Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord: Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission

Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission

Mission Website(s)

LDS Mission Network (Rob Jamieson)

Facebook CCM Buenos Airies

Missionary Site(s)

LDS Mission Network

LDSMissions.Com

Dear Elder--Elder Triston Goodwin

Dear Elder--Elder Adam Lane

Dear Elder--Elder Kyle Lane 2010-2012

Dear Elder--Elder David Lancaster

Dear Elder--Elder Michael Watson 2009-2011

Elder--Sister Rebecca Winters

Dear Elder--Elder Oscar Vasquez

Dear Elder--Elder Saul Velez

MissionSite Net--Elder and Sister Brent Bullough 2008-2009

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kyle Denton 2009-2011

MissionSite Net--Elder Tyler DiGiovanni 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Kaden Halsted 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Andrew Ludwig 2009-2011

MissionSite Net--Elder Kellen Nicol 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Elder Danilo Rodríguez 2008-2010

MissionSite.Net--Elder Michael Watson 2009-2011

MissionSite.Net--Elder Joshua Wray 2009-2011

My Mission Buenos Aires North

YouTube My Mission Call

Pictures

Blog(s)

Elder David Arrowchis 2010-2012

Elder Doug Gardner 2010-2012

Sister Ashley Ann Gillum 2010-2012

Sister Suzette Gonzalez 2010-2012

Sister Haley Jones 2010-2011

Sister Jessica Keele 2010-2011

Far and Wide (Elder and Sister Kroff)

Elder Zac Trayner 2010-2012

Elder Michael C. Watson 2010-2012

Elder Kyle Denton 2009-2011

Elder Justin Hales (2009-2011)

Drew's Mission to Argentina (Elder Andrew Ludwig, 2009-2011)

Sister Brillig

Stirling Adams Why the Church is More True in Argentina

The Koch Buenos Argentina North Mission

Articles

"New Mission Presidents," (former missionary Terry Dean Turk called as mission president Peru Trujillo Mission) Church News [Saturday, 27 March 2010].

"New Mission Presidents," (former mission counselor Alan Roy Walker called as mission president Mexico Monterrey East Mission) Church News [Saturday, 13 March 2010].

Kristina Cordero, "The Biggest Little Mormon Country in the World," Virginia Quarterly Review (October 2007)

LDS Newsroom Argentina News 2004-2008 (Spanish)

John L. Hart, "30 Missionaries Decades Pass While Children from Two Families Give Full-Time Service," (Sister Kathy Bahr) Church News [Saturday, 22 September 2007].

"Beauty of Detail Embraced by LDS Artist," (Elder Oscar Campo) Church News [Saturday, 30 October 2004].

Marco Antonio Panés Spano, “Strength Training,” New Era, Aug 2000, 15

Marco Antonio Panés Spano, “‘Adversity Can Make You Strong’,” Liahona, Aug. 1999, 30–31

"Bullet Removed from Missionary in Minor Surgery," (Elder Daniel B. Lawson) Church News [Saturday, 25 October 1997].

"New Mission Presidents," (former missionary Julio Cesar Alasia called as mission president) Church News [Saturday, 22 February 1997].

"First Presidency Calls New Area Authorities," (John A. Harris former mission president called) Church News [Saturday, 24 August 1996].

"New Mission Presidents," (former missionary Sister Virginia Mae Wilcox wife of Jack R. Calton who was called as mission president) Church News [Saturday, 24 February 1996].

Nestor Curbelo, "As converts increase, faithful Argentine LDS are key to future," Church News [Saturday, 17 April 1993].

"New Missionary Training Center Presidents Called," (Elder Craig K. Mayfield) Church News [Saturday, 16 January 1993].

"Bolivia Tragedy Plays Role in Conversions," Church News [Saturday, 9 September 1989].

"New Presidents Called to Lead Missionary Training Centers," (former mission president Wendall Hall called to Chile MTC) Church News [Saturday, 14 January 1989].

"South America South Area: Members bolster conversion," Church News [Saturday, 16 January 1988].

“Buenos Aires Temple Will Be a Focal Point for Saints,” Ensign, Jan. 1986, 80

“The Church in Argentina,” Ensign, Feb 1975, 21

Stories

LDS Mission Network

45 comments:

Dr. B said...: In 1994 Janette Goates Smith in her book Side by Side: Supporting a Spouse in Church Service (Deseret Book) shared this experience:

You can avoid spinning your wheels when expending energy in service if you look for some small signs that those you serve are putting forth a little bit of effort of their own.

Even humorists know you can't change someone who doesn't want to change. The quintessential therapist joke asks, "How many therapists does it take to change a light bulb?" The answer: "It depends on whether the light bulb wants to change." So it is with those we serve. We can't help someone who does not want our help.

It's difficult to know when you are putting forth all the effort, and the recipient of your service has no intention of changing. How much effort do you expend on someone before you decide you are working harder to effect change than the recipient of your service? President Joseph L. Bishop, who was the president of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, for many years, was also the mission president in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission when my husband served as a missionary there. President Bishop taught the missionaries to teach only the families who were progressing. A family was progressing if they were reading their scriptures, praying, and attending church. When a family stopped progressing, President Bishop suggested that the missionaries move on and teach someone else. In 1979 the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission was baptizing more than 200 people a month. There were plenty of people who wanted to hear the gospel. It did not make sense to deprive the honest in heart of the opportunity to hear the truth because the missionaries were too busy teaching someone who wasn't serious about changing his life.

This does not mean that investigators have to read their scriptures 365 days a year and attend church fifty-two weeks in a row. It means they needed to be making some effort of their own.

How long do we continue to work with individuals who make no effort on their own? How many times do we drop by someone's home to have the lights flicked off and our knocks ignored? The Holy Ghost will prompt us to know the occasions when we should continue our efforts, even though progress does not seem imminent.; September 25, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Dr. B said...: In BYU Studies issue 40 no. 1 there is a review of a book about the Church in Argentina:

Historia de los Mormones en Argentina

Historia de los Mormones en Argentina: Relatos de pioneros, by Néstor Curbelo (Buenos Aires, Memorias, 2000)

The challenge of producing a local or regional history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints outside of the United States is daunting, due generally to a lack of available sources. Often one must depend on locally available conversion vignettes and biographical sketches of members and leaders. A native Argentine, Néstor Curbelo, who is a Church Educational System director, has done just that. He has compiled a commendable Spanish - language history of the growth of the Church in Argentina by drawing heavily on seventy-five oral interviews obtained from critical participants and witnesses of the growth of the Church across Argentina over the past eighty years.

The author recounts several seminal events such as Parley P. Pratt's mission to Chile in 1851 and the translation of the Book of Mormon into Spanish, which was prompted by a series of remarkable impressions and dreams experienced by Militón González Trejo, who detoured to the Rocky Mountains in 1874 while on the way to the Philippines as an envoy of the Spanish Crown. Curbelo also explains that German Latter-day Saints were the first people to welcome Elder Melvin J. Ballard and his party to Argentina in the waning days of World War I and that most converts before 1950 were German or Italian immigrants.

The chapter entitled " Una iglesia de inmigrantes" (A church of immigrants) reflects this trend, suggesting that the Church in Argentina showed an interesting parallel to the history of the early Church in North America, namely, it was also primarily a church of immigrants: "Los inmi grantes generalmente están bien dispuestos a nuevas ideas y amistades. Esto resulta un ambiente propicio para escuchar a los misioneros. . . . Los primeros misioneros en Buenos Aires tuvieron mucha aceptación entre los inmigrantes alemanes, italianos y españoles" ( 87 ). ("Immigrants are generally disposed to new ideas and friendships. This results in a willing attitude to hear the missionaries. . . . the first missionaries in Buenos Aires were widely accepted by the German, Italian, and Spanish immigrants.")

After World War II, the net of the gospel spread rapidly across Argentina and neighboring Latin American countries. The next two decades saw more rapid conversion rates and ultimately the development of future leaders of the Church in Argentina and beyond, including current General Authority Elder Angel Abrea of the First Quorum of the Seventy. Curbelo asserts that these leaders were prepared for their future callings as a result of the full-time missions they served, their exposure to the English language by their North American companions, and the critical instruction they received from their mission presidents regarding Church organization and priesthood leadership.

In addition to its narrative, this small history, which runs 223 pages, also includes an impressive number of photographs (more than a hundred) documenting both local and North American missionaries, Argentine members and leaders, visits of General Authorities, church buildings (including the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple), and so on. Curbelo has taken an admirable first step toward a complete Spanish history of the Church in Argentina,filling a historical void that until recently has been largely ignored. On a personal note, as a young missionary serving in Argentina thirty years ago, I would often hear the names of the early Argentine Saints spoken of in reverent tones by local branch and district leaders. At the time, this respect piqued my desire to learn more about them, and this interest has remained with me to this day. For the same reasons, I believe many of my missionary contemporaries will appreciate this history as I did.

-Joseph E. Gonzalez; September 26, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Dr. B said...: In a Church News article Saturday, 9 September 1989 we read of an interesting conversion story:

Conversions do not usually hinge on tragedies, but in this small South American country recently, tragic occurrences played essential roles in three baptisms.

