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

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission

Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission

Mission Website(s)

LDS Mission Network (Matt Gollihur)

Blog(s)

Hermana Deverall Churchill 2009-2010

Elder Shane Larson 2010-2012

Life Sweeter than Cereal: Sister Mary Lindquist 2009-2011

Elder Derek Poulson 2007-2009

Elder Gavin Rice 2008-2010

Elder Austin Schupple's Mission to Argentina 2008-2010

Elder Thomas Steinkuhler 2008-2010

Elder Scot Stobbe 2010-2012

Elder Dayne Tattersall 2010-2012

Woodside Report (Elder Matt Woodside, 2009-2011)

Elder Daniel Woolley 2008-2010

Hermana Elissa Urban in the Buenos Aires South Mission 2008-2009

Elder Ian Michael Wheelhouse 2009-2011

Articles

"New Mission Presidents," (Sister Jennifer Slade former missionary husband Lane Orin Steinagle called as mission president Ukraine Kiev Mission). Church News [Saturday, 10 May 2008).

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

“New Mission Presidents Now in Place,” Liahona, Aug. 2007, N4–N5

“New Mission Presidents Now in Place Worldwide,” Ensign, July 2007, 77–78

Sergio Adrián López, “Speaking the Language of the Spirit,” Ensign, Mar. 2007, 70–71

“Q&A: Questions and Answers--I want to serve a mission, but I feel that my testimony should be stronger. What Should I do?" New Era, Mar 2007, 22–24

"New Mission Presidents," (former missionary Stephen L. Olson called as mission president with wife former missionary Sister Barbara Fisher Olson) Church News [Saturday, 24 February 2007].

LDS Newsroom Argentina News 2004-2008 (Spanish)

“Elder Don R. Clarke Of the Seventy,” Ensign, May 2006, 127 [Missionary in Mission]

Stephen B. Oveson and Dixie Randall Oveson, “Personal Consecration,” Ensign, Sep 2005, 42–46

"New Mission Presidents," (Elder Juan Carlos Avila called as mission president Argentina Mendoza Mission) Church News [Saturday, 26 February 2005].

“Church Helps Feed Hungry Argentine Children,” Ensign, Oct. 2002, 78–79

“Appointments,” Ensign, Mar. 2000, 76 [Blair D. Pincock, Argentine MTC President]

James E. Faust, "Hope, An Anchor of the Soul," (Elder Orin Voorheis who was shot in the head) Church News [Saturday, 3 October 1999].

James E. Faust, “Hope, an Anchor of the Soul,” Ensign, Nov 1999, 59 [Elder Orin Voorheis]

"Elder Stephen B. Oveson," Church News [Saturday, 1 May 1999].

“Elder Stephen B. Oveson Of the Seventy,” Ensign, May 1999, 112

"New General Authorities," (Elder Stephen B. Oveson) Church News [Saturday, 10 April 1999].

"6 Called to Second Quorum of Seventy," (Elder Stephen B. Oveson) Church News [Saturday, 3 April 1999).

Carlos H. Amado, Richard D. Allred, and Hugo A. Catrón, “Conversation: The Church in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay,” Ensign, Oct. 1998, 79–80

DeAnne Walker, “Hugo Lopez of Buenos Aires, Argentina,” Liahona, Apr 1998, 2

Judy C. Olsen, “Argentina’s Bright and Joyous Day,” Ensign, Feb 1998, 36

“Elder Lynn G. Robbins Of the Seventy,” Ensign, May 1997, 106

“Elder Carl B. Pratt Of the Seventy,” Ensign, May 1997, 102

“President Hinckley Visits South America, Florida, Washington, D.C.,” Ensign, Feb. 1997, 73–76

Thomas S. Monson, “The Prayer of Faith,” Ensign, Aug 1995, 2

“Dedication of Church Facilities in Provo and Argentina,” Ensign, June 1994, 74

“Seven New Missions Created, Total Now 275,” Ensign, June 1992, 74

"Efforts bring re-activations," Church News [Saturday, 18 January 1992].

“Comment,” Tambuli, Sep 1990, 1

“Appointments,” Ensign, Apr. 1989, 77 [Vernon N. Bingham, Argentine MTC]

"People in the Church-Elder Scott Seeley," Church News [Saturday, 2 July 1988].

