Thought:
“We consider that there is no instance on record where men
have been called to so great an undertaking, under the same circumstances of
poverty, sickness and distress; both ourselves, families, and brethren; but yet
through the mercy of God, we think the mission will be accomplished, and will
stand on record, for the wondering gaze of succeeding ages, and to God and the
Lamb be all the praise and glory” (Times and Seasons, vol. 1, March
1840, p. 70). So wrote Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson
Pratt, and Parley P. Pratt from New York on 19 February 1840 as they prepared
to sail to England. The preaching of the gospel in Great Britain, beginning in
the summer of 1837 and continuing to the present day, bears testimony to the
truth of this prophetic declaration. Born of two powerful apostolic missions,
nurtured by succeeding generations of inspired leadership, the Church in the
British Isles has brought forth a rich heritage of faithful Saints. Their testimony,
sacrifice, and service have proven to be important factors in ensuring the
growth of the Church and spreading the gospel throughout the world. James R. Moss, “The Kingdom
Builders,” Ensign, Dec 1979, 27
Book of the Week-Truth
will Prevail- (1987)The Rise of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
in the British Isles 1837-1987 -Editors V. Ben Bloxham, James R. Moss, Larry C.
Porter
Church History by the Year 1840
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1837-Jul 23
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D&C 112:19 & Sermons given in Preston(pop. 45K-15K in cotton
industry), England-Branch organized-oldest continuously functioning unit of
the church in the world. (1837 was also the year that 17 year old Victoria
became Queen ushering in the Victorian age. As this age began Britain
controlled over 30% of the world's trade. Great poverty and class
distinction. Only about 7% could vote.-(Kimball-midnight)
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1838-Apr. 8
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Conference at the "cockpit" in Preston - 700 in attendance.
8 hrs. Joseph F. Pres. Willard Richards 1st. William Clayton 2nd. Apostles
left from Liverpool April 20.
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1838-Sept. 24
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Willard R. married Jennetta R. Willard knew of call-so did Lucifer. (Joseph
Fielding -Hanna Greenwood-June 1838-2 children born to them in England)
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1839-Apr. 26
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12 embark on mission from Far West. Back to Quincy on May 2.
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1839-Jun. 27
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12 received training for missions from 1st Presidency.
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1839-Sept. 14-18
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Brigham, Heber leave from Montrose. $87 from $13.50. Aug. 8- Wilford
& John T. left. Aug. 29- Parley & Orson P. George A. Smith-Left Sept.
21-mistaken to be an old man-He was 22.
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1840-Jan. 18
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W. Woodruff, Theodore Turley & Hiram
Clark to Manchester & spent few days w/ Wm. Clayton then to The Potteries
where they met a recent convert -William Benbow who took them to the Herforshire
where he met "Wm's brother John and Thomas Kington leaders in the United
Brethren, a group of about 600 Primitive Methodists. The church had many
small congregations among 3 Counties,
w/ 50 preachers. Woodruff preached to them, & in 1st 30 days baptized 45 preachers &160 members. By Dec. 300
members converted, & ultimately all but 1 joined. They had success w/the
non-United Brethren, baptizing a total of 1800 people by Jan. 1841. Their chapel
in Gadfield Elm was
converted into a LDS chapel, and today is oldest extant chapel of LDS in world. John Benbow moved to USA-Sept. 1840
& pd. way for 40 of 50 who went with. He & Kington also pd. for
publication of Book of Mormon & hymn book. Wives died before arrival in
Utah. No offspring. Died in faith! Like Martin Harris.
|
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1840-Jan. 20+-
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Joseph Fielding & John Taylor to Liverpool-Converted Leonora's
brother George. Stayed until May 26. Then to Ireland, Scotland & Isle of
Man-(Cowleys, Cannons, Callisters, Quayles) Back to Liverpool Dec. 1840 until
end of mission.
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1840-Mar. 9
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Brigham, Heber, Parley, Orson, & George left NYC.-John &
Wilford left. 19 Dec. 39.
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|
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Brigham, ill, but in charge of whole mission, publication, preaching,
mostly in Manchester & Liverpool.
6 companies emigrated>800. Healing of Mary Pitt of U.B.
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|
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HCKimball assigned to tour branches established in 37. Opened
London-Pop. 1.5million w. GASmith & W-Woodruff-July 1840.
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|
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Orson & Parley-Publishing of tracts. Orson took gospel to
Scotland-Published A Interesting
Account of Several Remarkable Visions. 226 converts
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1840-Apr. 14
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12 met in Preston-1st mtg. of that council outside North America-Willard
Richards ordained.
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1840-Apr. 15
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Conf. in Preston-34 branches, 1677 members, 34 Elders, 100 Aaronic -Saints
asked to move to Nauvoo. 12 Separated.
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1840-Apr.
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Orson Hyde and John Page called to dedicate Palestine for return of
Jews.
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1840-May
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Millennial Star 1st printed in Britain.