The roots of this story trace back nearly 14 years and several thousand miles from La Paz, to Brigham Young University. At that time, a Bolivian couple, Oscar and Olga Lobo, had arrived in Provo, Utah, to study, and became acquainted with Steven R. Wright, a graduate student teaching English to non-natives.

The Lobos were among Wright's students, and on several occasions, the young couple expressed to their professor the strong desire that Oscar's parents join the Church, as Oscar and his younger brother, Luis, had previously done.

During the years that followed, Oscar's parents, Jorge and Elena Lobo, had various contacts with the Church, but never arrived at the decision to be baptized. On one occasion, the couple became acquainted with Pres. Grant Faucett, former president of the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission, and his wife, Betty, as the Faucetts were traveling through South America with their son. But despite the example of their children and friends, the Lobos remained only superficially involved in the gospel.

Then a major development occurred. Tragedy struck in May 1989 and two missionaries, Elders Todd Ray Wilson and Jeffrey Brent Ball, were assassinated by terrorists in La Paz. Arrangements for the services of Elder Wilson were made in Wellington, Utah, by Faucett Mortuary, owned by Grant Faucett, the former mission president in Buenos Aires.

During the funeral, Sister Faucett was seated by Marsha Bryner, whose son, Bill, had been working in the La Paz mission office at the time of the two missionaries' deaths. While they were conversing, Sister Faucett mentioned they had some non-member friends in Bolivia whose sons were members of the Church. Sister Bryner sent a letter to her son, telling him to see if he could locate Jorge and Elena Lobo. "Maybe now is a time to see if they are ready to hear the gospel," she wrote.

When Elder Bryner received the letter, the possibility of ever finding the couple seemed minimal, as he had no current address, and La Paz is a city of more than 1 1/2 million inhabitants. The weekend after receiving his mother's letter, however, Elder Bryner was invited to attend a family home evening at the home of Jorge Vidovic, a recent convert in his area. Vidovic's mother, Celfa, who was investigating the Church, had invited two friends over to hear the missionaries' presentation. The couple was Jorge and Elena Lobo.

The Lobos readily agreed to attend Church and listen to the discussions. Soon, they asked for baptism, along with Celfa Vidovic.

This was the news that Oscar Lobo, residing in Arizona, had hoped to hear since his days at BYU. He quickly called his younger brother Luis, who lived in Alabama, to pass on the good news. Upon hearing the scheduled baptism date, Luis realized that he would be in South America on business during that time, and phoned his parents to tell them he would be there to perform the baptism.

Oscar made one more phone call-to his former English teacher, Steven Wright, now president of the Bolivia La Paz Mission.

A week before the baptisms, Elder Bryner was transferred to a city 12 hours from La Paz, and it appeared that he would be unable to attend the baptismal service of the family to whom the Lord had so miraculously led him. Once again, a circumstance intervened to allow him to see the fruits of his labors. On his way to his new assignment, a car accident injured Elder Bryner. In order to allow his fractured collar-bone to recuperate, he remained in the mission office, making it possible for him to witness the baptisms.

The Lobos and Celfa Vidovic were baptized on Aug. 2 by Luis Lobo, and confirmed by Pres. Wright, who reaffirmed that "despite the great tribulations that this mission has endured, the Lord continues to bless the missionary efforts in this part of His vineyard."; September 26, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Dr. B said...: A missionary, Daniel B. Lawson, was shot in the jaw by an assailant in October 1997:

"Bullet Removed From Missionary in Minor Surgery (Church News, Saturday, 25 October 1997).

Elder Daniel B. Lawson, a missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission who was shot in the jaw by an assailant Oct. 11, returned to Salt lake City Oct. 18 in good spirits.

The only evidence of the shooting is a slightly swollen jaw and a small circle where a .22 slug entered when an assailant fired on him. The slug was removed in outpatient surgery by a private surgeon in Salt Lake City on Oct. 20, with no complications.

"It could happen here. It could happen anywhere," Elder Lawson told reporters.["[Buenos Aires] is not a bad place for a mission."; September 26, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Dr. B said...: The Church News, Saturday, 3 June 1995 reported:

David K. Udall, 59, Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission; Mesa 20th Ward, Mesa Arizona Maricopa Stake; stake president; former stake president's counselor, Explorer adviser, bishop and counselor, elders quorum president and teachers quorum adviser; served in the Uruguay Mission, 1956-59; president and founding attorney of law firm; received juris doctorate from University of Arizona Law school, bachelor's degree in political science from BYU, associate degree from Eastern Arizona Community College; born in Thatcher, Ariz., to Jesse Addison and Lela Lee Udall; married Wilda Louise Merrill; six children. She is a ward choir director and ward chairman of family record extraction; former counselor in stake Young Women presidency, ward Relief Society president and spiritual living teacher, Primary teacher, Young Women president's counselor, Mia Maid leader, Cub Scout den mother, organist in Relief Society and Arizona Temple; program adviser at Mesa Community College; received bachelor's degree in home economics education from BYU and attended Arizona State University; born in Thatcher, Ariz., to Walter William and Wilda Arilla Farley Merrill.; September 26, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Dr. B said...: Nestor Cuerbelo wrote in the Church News on Saturday, 17 April 1993 an article entitled "As Converts Increase Faithful Argentine LDS Are Key to Future." He wrote:

Despite continued explosive growth of the Church in other South American countries, Argentina progressed slowly for many decades.

Although growth here was slower, however, it was constant and now missionaries and members are finding a significant harvest of converts as they build on this foundation of constancy.

Argentina's growth pattern was foreseen when the South American Mission was organized in Buenos Aires in 1926. Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Council of the Twelve said: "The work will go forth slowly for a time, just as the oak grows slowly from an acorn. It will not shoot up in a day as the sunflower that grows quickly and thus dies. Thousands will join here. . . . The South American Mission will become a power in the Church."

In the early decades of missionary work here, membership increased only by handfuls. In 1960, when the Church had been in Argentina for 35 years, the country had a membership of only 3,500 with no stakes. But later in the 1960s the work began to flourish. Argentina's first stake was created in Buenos Aires in 1966 and other stakes soon followed. In the 1970s, 11 stakes were created in Argentina. Four missions have been created in the past five years. One of the developments of greatest impact was the placing of a temple in Buenos Aires, dedicated in 1986.

Today, Argentina has 195,423 members in 23 stakes, a temple, a missionary training center and 10 missions. Yet in a country of more than 33 million, the Church remains comparatively small.

One General Authority has been called from Argentina, Elder Angel Abrea of the Seventy, who was Argentina's first stake president. He is now serving as president of the Mexico North Area. The first Argentine mission president was Juan Carlos Avila, called in 1974.

The influence of the members is already being felt. Argentina's members rank high in faithfulness. Many have leadership abilities that help the Church progress not only in Argentina, but also in other lands. Up to the present, 21 brethren and their wives have been called to lead missions. Increasing numbers of Argentine members are born in the Church, attend seminary, fill missions and are married in the temple.

Pres. Anthony I. Bentley of the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission, observed: "I am convinced that not withstanding the growth and progress of the past 57 years, all of that predicted by Elder Ballard will be realized.

"In reality, we are just commencing. The day will come when the members of the Church will represent a high percentage of the population of Argentina. The Church will be well-known and its members very respected. The influence of the Church will be beneficial and will be felt throughout the land."

Mission and stake leaders in Argentina today seek new ways to carry the gospel to the millions of the people who live in the great cities. Missionaries no longer go door to door because modern urban life no longer permits this form of proselyting. In the cities, many people dwell in buildings with electric security doors. Others fear opening doors to strangers. In addition, many homes are vacant in the day as people work long hours, or attend school.

This leaves local members as the key to sharing the gospel with their neighbors. "We have a good participation of the local members, especially during recent months," said Pres. Bentley. "We have noticed that there have been many baptisms, that there is an atmosphere of helping and working together of priesthood leaders and members. Members have helped in every thing we have asked of them."

In past decades, converts faced a serious hurdle as they started a new social pattern among members. Many converts simply did not join because of the difficulty of abandoning traditions and customs that did not harmonize with the gospel. Often, the bonds between the family investigating the Church and their non-LDS relatives and friends were very strong. At the same time, the fellowshipping in small wards and branches lacked necessary strength.

Today's members are a great help over this hurdle. Walter Pizzaro, baptized in 1979, recalled that when he joined the Church, he had to change many habits. "My friends also changed because my interests were different." Fellowshipping helped him make the adjustment.

Now, 14 years later, the trials of adjustment are far behind. He has filled a mission, married in the temple, is the father of three and president of a branch.

"Today, it feels natural to be a member of the Church," he said. "We no longer feel social pressure. Our relationships with our non-member families are good; they accept our customs and beliefs. Our children feel the gospel is the basis for their lives and the standard by which they develop relationships at school."

His wife, Mariel, added, "It seemed strange for our 5-year-old, that her teacher at school did not know about the Book of Mormon. She begged me for a copy of the Book of Mormon to give to her teacher."

Another convert, Mario Truman of Jewish ancestry, was baptized with his family in 1988. A friend at work invited him to Church and introduced him to the missionaries. After his family was baptized, the friend helped integrate them into the ward and its activities.

Today, a bishop's counselor in the Lugano Ward, Brother Truman commented, "The gospel has increased my love and respect for our family."