“LDS Scene,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 110 [Death Sister Beverly Johnson Call]

M. Russell Ballard, “The Kingdom Rolls Forth in South America,” Ensign, May 1986, 12

“Buenos Aires Temple Fulfills Desire of Saints,” Ensign, Mar. 1986, 84–85

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

Don L. Searle, “Elder Angel Abrea: Prepared for a Life of Service,” Ensign, Oct 1984, 25

“Four New Missions Created, New Mission Presidents Called,” Ensign, July 1984, 76–77

“Mission Presidents, Assignments Announced,” Ensign, May 1983, 92

Joleen Meredith, “Friend to Friend,” Friend, Mar 1982, 6

“Update on South America,” Ensign, Oct. 1978, 60–61

“Nine New Missions Formed, Fifty Mission Presidents Called,” Ensign, Aug. 1977, 76–77

“Feedback,” New Era, Nov 1976, 2 [Elder David Orr]

Spencer W. Kimball, “‘Why Call Me Lord, Lord, and Do Not the Things Which I Say?’,” Ensign, May 1975, 4

“The South American Mission,” Ensign, Feb 1975, 20

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

“Area Conference in Southern South America,” Ensign, Feb 1975, 19

“Mission Name Changes Reflect Church Growth,” Ensign, Oct. 1974, 90

“Feedback,” New Era, Oct 1974, 2 [Elders Preece, Greenland, Noël, and Owens]

Richard Jensen, “A New Home, A New Life,” Ensign, Aug 1973, 56

“Speak Up, Latin America,” New Era, Sep 1972, 22

“The Promise,” Friend, Jul 1972, 38

Vicki H. Budge, “Friends in Argentina,” Friend, Jul 1972, 44

Stories

LDS Mission Network

27 comments:

Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 10 May 2008] 12:

Lane O. and Jennefer Steinagel

Lane Orin Steinagel, 47, Ukraine Kiev Mission; Lakeside 1st Ward, Provo Utah Sunset Stake; former bishop and counselor, high councilor, ward Young Men president, Scoutmaster and missionary in the Tahiti Papeete and New Zealand Auckland Missions. Senior linguist and manager of language resources, Missionary Training Center. Born in Sacramento, Calif., to Verne Orin and Kennen Whittle Steinagel. Married Jennefer Slade, five children.

A Cubmaster and ward Relief Society teacher, Sister Steinagel is a former counselor in a ward Primary presidency, ward Relief Society president, stake Young Women secretary, ward Young Women camp director and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. Born in Sacramento, Calif., to Thomas Edmund and Verdis Annette Howard Slade.; October 2, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 9 June 2007]:

Vicky and Ronald W. Asay

Ronald W Asay, 58, Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission; Provo Canyon Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont North Stake; high priests group instructor and assistant ward mission leader; former counselor in a stake presidency, bishop, high priests group leader, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Guatemala-El Salvador Mission. Interventional cardiologist, Central Utah Clinic. Born in Billings, Mont., to Chester Harris and Evelyn Waters Asay. Married Vicky Louise Lane, eight children.

A counselor in the ward Relief Society presidency and ward missionary, Sister Asay is a former ward Relief Society president and teacher, ward Primary president and teacher, member of a stake Relief Society board, visiting teaching coordinator and counselor in a ward Young Women presidency. Born in Portland, Ore., to Richard Orlin and Marie Louise Deserano Lane.; October 2, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Dr. B said...: "New MTC President," Church News [Saturday, 2 June 2007] 13:

Wayne Chester Perkins, 68, Dominican Republic Missionary Training Center; Moon Mountain Ward, Phoenix Arizona North Stake; former president of the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission, counselor in stake presidencies, bishop and counselor, high councilor and missionary in the Central America Mission. President of Perkins Enterprises and rancher. Born in Pocatello, Idaho, to Maurice J. and Klea Call Perkins. Married La Preal Hatch, three children.

Sister Perkins served with her husband in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission and is a former stake Relief Society president and counselor, stake Primary president, counselor in a stake Young Women presidency and ward Relief Society president. Born in Chesterfield, Idaho, to Ammon Paul and Phyllis Louis Lee Hatch.; October 2, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents Receive Assignments," Church News [Saturday, 3 March 2007] 8:

South America South Area
New President Current

Argentina Buenos Aires South

Steven K. Peterson Stephen C. Record; October 2, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 24 February 2007] 12:

Stephen L Olsen, 54, Willow Creek 7th Ward, Sandy Utah Willow Creek Stake; missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission; former bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, stake mission president, Primary teacher, Aaronic priesthood adviser and missionary in the Chile Mission. Partner in real estate development. Born in Ogden, Utah, to Ivan Peter and Glenna Marilou Rogers Olsen. Married Barbara Fisher, five children.

A missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission, Sister Olsen is a former counselor in stake and ward Primary presidencies, ward Relief Society president and counselor, ward Young Women president and counselor and Sunday school teacher. Born in Provo, Utah, to Albert Leroy and Dorothy Bishop Fisher.; October 2, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Dr. B said...: Jason Swenson, "Conference Moment: Prophetic Word," Church News [Saturday, 8 April 2006] 4:

Almost eight decades have passed since Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve stood before a small Sabbath gathering of Church members in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and offered prophetic words about the future of the Church in South America and, by extension, all of Latin America.

The apostle's prophecy is now familiar to hundreds of thousands of Church members who have lived or served in Argentina, Mexico, Brazil or their many neighboring countries. After envisioning a period of slow growth, Elder Ballard promised:

"Thousands will join here . . . .The day will come when the Lamanites here in South America will get the chance. The South American Mission will become a power in the Church."

Elder Ballard's prophecy continues to be realized. Latin America is home to millions of Church members. That singular South American Mission of Elder Melvin J. Ballard's day has branched into scores across the continent.

Further evidence that the Church was "becoming a power" in South America became clear at the 151st Annual General Conference, 25 years ago. Angel Abrea — a native Argentinean and a Church convert — became the first Latin American General Authority when he was called April 4, 1981, to the First Quorum of the Seventy.

In his Saturday afternoon address at that general conference, Elder Abrea spoke of accepting the historic call issued by President Spencer W. Kimball. "A feeling and a word immediately filled me. The feeling, gratitude; the word, gracias — thank you."

Elder Abrea then extended thanks to the two sister missionaries who knocked on his door in Argentina and introduced the gospel; to his loving wife, Sister Maria Chiaparino Abrea, and his family; to his Church leaders and teachers; and to the many who had played a role in the ongoing realization of Elder Ballard's 55-year-old prophecy.

"Thank you to the hundreds of missionaries who have made possible the development of the Church in the countries of South America." Named an emeritus General Authority in 2003, Elder Abrea has seen more than a dozen faithful Latin American men sustained as General Authorities in subsequent general conferences. — Jason Swensen; October 2, 2008 at 1:50 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.; October 2, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Dr. B said...: "Changes Made In Presidency of the Seventy," Church News [Saturday, 8 October 2005] 2:

Elder Oveson, 69, was called to the Second Quorum of the Seventy in April 1999. He has served as assistant executive director of the Audiovisual and Priesthood departments. He a former president of the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission.; October 2, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Dr. B said...: "State Champions on Mission," Church News [Saturday, 21 May 2005] 15:

SANFORD, Colo. — While their shooting percentage was good enough to win a high school basketball state championship, the eight seniors on the 2003 title squad did even better in missionary service — 100 percent.
All eight of the senior players on the Sanford High School team that won the class 2A trophy are serving missions.

They are: Steven Schloemer, Sanford 2nd Ward, Russia Novosibirsk; Kyle D. Forster, Sanford 1st Ward, Argentina Buenos Aires South; Patrick Crowther, La Jara 1st Ward, Ohio Columbus; Cameron Barr, Fox Creek Branch, Brazil Recife; Brice Crowther, Sanford 2nd Ward, Nevada Las Vegas (Spanish speaking); Todd Mortensen, Sanford 2nd Ward, Maryland Baltimore; Doug Crowther, Sanford 2nd Ward, Brazil Rio de Janiero North; Robert Reed, Sanford 1st Ward, Argentina Mendoza.; October 2, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 26 February 2005] 12:

Juan Carlos Avila, 44; Argentina Mendoza Mission; Ciudad Evita 1st Ward, Buenos Aires Argentina Aldo Bonzi Stake; high councilor; former bishop, counselor in a bishopric and missionary in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. Self-employed. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Juan Carlos Avila and Herminia Concepcion Bonina de Avila. Married Deborah Viviana Olaiz, six children.

A ward Primary president, Sister Avila is a former counselor in stake and ward Primary presidencies, counselor in ward Relief Society and Young Women presidencies and Primary music director. Born in La Plata, Argentina, to Hector Alejandro Olaiz and Sophia Adriana Domrose de Olaiz.; October 2, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Dr. B said...: Nestor Curbelo, "Rower Wins Berth," Church News [3 July 2004] 12:

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A young woman from a family of rowers, Lucia Fernanda Palermo, 18, has been selected to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games in Greece as a rower in lightweight doubles, representing Argentina.

She is a counselor in the Primary presidency of the Pacheco Ward, Buenos Aires Argentina Litoral Stake.

