Many of my ancestors became acquainted with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and were converted in Great Britain in the 1840's. The video linked at the end of this post describes the beginning of missionary work in Europe and the rapid growth of membership. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has stated that if the church had not encouraged immigration to America, the headquarters of the church would most likely be in Great Britain because the number of converts there exceeded those in the United States.
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| Heber C. Kimball (as portrayed in video) |
Elder Heber C. Kimball of the Council of the Twelve recalled the beginning of missionary work in Great Britain: “On Sunday, the 4th day of June, 1837, the Prophet Joseph came to me, while I was seated in front of the stand of the Kirtland Temple, and whispering to me, said, ‘Brother Heber, the Spirit of the Lord has whispered to me: “Let my servant Heber go to England and proclaim my Gospel, and open the door of salvation to that nation.
Elder Kimball immediately responded to the call of the Prophet, departing Kirtland nine days later. He led a group of six other men, three of whom had been called in a similarly dramatic manner, aboard a ship Garrick and arrived in Liverpool July twentieth.
I love the story reenacted in the video of the enthusiasm and eagerness of believers to join the church.
There were two young men who had a friendly footrace to the bank of the River Ribble to be the first to enter the waters of baptism. The joy portrayed on their faces and their warm embrace after the ordinance are choice.
Other missionaries followed the original group of seven. In 1841, President Young described the miracles that occurred within four years in this way. "We landed as strangers in a strange land and penniless, but through the mercy of God we have gained many friends, established churches in almost every noted town and city in the kingdom of Great Britain, baptized between seven and eight thousand, printed 5,000 Books of Mormon, 3,000 Hymn Books, 2,500 copies of the Millennial Star, and 50,000 tracts, and emigrated to Zion 1,000 souls, established a permanent shipping agency which will be a great blessing to the Saints, and have sown in the hearts of many thousands the seeds of eternal truth, which will bring forth fruit to the honor and glory of God, and yet we have lacked nothing to eat, drink or wear; in all these things I acknowledge the hand of God.”
Enjoy the video about the marvelous works performed in Great Britain in the early day of the restoration.
I owe a debt of gratitude to these early missionaries and converts.