Ward members were also there to support the Truman family as they went to the temple, a strengthening experience for all.

"When we went to the temple, that experience awakened in us the sense of eternal life, and an understanding that through the ordinances I am able to continue the unity of family with my wife and my children," said Brother Truman. "We also have covenanted personally with our Heavenly Father to work in His service with all our strength."

Another source of strength are the lifetime members now serving as leaders. An example of these is Bishop Benjamin Rodriguez of the Vicente Lopes Ward in Buenos Aires, who was born in the Church. His parents were baptized in 1950. He attended Primary, seminary, Young Men, filled a mission, married in the temple and, at age 28, was called as bishop. Regarding his preparation, he said:

"In my work in the bishopric and especially with the youth, it helps me very much to remember the experiences I had as a child and youth in the Church.

"I remember when we as children knelt during family prayer and I remember family home evening. I also remember the example of my parents in maintaining fidelity and constancy in the Church."

His wife, Andrea, also a lifetime member, agreed: "Seeing my mother being dedicated to her callings and at the same time putting the family first has been a great example that I have tried to assimilate in my life. I now try to put that example into practice.

"Without her example, perhaps today I would be more worried about obtaining a good job than about my own family. The gospel has given me a clear vision of the value of its transcendent truths."

Through leaders such as these and members who extend the hand of fellowship, strong bonds of unity continue to be welded between the long-time members and converts. Increases in missionary work, predictably, will continue to build upon the foundation of faithful members.; September 26, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Dr. B said...: In the Saturday, 16 January 1993 Church News in "New Missionary Training Center Presidents Called" we read:

Craig K. Mayfield, 65, was born in Aberdeen, Wash., to John Bowman and Doris Niess Mayfield (Brandis). He married Elaine Ward, and they are parents of three children, and members of the Edgemont 4th Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont Stake. The Mayfields are serving full-time in the Chile Vina del Mar Mission, and previously served in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. He is a former stake president's counselor, bishop and temple worker. He is a retired educator who received bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Oregon and a doctorate from BYU.

Sister Mayfield was born in Declo, Idaho, to George David and Callie Belle Arrington Ward. She attended Utah State University and has served as a ward Relief Society president, counselor and teacher and temple worker.; September 26, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Dr. B said...: Francis M. Gibbons, Spencer W. Kimball: Resolute Disciple Prophet of God, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1995:

In May 1964, Elder Kimball commenced his work with a seminar in Buenos Aires for the seven mission presidents and their wives. Then during a period of five weeks, he crisscrossed the continent, holding missionary and general meetings in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador. He was impressed by the rapid growth that had taken place since his tour several years before and encouraged by the potential for future growth. Frequently as he conducted interviews, he heard stories of faith and integrity that rivaled those of the early Latter-day Saints in the United States. This gave him confidence that the Church would thrive there and would become a powerful force in the cultural life of South America, as it had already done in North America.; September 28, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Dr. B said...: In the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, New York: MacMillan, 1992 we read:

ARGENTINA. The Church was brought into Argentina by a few German immigrant families who had joined it in their homeland before they emigrated. They felt they needed to await the visit of Elder Melvin J. Ballard before they could baptize even their family members who wished to join. The first non-German convert was baptized in 1926. For several years the missionaries spoke only English and German, but emphasis was later placed on teaching also in Spanish, and that brought limited success to the Church's missionary work. The Church grew slowly in Argentina until the 1960s, when the emphasis was placed on training local member leadership. Mission President C. Laird Snelgrove organized a mission council in which he trained most of the men who would become the leaders during the next twenty-five years. A member of that council, Juan Carlos Avila, became the first native Argentine to be called as a mission president (1974-1977). The first Argentine stake was organized on November 20, 1966, presided over by a local priesthood bearer, Angel Abrea, who in 1976 would become the first Latin American General Authority. The mission was first divided in 1962, and by January 1991 the Church had nine missions, 64 stakes and districts, and over 500 wards and branches serving Argentina's 171,000 Latter-day Saints. The Buenos Aires Temple was dedicated on January 17, 1986, by Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. Angel and Maria Victoria Chiapparino Abrea were the president and the matron. Argentina received a missionary training center in Buenos Aires, established in 1986 under President Lyman Sidney and Sister Afton Kartchner Shreeve, who had served missions in Argentina and presided over the Uruguay Mission.; September 28, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents Receive Assignment," Church News [Saturday, 3 March 2007] 8:

South America South Area
Argentina Buenos Aires North
New President Current

Shane V. Argyle Alan L. Wilkins; September 28, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 3 March 2007] 12:

Heidi and Shane V. Argyle

Shane Vernon Argyle, 38, Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission; Prairie 8th Ward, West Jordan Utah Prairie Stake; Varsity Scout Coach; former high councilor, bishop and counselor, stake mission president, ward mission leader and missionary in the Costa Rica San Jose Mission. CEO of IntegraCore Inc. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Bill L. and Junette Shepherd Argyle. Married Heidi Baker, four children.

A ward Relief Society president, Sister Argyle is a former Relief Society teacher, gospel doctrine teacher, visiting teaching coordinator, family history consultant and missionary in the Italy Milan Mission. Born in Logan, Utah, to Barry Alden and Tamra Hyde Baker.; September 28, 2008 at 7:55 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 15 April 2006] 12:

Raul Hector Spitale, 45, Argentina Bahia Blanca Mission; Rosedal Ward, Cordoba Argentina West Stake; stake president; former counselor in a stake presidency, counselor in the Argentina Cordoba Mission presidency, stake mission president, bishop and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. Owner of Motorcycle Parts Shop. Born in Cordoba, Argentina, to Lorenzo and Maria Bettega Spitale. Married Monica Beatriz Francisquetti, five children.

A ward Relief Society president, Sister Spitale is a former stake and ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, temple ordinance worker and seminary teacher. Born in Malargue, Argentina, to Florentino and Antonia Mariette Olmos Francisquetti.; September 28, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 25 February 2006] 12:

Sergio Alberto Gomez, 40, Belgrano Ward, Buenos Aires Argentina Belgrano Stake; counselor in the stake presidency; former bishop, branch president, high councilor, multi-stake public affairs director and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. Membership Area Supervisor for the Church. Born in Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Jose Sergio and Ruth Esther Teves Gomez. Married Maria Alejandra Paez, five children.

A ward Primary president, Sister Gomez is a former ward Primary and Young Women president, counselor in a ward Primary presidency, Sunday School teacher and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. Born in Resistencia, Chaco, Argentina, to Rafael Camilo Paez and Blanca Evarista Lezcano.; September 28, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 18 February 2006] 12:

Jeffrey Charles Elmer, 51, Spokane 6th Ward, Spokane Washington Stake; counselor in the stake presidency; former bishop, stake mission president and missionary, stake clerk, elders quorum president and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. Physician, Spokane Respiratory Consultants. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Golden Charles Elmer and Dorothy Jean Peterson Elmer Woolf. Married Margaret Susan Wilder, five children.

A seminary teacher, Sister Elmer is a former stake missionary, counselor in a stake Young Women presidency, counselor in ward Young Women and Primary presidencies, nursery leader, and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. Born in Palo Alto, Calif., to Arthur Graves and Virginia Sawyer Parker Wilder.; September 28, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Dr. B said...: "Beauty of Detail Embraced by LDS Artist," Church News [Saturday, 30 October 2004] 6:

For Oscar Campos, it's the Lord that's in the details.

The LDS artist from Argentina is gaining global renown for his wildlife paintings. Collectors and gallery owners appreciate Brother Campos' extreme attention to details — demonstrated perhaps in the delineated hairs sprouting atop a cougar's paw or the colorful plumage of a falcon's wing. But the details extend beyond a painting's most prominent subjects.

"I'm also capturing the small rocks and the fauna," he said.
Such unassuming objects, he explained, reflect the beautiful yet often unnoticed details crafted by the Creator.

Creating art has allowed Brother Campos, 40, to earn a living while simultaneously celebrating the vast, detailed works of the Lord.

"Painting is a spiritual experience," he said. "I'm simply copying the patterns of nature.

Whenever Brother Campos begins a new painting he's reminded of the steps found in Creation — the divine process of joining an immortal spirit to a mortal body. His works are developed in deliberate, incremental stages.

"When I am painting, say, a cougar or an eagle, I'll start with a transparent base that serves almost as the animals' spirit. Later, I'll add the more defined (physical) parts."

Like many artists, Brother Campos felt early in life the impulse to capture the world around him on paper and canvas. A native of Cultral-Co along a stretch of Argentina's Patagonia, young Oscar began drawing in elementary school. He and his family regarded his artistic interest as a hobby. There were few professional opportunities for fine artists in rural Argentina. Like many of his schoolmates, Oscar wanted to be a professional soccer player.

When he was 14, a group of Church members rented a small building in front of the Campos' home. Each Sunday the branch would gather inside the building for LDS worship. Intrigued, Oscar accepted the branch members' invitation to join them for Sabbath services. Soon he was listening to the missionaries.

"Their discussions changed my life. I was given a completely different vision of my life," said Brother Campos, recalling his conversion.

After graduating from high school, Oscar took what work he could find before landing a job painting letters on business advertisements and posters. While not ideal training for a would-be naturalist artist, the lettering job provided the funds he would need for full-time missionary work. At 22, he accepted a call to the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. Lessons of patience and persistence learned amid daily proselytizing "have helped me throughout my life."