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1840-June
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John C. Bennett arrived in Nauvoo
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1840-Mar-Aug.
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Wilford Woodruff and others baptize 1800 in 3 county area
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1840-June
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1st British Saints embark for USA
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1840's
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34,000 British Converts-about 1/4 emigrated.
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1840-Dec. 16
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Nauvoo Charter passed - Local militia, municipal court, university.
Mayor, 4 aldermen, 9 councilors. Mayor and aldermen also judges. 5 men-3
branches.
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1841-Feb
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Conference organized in London-Lorenzo Snow pres.
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1841-Feb. 1
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John C. Bennett elected 1st mayor.
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1841-Apr
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All 9 (Hyde in town) hold conference in Manchester and leave for home
on Apr. 21
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1841-Oct. 24
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Orson left Nauvoo -April 15, 1840 Left NYC Feb. 13, 1841 w/out John
Page-headed to England (3 1/2 months) dedicatory prayer on Mount of Olives in
Jerusalem- back to Nauvoo Dec. 7,1842
|
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1850's
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43.000 British converts- about 1/3 emigrated. - Over 12,000 left
|
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1860's
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Nearly 10,000 emigrated w/ 10's of thousands in the following
century.
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1. 9 of 12 served in British Isles in
1840-41 w/ Brigham as leader. John Taylor opened Liverpool, the Isle of Man
& Ireland. Orson Pratt-Scotland.
Wilford Woodruff 2 districts in west of England. PPP edited the mission
publication. HC Kimball & Willard Richards traveled throughout the land
providing supportive leadership there
and later in 1st Pres. w/ Brigham. These 9 all followed Brigham after 1844. The
3 who didn't go-didn't. The British converts also followed.
2. 65-75,000 British Saints emigrated
to America.
3. Tabernacle Choir (in part) started
from a group of Welsh Saints led by John Parry in 1849. Another Welshman, Evan
Stephens, conducted choir for many years & wrote, "Shall the Youth of
Zion Falter?" "For the Strength of the Hills" "Let Us all
Press On." Other Britishers wrote conducted choir and wrote, "Prayer
is the Soul's Sincere Desire" "Earth, with Her Ten Thousand Flowers"
"Gently Raise the Sacred Strain" "We Thank Thee O God For a
Prophet" "Oh Say What is Truth" "Lord Accept Our True
Devotion" As the Dew from Heaven Distilling" "Israel, Israel,
God is Calling" Firm as the Mountains Around Us" "Oh Ye
Mountains High" "God of Our Fatehrs, We Come Unto Thee"
"Come, Come Ye Saints"
4. Pearl of Great Price first
published in Britain in 1851 by Franklin D. Richards as a pamphlet. Also
Journal of Discourses and Millennial Star.
5. Tabernacle organ designed and
built by Joseph Ridges from England. 1st organist Joseph Daynes.
6. London Temple 1958, Preston Temple
1998
7. Currently 46 Stakes in the British
Isles
8. General Authorities born in the
British Isles: John Taylor, Charles Penrose, George Q. Cannon, John R. Winder,
Charles, Nibley, George Teasdale, James E. Talmage, Charles A. Callis
9. Willie Handcart company-mostly
Britishers.
10. The British were of Ephraim.
11.Elder
Kimball visited Chatburn and Downham in the winter of 1837. He preached to them
and found an immediate and overwhelming response. He returned 3 times, and felt
overpowered each time by the spirit of these people and of the countryside
itself. On his final visit, the children linked arms and walked with him for a
distance, singing the songs of Zion. He was so affected he had to leave the
road three times to bathe his eyes in the stream because he was weeping so
profusely. This incident left a profound impression on Elder Kimball, for, he
said, “I felt as if the place was holy ground. The Spirit of the Lord rested
down upon me and I was constrained to bless that whole region of country” When
I returned, I mentioned the circumstance to brother Joseph, who said, ‘Did you
not understand it? That is a place where some of the old Prophets travelled and
dedicated that land, and their blessing fell upon you.’” (JD, 5:22.) [Much of 1-11 taken from "The Kingdom Builders"
Ensign Dec. 1979 by James R. Moss]
In referring to this incident between his
grandfather and the Prophet, President Spencer W. Kimball told the British
Saints, “I should like to think that the whole of this great land is blessed
and still carrying a blessing from our Heavenly Father from great and holy men
who have walked upon its shores” (Official Report of the
First British Area General Conference, p. 21). [Most of 1-10 taken from Ensign, Dec. 1979,
"The Kingdom Builders" by James R. Moss
"Whereas the average life expectancy for laborers working
the land was 38, that figure dropped to 19 for the working classes in the
mills. A young girl living in Utah once said to her grandmother. It must have
hard for you to give up everything you had to join the Church and come here.
but the grandmother replied. Child you don't understand. In Manchester we had
nothing. Here we could have land. The restoration of the gospel offered people
a new world not only eternally but temporally." (TWP p. 1)
