the best organists
- There is a special feeling as you enter the chapel on a Sabbath morn that can be felt in no other Branch, it is somehow unique to San Fernando

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THE CARIBS

The Carib Indians inhabited mostly the lesser Antilles and parts of the South American Continent. Their name was given to the Caribbean Sea. The word 'Carib' translates into the English word- 'cannibal' and they certainly were. They were extremely warlike and would often torture their captives and then eat them. However, the captive women were kept as slaves. The Caribs hunted with bows and arrows and with the blow gun. San Fernando Hill is one of the places believed to be a worship area for the Caribs as it was the highest point in the Southern Range. There are no pure blood Caribs alive in Trinidad or Tobago today, but the blood is mixed into many races that live here. The Carib Indians remind me of the futile times of the ending of the Book of Mormon when the Nephites were losing the war and Mormon recorded what the Lamanites did;

"And the husbands and fathers of those women and children they [the Lamanites] have slain; and they feed the women upon the flesh of their husbands; and no water, save a little do they give unto them."
(Moroni 9:8 Book of Mormon)

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There is a popular saying in Trinidad and Tobago- 'Proud to be Carib!' Interesting isn't it, since the world itself means to eat another human. Sometimes I can't believe what people say when it comes to Gospel topics that deserve sacrifice for something greater. For example, it is often said that one should pay one's tithes and offerings, but many who are not converted to the idea say,

"I have too many bills to pay" or "I cannot handle that right now I have more important things to handle"

These statements are very sad indeed when you consider how the Lord feels about the subject;

"Will a man rob God ? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."
(Malachi 3:8, KJV Bible)

The question is..is it possible for you to rob God ? Yes, if you do not pay your tithes and offerings. Wouldn't it be nice to hear members in Trinidad and Tobago saying- 'Happy to be a full tithe payer!'

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PRES. MAGINSH RAMOUTAR, the present Branch President of the San Fernando Branch and his wife, the current Young Women's President have only been members since the 18th June 1996, but have devoted their lives fully to the Gospel. Pres. Ramoutar relates their conversion,

"My wife and I sang in an ecumenical choir that accepted invitations to sing within any church that would have us. I felt that something was always missing, and one day, I heard the testimony of Br. Maharaj of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I felt inclined to find out about this Church and I accepted visits from the missionaries. We were then baptized and my first calling was to be the Second Counselor in the Branch Presidency. Now that there is a District I feel good, because I know the Church is growing and I can see a temple in Trinidad in the near future. I will never forget the blessing I received at a District priesthood training meeting - I felt so humble and happy that I shed tears of joy",

said Pres. Ramoutar commenting on his interaction with the District since he has been a Branch President. Sister Ramoutar expressed similar feelings when she stated,

"I have met with members of the District and it has been a great blessing for me because I can learn how to carry out my duties. My testimony has grown from this as it shows that heavenly Father is watching over the Church."

Pres. Ramoutar is a supervisor at S. Ramoutar and Sons and his wife works as a secretary. They are the proud parents of two children. In my observation and dealings with Pres. Ramoutar I have found him to be emotionally attached to the Gospel in such a way that will allow him to have a distinct love for his fellowman and the principles of Jesus Christ.

JENNY MAHARAJ, a member of the San Fernando Branch, is also the Y.S.A representative. She is now preparing to serve a full-time mission in Riverside, California, U.S.A. on the 13th August, 1997. Her mother, the District Young Women President, also gives her support as Jenny is the secretary in the Branch's Young Women Presidency. Speaking about her many experiences with the members over the last seven years, Jenny said,

"I have grown tremendously- seeing people's live change. Attending the Church's spiritual activities and conferences help a lot."

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JENNY RAMKISSOON, is the 1st Counselor in the San Fernando Branch's Relief Society Presidency. Jenny states,

"Its a great blessing in my life to be a member of Relief Society. I have grown a lot, especially in the area of service. Most of all I have the opportunity to share my ideas, values, testimony with other women who feel the same way."

At one of the Mission President's devotions I remembered Jenny giving a talk about Pres. Benson's (a prophet of the Church) messages being a seventh discussion for her conversion to the Gospel.

DENYSE PATTON, a faithful member of the Branch, has a strong connection with her Brothers and Sisters,

"I feel the love and warmth with the members in my Branch."

She regularly attends various activities in both the Branch and District, especially that of the Church Educational System.

PAULA A. BLAIZE, usually has a smile on her face that makes you feel like you were friends for years.

"Being a member of the Branch has helped me to be a better person, wife, and mother. It has helped me to get courage within myself so that I can teach and share the knowledge of God that He has given me. My testimony has been shaken many times, but the more it shakes, the stronger it gets. I won't leave the Church for anything or anyone. I love the Gospel and will keep the commandments."

Elder Pooran Bridgelal also known as Rodney has been on his mission to the West Indies for about eighteen months now (he returns home around March-April 1998). I met Elder Bridgelal while visiting the Arima Branch. I asked him to tell about his mission thus far and how it feels to serve in your own country. I also was curious to know if he felt 'cutout' having not gone to one of the missions abroad. Rodney, a dedicated member of the San Fernando Branch replied;

"I never really thought about going on a mission before, but I knew I had to go because the Lord provided the way. There was a lot of praying on my part -- I wanted to know if this was the right thing for me to do. I came to know that 'Thy will oh Lord be done, not mine'. Serving in my own country is great ! I have learnt to love and appreciate the people in Guyana and Barbados and now I'm learning to love my own people and I'm having a lot of success. I cannot think of any negatives being in my own country serving a mission. The positives are many ! I feel like Nephi (2 Ne. 25:5-6). Nephi understood the Jews and their lifestyles -- I understand my own people and their lifestyles and I can also get dinner appointments ! It's also great to receive mail in just two or three days. The Lord knows your potential and he knows where you will work best. If you get called here (West Indies Mission) then be even more grateful. It's not where you serve, but how you serve."

Rodney, enjoys music and reading and has his own little library going. He loves art work and collects stamps and currency from around the world. His favorite sport is volley ball and he loves the outdoors especially hiking. He considers all these loves as,

"I have a boring life- don't I?" Elder Bridgelal chose to end with his testimony.

"I am grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have received countless blessings, 'my cup runneth over'. When we lose ourselves in the service of others, then we will truly find it in Christ. The Lord has truly been with me through cloud and sunshine. My soul is at peace, I have not doubt that Jesus Christ lives and God is my Father in heaven. The priesthood is on the earth. Joseph Smith was called of God and so is Gordon B. Hinckley. I sustain him. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion and a man will get nearer to God by abiding by its' precepts than my any other book. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true and living Church upon the face of the earth."

More than ever, the District has sent many local missionaries on full-time missions. Sadly it has been more frequent among the Sisters to go than the Brethren. Not that it is unfavorable for Sisters to serve, but with the Brethren it is a commandment and with the Sisters - an option.

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