After his mission, Brother Campos returned to his brushes and paints. His raw talent caught the attention of prominent Argentinian artist Axed Amuchastegui, who would become a friend, instructor, mentor and critic. It was Amuchastegui who inspired him to commit himself to his talent and develop as an artist.

Soon Brother Campos began selling paintings. He realized he could, indeed, earn a living through his art. Today he enjoys national regard in Argentina and a growing worldwide audience. His paintings can be found hanging in galleries throughout Europe and the United States. He recently completed a two-month stay in the American West, spending time in Wyoming's Grand Tetons, Utah's Zion National Park and other locales. There, he shot countless photos of wildlife and vast landscapes to inspire future paintings. He was especially fascinated by buffalo.

"Oscar is an artist that doesn't like to leave any (detail) out — he includes everything in his paintings," said LDS artist Jim Wilcox, who represents Brother Campos in his gallery in Jackson, Wyo.

A father of four, Brother Campos says his art work is an extension of his gospel beliefs. He has painted a portrait of the prophet Mormon gripping tight to the golden plates. The painting has hung in the Museum of Church History and Art and now belongs in a private collection.

"My testimony is the basis of my work."; September 28, 2008 at 8:17 PM
Dr. B said...: "Obituaries," Church News [Saturday, 24 July 2004] 13:

Carolyn C. Bishop, 69, who served with her husband, Joseph Layton Bishop, when he presided over the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission from 1979-1982, died June 14, 2004, in Salt Lake City. She also served with him when he presided over the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, and later in Central America as an area welfare agent.; September 28, 2008 at 8:18 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 17 April 2004] 12:

Margaret and Alan Wilkins

Alan Lee Wilkins, 56; Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission; Edgemont 7th Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont Stake; Aaronic priesthood adviser; former stake president, high councilor, bishop, gospel doctrine teacher and missionary in the Andes Mission. Academic vice president at BYU. Born in Oakland, Calif., to Ernest J and Maurine Lee Wilkins. Married Margaret Allred, eight children.

A Primary teacher, she is a former counselor in stake and ward Young Women presidencies, ward Relief Society and Primary president and Relief Society teacher. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Victor Dean and Alice Jackson Allred.; September 28, 2008 at 8:19 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 13 March 2004] 7:

Kenneth Lynn Openshaw, 59; Chile Santiago South Mission; Trumbull 1st Ward, New Haven Connecticut Stake; bishop; former temple ordinance worker, counselor in a stake presidency, stake and ward Young Men president and missionary in the North Argentine Mission. Consultant. Born in Bremerton, Wash., to Herbert LaVaughn and Shirley Alice Eite Openshaw. Married Lucy Charlotte Wright, five children.

A counselor in a ward Primary presidency and a temple ordinance worker, she is a former stake Relief Society president, stake missionary, Primary chorister and Relief Society teacher. Born in New York City, N.Y., to Jay William and Emily Fox Clawson Wright.; September 28, 2008 at 8:20 PM
Dr. B said...: "New and Returning Mission Presidents for 113 Missions," Church News [Saturday, 6 March 2004] 8:

Mission
New President Returning President
Argentina Buenos Aires North
Alan L. Wilkins D. Clive Winn II; September 28, 2008 at 8:22 PM
Dr. B said...: John L. Hart, "Local Histories Preserve Faith, Legacy," Church News [Saturday, 31 January 2004] 10:

Local Church history should be preserved to help longtime members retain their identity, and to introduce new members to their spiritual legacy, said Nestor Curbelo, historian of the South America South Area.

Brother Curbelo, who recently delivered a significant number of artifacts and histories to the Family and Church History Department, said that local histories preserve for later generations the faith, service and the way of life of Church members, according to scriptural mandate.

Church history brings with it a sense of unity to members, he said.

"When members maintain an identity as a Latter-day Saint, that identity rises above cultural and national differences — they have a common history," he said. History should be used to promote the faith of members, said Brother Curbelo, an institute director and former stake president.

Local histories include contributions of mission presidents, General Authorities who have visited, and local pioneers and their lives of faith. As the sacrifice, devotion of the pioneer members are learned by new members, they will understand the value of the gift of early members, said Brother Curbelo.

When a local history is collected, it should be published and distributed among the members. The sources and artifacts, including histories, should be given to a Church repository for preservation, such as the Family and Church History Department, or the BYU archives, he said.

Brother Curbelo has written books in Spanish containing histories including anecdotes, photos and early sources about Church history in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. He uses proceeds from the sales of the books to fund additional research. The many photos and oral histories of pioneer members make the books especially informative.

Among the anecdotes is the account of the first baptisms in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The histories note that Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve, accompanied by Elders Rey L. Pratt and Rulon S. Wells of the First Council of the Seventy, arrived in the Port of Buenos Aires Dec. 6, 1925, at about 7 a.m. following a pleasant voyage from North America. They were welcomed at the dock by Wilhelm Friedrichs, Emil Hoppe, their wives and various friends who had an interest in the restored gospel.

A meeting was held the following day at the home of Ernst Biebersdorf. One of his daughters, Maria, remembered in a 1997 interview that her parents had resolved after the first World War to come to Argentina, where circumstances were better than in Germany. They had been in Argentina for two years when Emil Hoppe and Wilhelm Friedrichs gave them a copy of the Book of Mormon.

"My father read the book of Mormon and felt that this was the true Church and was later baptized," she said. "When I was a child, I knew Elder Ballard as a kind person. I received a blessing from Elder Wells."

On Saturday, Dec. 12, in Rio del Plata, Elder Ballard baptized Ernst Biebersdorf. Also baptized were his sister Anna Kullick, her husband, Jakob Kullick, and their daughter, Herta; and Elisa Plassman. They were all confirmed the next day at the first sacrament meeting held in South America.

Two weeks later, on Christmas day, Elder Ballard dedicated the land of South America for the preaching of the gospel.

In Uruguay, the first converts were Avelino Juan Rodriguez and his wife, Maria Esther Rizzo de Rodriguez. Frederick S. Williams, a former missionary in Argentina who had been set apart in 1948 to preside over the new Uruguayan Mission, met Brother Rodriguez at a store. The young man wanted to know more about the Williams family because they seemed so close and amiable. He was invited to a meeting at the mission home for the explanation. He and his wife later accepted the gospel and were willing to be the first converts of their nation.

They were baptized Nov. 14, "a historic day for the Uruguayan Mission. . . . The ordinance was completed in the Carrasco Arroyo at a point not far from the mouth of the river," noted the history. "It was a beautiful summer day, ideal for baptisms."

The group "enjoyed a marvelous spiritual experience as several testimonies were born that day."

Frederick S. Williams made the first missionary visit to Paraguay in 1939 when he traveled through Asuncion en route to visit the native Indians in Formosa, Argentina.

He described Asuncion as a city a century behind. Only one public building had been constructed in a hundred years as leaders had funneled their resources into military defense rather than development. Yet, "never in my life had I seen people more happy and satisfied," he said. "I was enamored with the Guarani people and I wondered how long it would be before they could receive the gospel."

His question was answered through a young former Argentine missionary, Samuel J. Skousen, a U.S. Air Force pilot. The missionary-minded young man, stationed in Brazil, met Carlos Alberto Rodriguez and his fiancee, Mafalda Figueira. The young couple began attending Church. They were married in 1946 and reassigned to Asuncion. Brother Skousen was also transferred to the same location, and when all attended a conference in Argentina, the then-Mission President W. Ernest Young wrote the First Presidency asking permission to baptize the couple.

Permission was received and Brother Rodriguez was baptized by Brother Skousen on Aug. 21, 1948. Sister Rodriguez, who was expecting, was baptized after the birth of the baby the following January. The first missionaries arrived in Paraguay in 1950 and the Church was soon established.; September 28, 2008 at 8:25 PM
Dr. B said...: "New and Returning Mission Presidents 1998," Church News [Saturday, 7 March 1998] 8:

Mission New President Returning President
Argentina Buenos Aires North
Craig N. Hansen David K Udall; September 28, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Dr. B said...: "From around the World," Church News [Saturday, 20 December 1997] 10:

South America South Area
Mission legacy remembered

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - More than 1,000 attended a recent ``Missionary Legacy'' night held for returned and future missionaries and their families of 10 stakes in the Buenos Aires area.

All three of the area presidency spoke: Elder Carlos H. Amado and Elder Richard D. Allred, both of the Seventy, and Elder Hugo A. Catron, an Area Authority Seventy. They expressed appreciation for the contributions of the returned missionaries and encouraged potential missionaries to prepare for service. Several local leaders who had served missions also expressed appreciation for their opportunity to serve.

Three early Argentine missionaries, Elders Roberto Antonietti, Antonino Gianfelice and Jose Pedro Alvarez, attended the meeting.

After the addresses, missionaries held brief mission reunions. The area presidency also met with the future missionaries to help strengthen their resolve to serve missions.; September 29, 2008 at 8:17 AM
Dr. B said...: "New missionary training center presidents," Church News [Saturday, 13 December 1997] 10:

The First Presidency has called new presidents for eight of the Church's 17 missionary training centers around the world. The new leaders and their wives will be trained at the Provo, Utah, Missionary Training Center on Jan. 12-16, and will begin their two-year terms of service following their training.

