The Planning

When I first heard of the Prophet's going to Trinidad I was very disappointed because at the time I was living in Maryland, USA and was getting the news from Pres. Albert Alleyne, District President of the Port of Spain Trinidad District, over the phone. I wished to be in Trinidad at that time... but, some days later Pres. Alleyne called back and said in a sad tone, "The Prophet is not coming again." I was surprised, and he gave me a brief reason for the Prophet not coming.

On the 25th January, 2002 my wife, Maria, and son Felipe returned with me to Trinidad. During the 7th Annual District Conference I was once again sustained by the membership to be the First Counselor to Pres. Alleyne in the District Presidency, Emrol Gould was called as Second Counselor and Austin Mendoza as District Clerk. During this time we were made aware by the Mission President, Don Van Noy, that the Prophet would be planning to come to Trinidad once again. Of course I was very excited about the news and more especially to be in Trinidad in 'the nick of time'. This would be the first time a Prophet would visit the country. Many may say that Ezra Taft Benson visited in 1955, but at the time he was an Apostle and not the President of the Church. (See below caption from Book One)

Notice the Picture of Ezra Taft Benson meeting with the honorable Victor T. Bryant at Piarco, Trinidad, West Indies. At that time Elder Benson was an apostle and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Bryant was a Minister in Government. They were meeting on some matters of State.

Of this meeting Pres. Benson stated,

"In Trinidad, which is in the British orbit, we found a member of the Church serving as one of the secretaries of the consulate." (General Conference, April 1955).

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