The new presidents and their wives and assignments are: Joseph K. and Ida Jean Lewis Taylor Brooks, Buenos Aires, Argentina; W. Roy and Evelyn Marie Johnson Brown, Hamilton, New Zealand; Joseph W. and Enid Caldwell Cook, Lima, Peru; Gil Whe and Young Ae Kim Do, Seoul, Korea; Fernando R. and Enriqueta Pina Gomez, Santiago, Chile; Ronald E. and Helen Winona Murdoch Hall, Guatemala City, Guatemala; David E. and Sylvia Lunt Heywood, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Masaru and Junko Wakamatsu Tsuchida, Tokyo, Japan.Joseph K. Brooks, 60, was born in St. George, Utah, to William and Juanita Leavitt Brooks. He married Ida Jean Lewis Taylor, and they are the parents of five children. They are members of the Mapleton 6th Ward, Mapleton Utah North Stake. Pres. Brooks is a former president of the Uruguay Montevideo Mission, counselor in a stake presidency, bishop and counselor, high councilor, and missionary in the Spanish American Mission. He has worked as a manager of security operations, an in-field service representative for the Missionary Department, a private investigator, and a special agent for the FBI.

Sister Brooks was born in Rock Springs, Wyo., to John W. and Grace Bernice Lewis Taylor. She has served as a technical director of a family history library, counselor in a Relief Society presidency, president and counselor in the Primary, Young Women president, and with her husband in Uruguay.; September 29, 2008 at 8:19 AM
Dr. B said...: "200,000 in Six Nations Hear Prophet," Church News [Saturday, 23 November 1996] 8:

Continuing his practice of visiting as many of the members as possible, President Gordon B. Hinckley traveled to 10 cities in seven countries Nov. 7-18, and spoke to an estimated half a million members.

In addition to speaking at various assemblies, he broke ground for two new temples, inspected the construction of the Bogota Colombia Temple, met with Dr. Jose Camilo Cardoso of the Argentina National Registry of Religions, and was interviewed for a national television news program in Chile.Among those he addressed were some 4,139 missionaries of 22 missions.

President Hinckley, 86, began his South American tour on Friday, Nov. 8, in Bogota, Colombia, where he spoke to 7,100 members and 306 missionaries in the Colombia Bogota Mission. He traveled to Lima, Peru, on Saturday, Nov. 9, where in two sessions he spoke to 28,000 members and 380 missionaries in the Peru Lima Central, East, North and South missions. (See Nov. 16, 1966, Church News.)

He arrived in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on Sunday, Nov. 10 where he spoke to missionaries of the Bolivia Cochabamba Mission, and to some 3,500 members at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple. He arrived in Santiago, Chile, on Monday, Nov. 11, where he spoke to 50,000 members in two sessions. He also spoke to xxx missionaries of the Chile Santiago South, West, and North missions and the Chile Vina del Mar Mission.

The following day, Tuesday, Nov. 12, he arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and spoke to 700 missionaries of the Argentina Buenos Aires North, South and West missions, and to 50,000 members.; September 29, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Dr. B said...: "First Presidency Calls New Area Authorities," Church News [Saturday, 24 August 1996] 10:

South America South Area

- Antonio Cappi, 47, Montevideo, Uruguay; regional materials manager for Area Office; former Argentina Trelew Mission president, stake president, bishop, and high councilor; married Maria Graciela Franzia.

- Jorge L. Del Castillo, 42, Buenos Aires, Argentina; owner of dry cleaning business; former member of area public affairs committee, regional representative, stake president, and high councilor; married Olinda Beatriz Boveda.

- Claudio D. Zivic, 47, Buenos Aires, Argentina; accountant for El Quebracho Farm; former regional representative, stake president, bishop, and high councilor; married Dina Noemi Alvarez.; September 29, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Dr. B said...: "Church Names Area Authorities," Church News [Saturday, 5 August 1995] 7:

South America South Area

Juan Carlos Castillo C., 39, Santiago Chile; chief engineer for mining company; regional representative, former stake president, high councilor, and bishop's counselor; married Luisa Milla Penaloza.

Hugo Angel Catron, 59, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Church Educational System institute director; regional representative, former regional representative, stake president and counselor, and bishop; married Maria Rosario Surache.

Julio Humberto Jaramillo, 62, Santiago, Chile; telephone company manager; stake president, former regional representative, stake mission president's counselor, and bishop; married Maria de las Mercedes Meza.

Eduardo Adrian Lamartine, 46, Santiago, Chile; Church Educational System director for Chile; regional representative, former stake president, high councilor, and bishop; married Luisa Esther Maureira.

David Lopez, 41, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Church area materials management manager; stake president, former stake president's counselor, high councilor, and branch president; married Ana Maria Avila.

Claudio Daniel Signorelli, 48, Santiago, Chile; Church Educational System coordinator; regional representative, former stake president, mission president, and stake mission president's counselor; married Lidia Colima Parada.

Jorge W. Ventura, 47, Montevideo, Uruguay; Church Educational System director; former regional representative, stake president, high councilor, and bishop's counselor; married Lilian Fernandez.

Jorge Fernando Zeballos, 39, Antofagasta, Chile; engineer for mining company; regional representative, former stake president and counselor, high councilor, and bishop; married Carmen Gloria Valenzuela.; September 29, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents Assigned," Church News [Saturday, 18 March 1995] 8:

SOUTH AMERICA - 13

MISSION NEW PRESIDENT RETURNING PRESIDENT
Argentina Buenos Aires North

To be announced Anthony I. Bentley Jr.; September 29, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 28 January 1995] 5:

Scott B. Hardy, 50, Bluffdale 1st Ward, Bluffdale Utah Stake; priests quorum adviser; former stake president's counselor, high councilor, bishop and counselor, assistant military group leader, and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires Mission; contractor; received bachelor's degree from Utah State University; born in Murray, Utah, to Prescott William and Sarah Alice Bangerter Hardy; married Linda Kay Haueter, five children. She is a Primary teacher; former stake Young Women president, Primary president, Young Women president, Relief Society president and counselor, Mia Maid adviser, and Sunday School teacher; attended BYU; born in Heber City, Utah, to William Ray and Deaun LaRae Clyde Haueter.; September 29, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Dr. B said...: "In Many Countries, Great Effort Made to Attend the Temple," Church News [Saturday, 25 June 1994] 7:

Buenos Aires Argentina Temple

- Ground broken April 20, 1983, by Elder Bruce R. McConkie.
- Dedicated Jan. 17, 1986, by President Thomas S. Monson.
- Located in the suburb of Ciudad Evita, southwest of Buenos Aires.
- Modern adaptation of earlier six-spired design.

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - Primary children all over the world were studying about the temple in 1993. It was the same in Argentina. We had groups of Primary children visit us every Saturday during the entire year.

One Saturday, we had a visit that touched the lives of those in the temple that day. Two large tour buses pulled up at the curb. We could see children alighting and forming rows, with three in a row, holding hands and slowly moving toward the temple gates. There were nearly 100 of them, and they were singing, ``We love to see the temple.''

All were dressed in white, the girls in long dresses with white ribbons in their hair, and the boys in white trousers and white shirts. The leaders accompanying them were also dressed in white. As the children entered the temple annex, they stopped singing and moved with great reverence toward the annex room where they were to assemble.

We noticed the details of their preparation. Each child was also wearing white shoes or had white terry cloth shoe covers. Each was carrying a booklet that he or she had made that had a picture of the temple on the front, and special things inside, such as a copy of the dedicatory prayer offered by President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency; the history of the temple and the site; teachings about the temple; and his or her own impressions of the temple.

Not a word was spoken. During a short service, the children, ages 3-12, gave the prayers, testimonies and sang. As we invited them to return to the temple to be sealed with their families and receive their own ordinances, the love in the room was overflowing. As each child left, still completely reverent, each one gave me and my wife, Joanne, a kiss on the cheek.

These children returned home and bore their testimonies in their wards. We have since heard reports of several of the testimonies. In addition, several of the children have returned with their families to be sealed in the temple. - Pres. Rodolfo Mortensen and Sister Joanne Mortensen, temple matron, Buenos Aires Argentina Temple.; September 29, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Dr. B said...: Nestor Curbelo, "As Converts Increase,Faithful Argentine Are Key to Future, Church News [Saturday, 17 April 1993] 11:

Despite continued explosive growth of the Church in other South American countries, Argentina progressed slowly for many decades.

Although growth here was slower, however, it was constant and now missionaries and members are finding a significant harvest of converts as they build on this foundation of constancy.Argentina's growth pattern was foreseen when the South American Mission was organized in Buenos Aires in 1926. Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Council of the Twelve said: ``The work will go forth slowly for a time, just as the oak grows slowly from an acorn. It will not shoot up in a day as the sunflower that grows quickly and thus dies. Thousands will join here. . . . The South American Mission will become a power in the Church.''

In the early decades of missionary work here, membership increased only by handfuls. In 1960, when the Church had been in Argentina for 35 years, the country had a membership of only 3,500 with no stakes. But later in the 1960s the work began to flourish. Argentina's first stake was created in Buenos Aires in 1966 and other stakes soon followed. In the 1970s, 11 stakes were created in Argentina. Four missions have been created in the past five years. One of the developments of greatest impact was the placing of a temple in Buenos Aires, dedicated in 1986.

Today, Argentina has 195,423 members in 23 stakes, a temple, a missionary training center and 10 missions. Yet in a country of more than 33 million, the Church remains comparatively small.

One General Authority has been called from Argentina, Elder Angel Abrea of the Seventy, who was Argentina's first stake president. He is now serving as president of the Mexico North Area. The first Argentine mission president was Juan Carlos Avila, called in 1974.

The influence of the members is already being felt. Argentina's members rank high in faithfulness. Many have leadership abilities that help the Church progress not only in Argentina, but also in other lands. Up to the present, 21 brethren and their wives have been called to lead missions. Increasing numbers of Argentine members are born in the Church, attend seminary, fill missions and are married in the temple.

Pres. Anthony I. Bentley of the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission, observed: ``I am convinced that not withstanding the growth and progress of the past 57 years, all of that predicted by Elder Ballard will be realized.

``In reality, we are just commencing. The day will come when the members of the Church will represent a high percentage of the population of Argentina. The Church will be well-known and its members very respected. The influence of the Church will be beneficial and will be felt throughout the land.''

Mission and stake leaders in Argentina today seek new ways to carry the gospel to the millions of the people who live in the great cities. Missionaries no longer go door to door because modern urban life no longer permits this form of proselyting. In the cities, many people dwell in buildings with electric security doors. Others fear opening doors to strangers. In addition, many homes are vacant in the day as people work long hours, or attend school.

This leaves local members as the key to sharing the gospel with their neighbors. ``We have a good participation of the local members, especially during recent months,'' said Pres. Bentley. ``We have noticed that there have been many baptisms, that there is an atmosphere of helping and working together of priesthood leaders and members. Members have helped in every thing we have asked of them.''

In past decades, converts faced a serious hurdle as they started a new social pattern among members. Many converts simply did not join because of the difficulty of abandoning traditions and customs that did not harmonize with the gospel. Often, the bonds between the family investigating the Church and their non-LDS relatives and friends were very strong. At the same time, the fellowshipping in small wards and branches lacked necessary strength.

Today's members are a great help over this hurdle. Walter Pizzaro, baptized in 1979, recalled that when he joined the Church, he had to change many habits. ``My friends also changed because my interests were different.'' Fellowshipping helped him make the adjustment.

Now, 14 years later, the trials of adjustment are far behind. He has filled a mission, married in the temple, is the father of three and president of a branch.

``Today, it feels natural to be a member of the Church,'' he said. ``We no longer feel social pressure. Our relationships with our non-member families are good; they accept our customs and beliefs. Our children feel the gospel is the basis for their lives and the standard by which they develop relationships at school.''

His wife, Mariel, added, ``It seemed strange for our 5-year-old, that her teacher at school did not know about the Book of Mormon. She begged me for a copy of the Book of Mormon to give to her teacher.''

Another convert, Mario Truman of Jewish ancestry, was baptized with his family in 1988. A friend at work invited him to Church and introduced him to the missionaries. After his family was baptized, the friend helped integrate them into the ward and its activities.

Today, a bishop's counselor in the Lugano Ward, Brother Truman commented, ``The gospel has increased my love and respect for our family.''

Ward members were also there to support the Truman family as they went to the temple, a strengthening experience for all.

``When we went to the temple, that experience awakened in us the sense of eternal life, and an understanding that through the ordinances I am able to continue the unity of family with my wife and my children,'' said Brother Truman. ``We also have covenanted personally with our Heavenly Father to work in His service with all our strength.''

Another source of strength are the lifetime members now serving as leaders. An example of these is Bishop Benjamin Rodriguez of the Vicente Lopes Ward in Buenos Aires, who was born in the Church. His parents were baptized in 1950. He attended Primary, seminary, Young Men, filled a mission, married in the temple and, at age 28, was called as bishop. Regarding his preparation, he said:

``In my work in the bishopric and especially with the youth, it helps me very much to remember the experiences I had as a child and youth in the Church.

``I remember when we as children knelt during family prayer and I remember family home evening. I also remember the example of my parents in maintaining fidelity and constancy in the Church.''

His wife, Andrea, also a lifetime member, agreed: ``Seeing my mother being dedicated to her callings and at the same time putting the family first has been a great example that I have tried to assimilate in my life. I now try to put that example into practice.

``Without her example, perhaps today I would be more worried about obtaining a good job than about my own family. The gospel has given me a clear vision of the value of its transcendent truths.''

Through leaders such as these and members who extend the hand of fellowship, strong bonds of unity continue to be welded between the long-time members and converts. Increases in missionary work, predictably, will continue to build upon the foundation of faithful members.; September 29, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Dr. B said...: "New Missionary Training Center Presidents Called," Church News [Saturday, 16 January 1993] 5:

Six new missionary training center presidents and their wives have been called by the First Presidency.

The new leaders began a 10-day training session at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on Jan. 12, and will begin their two-year term of service about the first of February.Called are: J. Weston and Beverly Daw, Philippines; William N. and Eleanor Jones, Mexico City; Craig K. and Elaine Mayfield, Colombia; Gail C. and Doris Sanders, England; Ronald V. ``Bud'' and Patricia Stone, Argentina; and Won and Young Seo, Korea.

Ronald V. ``Bud'' Stone, 65, was born in Portland, Ore., to O. Leslie and Dorothy Cobbley Stone. He married Patricia Judd, and they are parents of six children and members of the Modesto (Calif.) 5th Ward. He is a high
councilor and is a former mission president, regional representative, stake president's counselor and bishop. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley, a master's degree from BYU, and is partner in real estate, and construction companies.

Sister Stone was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to David Edward and Hazel America Stoddard Judd. She is stake Young Women president and a former ward Young Women president, and served with her husband while he was mission president. She graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music and attended the University of Utah and Los Angeles City College.; September 29, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Dr. B said...: "New Leaders Assigned," Church News [Saturday, 7 March 1992] 7:

SOUTH AMERICA - 15

Argentina Buenos Aires North
Returning
Mission president New President

Gustavo Berta Anthony I. Bentley Jr.; September 29, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Dr. B said...: "7 New Missions Created," Church News [Saturday, 29 February 1992] 7:

Seven new missions - mostly in developing nations - have been announced by the First Presidency.

The new missions are: Argentina Buenos Aires West, Colombia Bogota South, Camaroon Yaounde, Nigeria Illorin, Nigeria Jos, Papua New Guinea Port Moresby and Philippines Cabanatuan missions. Presidents of these missions will be announced later.In addition to these seven are the three new missions announced Feb. 15 in the Church News - the Russia St. Petersburg and Russia Moscow, and the Ukraine Kiev, created on Feb. 3.

With the creation of the new missions, there are now 50 missions in South America. Coincidentally, the 50th mission was created in Argentina, where the first mission on the continent was created on Dec. 3, 1925. South America was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel Dec. 25, 1925, by Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Council of the Twelve.

Also included in the new missions are three in western Africa. One, the Camaroon Yaounde Mission, encompasses the nations of Camaroon, Gabon and Equitorial Guinea, which are included within the mission boundaries for the first time.

The new missions bring the total number of missions in the Church to 275.

Argentina Buenos Aires West

The Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission was created in a division of the Argentina Buenos Aires South and Argentina Buenos Aires North missions. The new mission, which began Jan. 20, has some 14,500 members in five stakes within a total population of 3.9 million. The realigned Buenos Aires North mission has 13,700 members in four stakes, one district and four independent branches within a total population of 5.7 million. The realigned Buenos Aires South mission has 13,490 members in four stakes, two districts and two independent branches within a total population of 4.1 million.

Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen of the Seventy and first counselor in the South American South Area presidency said missionary work in the Buenos Aires area is progressing. Leaders are continuing to emphasize activation efforts among less-active members and retention of new converts.

The creation of 50 missions within the short period of 67 years is evidence of the growth of the Church in South America, he said.; September 29, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Dr. B said...: "Church Growth Keeps Historian Busy," Church News [Saturday, 7 September 1991] 6:

Nestor Curbelo is a man with a history. Five volumes of history, to be exact. He just completed his fifth book in a series on the history of the Church in the South America South Area.

His work as official historian for the area is enough to keep him busy. However, he has other callings and assignments that keep him even busier. He is president of the Buenos Aires Argentina North Stake and is also coordinator of the Buenos Aires West Region of the Church Educational System.The latest volume of history he completed is illustrated with pictures. Pres. Curbelo's book contains the most important facts in the 89 stakes and 17 missions in the area, which includes Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile. The history also includes data about the two temples in the area, the Buenos Aires and the Santiago Chile temples.

Pres. Curbelo works under the direction of Elder Jacob de Jager of the Seventy, the area president. Elder de Jager, in speaking of the importance of compiling an area history, praised Elder J. Thomas Fyans, formerly of the Seventy and a former president of the area, for his ``insight and vision to call Pres. Curbelo as the official historian for the area.''

In addition to gathering information for a written history of the area, Pres. Curbelo also has collected video tapes with oral histories by leaders and members in the four countries in the area. Those tapes contain a wealth of information pertaining to the Church in South America. The land of South America was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel by Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Council of the Twelve in 1925.

To assist Pres. Curbelo with the extensive research necessary to compile and write the area's history, the area presidency in July called Rodolfo Acevedo as assistant area Church historian for Chile. Brother Acevedo received a master's degree in history from the university in Santiago in 1989. His thesis was ``Thirty Years: Mormons in Chile.'' The thesis covered the period of 1956-1986.

The latest volume of the history of the South America South Area is being sent to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, where it will find its place with the previous four volumes in the Church Historical Department as a source of information for those who are interested in the development of the Church in South America.; September 29, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 9 March 1991] 4:

Mark Charles Nelson, 41, Idaho Falls 35th Ward, Idaho Falls Idaho South Stake; stake president's counselor; former bishop, high councilor and Young Men president; served in the Argentina North Mission, 1969-71; owner and president of a custom wheel wholesale business; received bachelor's degree in business management from BYU; born in Salt Lake City, Utah, a son of Glenn Crump and Emma Jane Thornton Nelson; married Christine Haymond; four children.

She is a Primary teacher, former Relief Society spiritual living and social relations teacher, Young Women adviser; owner and director of a finishing and modeling school; born in Provo, Utah, a daughter of Dean Welby and Mildred Winona Davies Haymond.; September 29, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Dr. B said...: "Worldwide Church: Members Face Distinct Challenges," Church News [Saturday, 28 April 1990] 8:

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

As in many other Latin American countries, Argentina is beset by economic troubles and social instability. The Church, however, is growing steadily here; in fact, "we are being fortified spiritually be these problems," noted Luis Callero, bishop of the Pacheco Ward, Buenos Aires Litoral Stake.

"As we become accustomed to the hard times, we see the promises of the Lord being fulfilled," he said. "From our ward alone, five missionaries have been sent out in the field, thanks to the sacrifice of their parents, and members attend the temple [as a ward] at least once a month. The troubles make us hold on even more to the iron rod."

His wife, Mirta, added, "The Church helps us to deal with these problems, and to share solutions with others. Recently we had a big conference at the ward where we invited non-members from the neighborhood, and speakers talked about drugs, AIDS, and other challenges we're facing today. Afterward, our neighbors approached us with more trust, because they knew we cared."

This sense of community has been opening up doors for the Church in Argentina, where citizens have realized that they must all take part to keep the country together. Church members here see sharing the gospel as an essential part of that role.

"Here in Argentina, we know that it's the responsibility of active members to teach others what the Lord expects of His people," said Bishop Callero, a radiotherapy specialist. "We try to be an example."

Latter-day Saints make up about 4 percent of the population in this city of some 12 million people, where the dominant religion is Catholicism. Buenos Aires is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city on the pampas (plains), reminiscent of a cross between Paris and New York, where the streets are as jammed with people at 3 in the morning as they are at noon.

Members here are widely recognized and respected, said Bishop Callero, because of their distinctive lifestyle.

``At first, people see us as a little strange,'' the bishop said, laughing. ``Here in Buenos Aires, Sunday is a day of sports and playing, and so they think it's strange for us to get up early and go to Church as a family. But we are accepted very well.''

Bishop Callero added that in his country, women are expected to take the responsibility of going to Church, but because of a high level of ``machismo,'' men are not given the same expectation. In contrast, male members of the Church place activity and family at the top of their priorities.

A typical family home evening in Buenos Aires may include a lesson with refreshments, taking a walk through a local park, visiting a museum or amusement park. Bishop Callero and his wife often use the outings as an opportunity to teach their three children, Luis, 10, Melisa, 7, and Evangelina, 3, that it's important to learn about their culture as well as just have fun.

They also teach their family that it's important to develop their talents, and it is particularly in this area that the Church has greatly helped LDS youths here.

``There are limitations in the school and the community,'' said the bishop. ``But through seminary and Church callings and activities, the youths are encouraged to develop and share their talents, as well as gaining a more profound knowledge of the scriptures and the Lord.'' - Elayne Wells; September 29, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Dr. B said...: Elayne Wells, "Center Prepares Missionaries to Be Effective Instruments," Church News [Saturday, 13 January 1990]6:

Among the many signs of Church growth in the '80s were the multiple missionary training centers that began to spring up across the globe, serving the needs of the burgeoning numbers of local missionaries. In Latin America alone, six of these centers have been training missionaries in their own or neighboring countries, symbolizing the advent of a new era of self-sufficiency.

``Thanks to the missionary training centers here,'' said Elder Robert E. Wells of the First Quorum of the Seventy and president of the Mexico/
Central America Area, ``you can really see the difference in the overall quality of the missionaries, and baptisms have increased tremendously. By training them here, the elders and sisters feel better-prepared to serve their own people.''Elder Charles Didier, president of the South America North Area, concurs.

``The best preparation is always in your own country,'' he said. ``Not only does the Church avoid the cost of transporting missionaries somewhere else for training, but also the local aspect is much more effective. We'd like to have one in every country.''

The centers are in cities where temples are located: Mexico City, Mexico; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Lima, Peru; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Church leaders say that not only has there been an increase in the number of missionaries entering the training centers, but also in the caliber of the young people.

``We feel there's a new level of dedication,'' noted Elder Wells. ``We can really see the hand of the Lord in this. Something is suddenly happening, and it's just exciting to be here.''

Argentina - The center in Buenos Aires trains missionaries from Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina, and their growing numbers is due to at least two factors, said Pres. Vernon A. Bingham.

``There are really a lot of fine young people joining the Church - about 50 percent of our new missionaries are converts of less than five years,'' he said.

``Also, we tell all our missionaries to write to a friend who's unsure about serving a mission, to encourage (him or her) to go. Many now coming in say that influenced them greatly.''

The teaching skills taught in the center here are essential to a successful mission, said Pres. Bingham; the missionaries themselves ``say they learned more in 12 days than in the rest of their lives.''

``I don't know if that's an exaggeration,'' said Pres. Bingham, ``or if they're just feeling the Spirit! But I don't think there's any other way to get this kind of concentrated practice.''

Again, the training schedule is very similar to that of other centers: companions take turns being the trainer and the student, following the missionary guide, and teaching techniques are developed.

``This is a time to learn how to teach and invite people to keep the commandments, help them follow up, and show greater love and concern,'' said Pres. Bingham.

Two elders in particular who showed this great love for the people and the work, he said, were sons of a widow who lived on a small sheep ranch in the mountains of southern Argentina.

``Those boys,'' he said, his voice filled with emotion, ``were not well-educated, but talk about a desire to learn. Another brother is entering soon, and their sister is also preparing to go.''; September 29, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Dr. B said...: "New Presidents Called to Lead Missionary Training Centers," Church News [Saturday, 14 January 1989] 6:

New presidents for missionary training centers in South America, Japan and Samoa have been called by the First Presidency.

Called are Vernon A. Bingham, succeeding Rex N. Terry in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Elmo Turner, succeeding Melvin H. Morris in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Wendell Hall, succeeding John A. Davis in Santiago, Chile; Bruce Gibson, succeeding Leon R. Walker in Lima, Peru; N. Ralph Shino, succeeding Roy I. Tsuya in Tokyo, Japan; and Eldon Puckett, succeeding Ralph L. Sharp in Apia, Samoa.Pres. Bingham, 63, of Liberty, Idaho, a retired high school teacher, was president of the Honduras Tegucigalpa Mission from 1982-85. He and his wife, Mary Bernice Powell Bingham, have five children.; September 29, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Dr. B said...: Lee Warnick, "Elder Ballard Sees Vivid Fulfillment of Grandfather's Words," Church News [Saturday, 6 February 1988] 7:

Elder M. Russell Ballard's feelings run deep for South America.

Since his calling to the Council of the Twelve in October 1985, Elder Ballard, who supervises the work in the South America North Area, has witnessed up-close the vivid fulfillment of a prophecy recorded 62 years ago concerning the growth of the Church in South America.His grandfather made that prophecy.

On July 4, 1926, at a testimony meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Elder Melvin J. Ballard, also of the Council of the Twelve, prophesied:

"The work of the Lord will grow slowly for a time here just as an oak grows slowly from an acorn. It will not shoot up in a day as does the sunflower that grows quickly and then dies. But thousands will join the Church here. It will be divided into more than one mission and will be one of the strongest in the Church. . . . The day will come when the Lamanites in this land will be given a chance. . . ."

Elder Ballard had been called in October 1925 to dedicate South America for the preaching of the gospel and to establish a mission there. He was accompanied by Elder Rey L. Pratt (who spoke Spanish) and Elder Rulon S. Wells (who spoke German), both of the First Council of the Seventy. At the time there were only known to be a handful of Church members in South America, all of whom had joined the Church in Germany and later immigrated to Argentina.

The General Authorities arrived in Buenos Aires in December 1925, and, early in the morning on Christmas Day, they knelt with a small group of missionaries under a willow tree in one of the city's parks. There Elder Ballard offered the dedicatory prayer. In it, he prayed:

". . . We also pray that we may see the beginning of the fulfillment of the promises contained in the Book of Mormon to the Indians of this land, who are descendants of Lehi . . . who have long been downtrodden and borne many afflictions and suffered because of sin and transgression, even as the prophets of the Book of Mormon did foretell.

"Thou didst inspire these prophets to promise their descendants that thou wouldst bring forth in the latter-day the records of their fathers, and that when this record was presented to their children, they would begin to believe and repent and accept the gospel. . . ."

Elder Ballard, who died in 1939, never did personally see these Book of Mormon prophecies, nor his own prophetic statement, begin to be fulfilled. That privilege, instead, would come to others, including his grandson.

Instead, Elder Ballard's eight months in South America were filled with a series of sore trials. Within a few weeks of their arrival, Elder Wells became seriously ill and had to return to Salt Lake City. Elder Pratt was also sick for several weeks, and was confined to the house, where he worked on translating hymns and other Church literature into Spanish. Elder Ballard was often left to carry out the work alone.

Almost daily he would hand out thousands of leaflets throughout Buenos Aires publicizing the time and place of Church meetings to people he could barely communicate with, often slogging through knee-deep mud to do it. Precious few responded to the invitation to attend.

When Elder Ballard looked around him at that testimony meeting where he made his prophetic statement, he would have seen perhaps two dozen people - not more than two of whom were native South Americans. When he left Buenos Aires three weeks later, never to return, he had yet to see the first baptism of one of these "descendants of Lehi."

Still, Elder Melvin J. Ballard laid the foundation for the Church in South America, the fruits of which his grandson, Elder M. Russell Ballard, marveled at the weekend of Jan. 30-31 when he addressed more than 10,000 members of the Church in conferences held for the creation of seven new stakes in one South American city: Lima, Peru.

"Can you imagine how I feel to be with you today?" Elder Ballard expressed at one conference, while looking out over a sea of faces, virtually all of them being among the "descendants of Lehi" of which his grandfather spoke.

In another conference session, Elder Ballard paid tribute to his trail-blazing ancestor then added, "I have a feeling that my grandfather is very close to what's happening this weekend. He saw you here, 62 years ago."

And Elder Ballard's grandfather must also have seen the Church in South America that had grown, in just two generations, to include about 850,000 members, 35 missions, 204 stakes, four temples and a full-time missionary force that includes more than 3,000 local missionaries.

"Each trip to South America is an emotional experience for me," said Elder Ballard in an interview before leaving for the Lima conferences. "It's hard to express what I feel as I see the marvelous results of the work that Elder Melvin J. Ballard helped to start. This makes me feel closer to my grandfather, and closer to the wonderful people of South America."

Elder Ballard, as did his grandfather, offered glimpses into the future during some of his conference addresses in Lima. "The day is not far away when your sons and daughters will be leaving to study other languages and to teach people on other continents," he said at one conference. "This work is just beginning. Many more thousands, and even hundreds of thousands, will join the Church."

These will be words that Elder Ballard's sons and grandsons will look at as they marvel at the progress of the Church in South America in years hence.; September 29, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Dr. B said...: "From Around the World," Church News [Saturday, 16 January 1988] 11:

South America South Area: Members bolster conversions

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - As a result of members working with full-time missionaries, the Buenos Aires Moreno Stake had 30 baptisms during December, according to Pres. Guillermo Daniel Rodriguez. Also, the San Rafael Mendoza District had 20 baptisms during the month, according to Pres. Luis Alberta Lorca. In December, the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission had 163 baptisms, the highest monthly total since 1982. "Members are getting excited," said Elder Kevin White of the mission.; September 29, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Dr. B said...: “Church Calls New Mission Presidents,” Ensign, May 1981, 109–110:

Wendell H. Hall, 57, of Provo, Utah, professor of Spanish at Brigham Young University, to Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission.; September 29, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Dr. B said...: “Mission Presidents Called,” Ensign, May 1975, 126–127

The First Presidency has announced the calling of a large group of new mission presidents, some of whom will preside over new missions and others will replace presidents soon to return home.

Newly called presidents and their wives from outside the United States have been called to serve in their native countries. The presidents include: Abraham Lozano of Mexico City to the Mexico Villahermosa Mission, Angel Miguel Fernandez of Cordoba to the Argentina Rosario Mission, Saul Messias de Olivera of Santo Andre to the Brazil Sao Paulo North Mission, Helio de Roche Camargo of Sao Paulo to the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission, Raymond Rene Baudin of Papeete to the Tahiti Papeete Mission, Leopoldo Larcher of Travagliato to the Italy Rome Mission, Hans-Juergen Saager of Bad Homburg to the Germany Duesseldorf Mission, and Hector R. Paredes of Chihuahua to the Mexico Veracruz Mission.

Brethren living outside the United States who will be serving in countries other than their own include: John Arthur Harris of Montevideo, Uruguay, to the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission; John Anthony Grinceri of Hamersley, West Australia, to the new Italy Bologna Mission; Kenneth Molony Palmer of Auckland, New Zealand, to the Fiji Suva Mission; and Derek A. Cuthbert of Nottingham, England, to the Scotland Edinburgh Mission.; September 30, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Dr. B said...: “New Mission Presidents and Their Assignments Noted,” Ensign, June 1978, 78

The assignments of sixty-four brethren recently called as mission presidents have been announced by the First Presidency. The new presidents, their wives, and in some instances their families, will serve three years in one of the Church’s 159 missions throughout the world.

The new presidents and their assignments are: Douglas T. Snarr, Alaska Anchorage; Joseph L. Bishop, Jr., Argentina Buenos Aires North; Hugo R. Gazzoni, Argentina Cordoba; Angel Abrea, Argentina Rosario; Don C. Hunsaker, Arizona Holbrook; Warren H. Kennedy, Arizona Tempe; Eugene L. Jones, Arkansas Little Rock; C. Shirley Reynolds, Australia Perth; Orson D. Wright, Australia Sydney; Ruel A. Allred, Belgium Antwerp; C. Eugene Hill, Bolivia La Paz; Max L. Shirts, Brazil Rio de Janeiro; Harry J. Maxwell, Brazil Sao Paulo North; Wilford A. Cardon, Brazil Sao Paulo South; Lewis S. Livingston, California Anaheim; Martin K. Zachreson, California Arcadia; G. Ellsworth Brunson, California Fresno; Hyrum W. Smith, California Los Angeles; William E. Zwick, Jr., California Sacramento; F. Briton McConkie, California Ventura; Kenneth F. Godfrey, Canada Montreal; E. Keith Stott, Chile Osorno; Robert A. Harding, Colombia Cali; Jack R. Wheatley, Colorado Denver; Richard C. Jensen, Denmark Copenhagen; William J. Mitchell, Ecuador Guayaquil; Ronald G. Hyde, England Birmingham; J. Bruce Smart, England Leeds; Elder Robert D. Hales of the First Quorum of the Seventy, England London; Georges L. Bourget, Fiji Suva; James M. Parker, Finland Helsinki; LeGrand R. Curtis, Florida Tallahassee; R. Dean Robinson, France Paris; Max Wheelwright, France Toulouse; Robert H. M. Killpack, Germany Duesseldorf; Daniel B. Crawford, Hawaii Honolulu; Ritchey M. Marbury III, Idaho Pocatello; D. Keith Barber, Illinois Chicago; Lester C. Hawthorne, Indonesia Jakarta; Paul R. Hatch, Iowa Des Moines; William J. Attwool, Iran Tehran; Lino Pablo Gambarotto, Italy Catania; Arthur R. Watkins, Italy Padova; Delbert H. Groberg, Japan Tokyo South; Calvin E. Smoot, Kentucky Louisville; Ho Nam Rhee, Korea Pusan; Jose H. Gonzalez, Mexico Guadalajara; John B. Dickson, Mexico Mexico City North; John G. Marshall, Mexico Veracruz; Benjamin L. Martinez, Mexico Villahermosa; Monte J. Brough, Minnesota Minneapolis; S. Reed Dayton, Nevada Las Vegas; Marvin R. Curtis, New York Rochester; Rudolph H. Luckau, New Zealand Wellington; Per Haugen, Norway Oslo; W. Roy Brown, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh; Allen K. Coryell, Portugal Lisbon; Carl D. Jones, Salt Lake Missionary Home; LaMarr W Poulton, Scotland Edinburgh; Robert Hal Parker, South Carolina Columbia; David W. Doxey, Spain Barcelona; Marcus M. Holmgren, Sweden Stockholm; G. Wayne Mack, Tahiti Papeete; B. Lloyd Poelman, Tennessee Nashville.

C. Chase Allred, Jr., president of the Bolivia La Paz Mission, is being transferred to the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission.; September 30, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Dr. B said...: “Additional Sharing Time Ideas, March 2006,” Liahona, Mar. 2006, N8

Elder Richard G. Scott was a nuclear scientist. He presided over the Argentina North Mission.; October 1, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Dr. B said...: "From Around the World," Church News [Saturday, 16 January 1988]:

South America South Area: Members bolster conversions

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA-As a result of members working with full-time missionaries, the Buenos Aires Moreno Stake had 30 baptisms during December, according to Pres. Guillermo Daniel Rodriguez. Also, the San Rafael Mendoza District had 20 baptisms during the month, according to Pres. Luis Alberta Lorca. In December, the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission had 163 baptisms, the highest monthly total since 1982. "Members are getting excited," said Elder Kevin White of the mission.; October 31, 2008 at 1:02 PM