Although hers has been a rowing family — two older brothers, Carlos Daniel and Angel Diego, rowed in national and international competitions — Lucia began intense training for the Olympics only a year and a half ago. Despite the short training time, she quickly progressed to where she was invited to attend pre-Olympic competition in El Salvador in May. There, she qualified for the Argentine team.

"So that she could do her homework, attend seminary daily and fulfill her callings, she made an agreement with her coach to practice daily during times that would not interfere with these obligations, which for her are priorities," said Litoral Argentina Stake President Andres Walker.

However, as the Games draw closer, her training becomes more intense. Her dream is to obtain a position among the 10 best and compete for a medal. She knows that she must compete with the best in the world, but her main desire is to do her very best.

Her bishop, Miguel Angel Vasta, said, "I have visited Lucia several times in her training, and I have seen the respect she has earned among her rowing team. All know her standards and beliefs, and for these, they respect her."

She said her teammates "always ask me questions. I know that seminary has helped me to know how to answer my friends."

As she prepares for the Olympics, this talented youth believes the strength of the family, and that the Primary, Young Women and seminary have helped her; she is sure of herself. "In these final days, my testimony of Jesus Christ is strong. I always had a testimony but now it is stronger. In my recent trip to the pre-Olympic competitions, I knew that it would be challenging. I knew that there would be no one from the Church to support me, and that the people around me would be very different. But at all times, I felt the guidance of the Lord and I felt Heavenly Father's love. I took my copy of the Book of Mormon. I read every day, said my prayers and I always felt His protection."

Beyond rowing, her dream is to gain an education to complement everything she has heard and done in the Church. She was baptized with her family in 1994 at 9 years of age. She has grown up in the Church, attending Primary and Young Women, and received the Young Womanhood Medallion. She also completed four years of seminary. She is an outgoing young woman who enjoys the friendship, sociability and talking with other young women.

In her family, her single mother supports five children, including one, Daniel Carlos, who is serving in the Chile Concepcion South Mission.

"Primary was a great help to me in my life," said Lucia. "I enjoyed it greatly as I took part in each event. I remember clearly the leaders and teachers, the preparation for the Primary sacrament meeting presentation. All this helped me greatly. I learned to speak of my feelings and share them. The Young Women program was also a great help. I discovered talents and abilities that I didn't know I had. I learned to develop myself better, to communicate with my friends and companions in the Church. This has been a strength in challenging moments of competition, and when I had to travel."; October 2, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidents," Church News [Saturday, 13 March 2004] 7:

Stephen Chipman Record, 58; Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission; Mesa Vista Ward, Santa Barbara California Stake; bishop; former counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, ward mission leader, Scoutmaster and missionary in the Uruguay Mission. Attorney. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Odes Longshaw and Afton Whitaker Chipman Record. Married Linda Marie Hovey, six children.

She is a former ward Young Women and Primary president, Relief Society teacher, ward activities committee chairman and visiting teaching coordinator. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Dennis Rex and Emma Gayle Dunbar Hovey.; October 2, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Dr. B said...: "New and Returning Mission Presidents for 113 Missions," Church News [Saturday, 6 March 2004] 8:

SOUTH AMERICA — 22
Mission
New President Returning President

Argentina Buenos Aires South
Stephen C. Record J. Gerardo Vazquez; October 2, 2008 at 2:06 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.; October 2, 2008 at 2:09 PM
Dr. B said...: Mestor Curbelo, "Argentine Converts Left a Legacy Among Their Posterity," Church News [Saturday, 22 July 1995] 12:

A short time after the turn of the century, thousands of European families bid farewell to the economic challenges and signs of war in their homelands and immigrated to South America.

Among them was 17-year-old Ramon Avila, who left his home in Ameria, Spain. He and a cousin, Andres, arrived here May 10, 1910, and were received by relatives. During the following years, the discovery of new opportunities dominated his life as he worked to better his lot in his new land.In 1925, he married a daughter of Italian immigrants, Elisa Leonor Melga. The couple built their own home and established a business. However, the effects of the worldwide depression in 1930 seriously depleted their business and threw the family on hard times.

The economy did not slow their desire to have a family, however. By 1936, they were parents of five sons. A year after his birth, the fifth son, Jose Luis Avila, contracted a severe case of meningitis. The parents took the baby to the Buenos Aires Childrens Hospital. Physicians there told the parents to take the baby home and wait out the disease, because there was nothing they could do.

The anguished parents took their baby home where tiny Jose Luis continued to cry and suffer. They watched helplessly. A neighbor, seeing the anguish on the face of the mother, asked about the situation. She then spoke to two LDS missionaries, and they came to administer to Jose Luis. The night after the blessing, Jose Luis slept peacefully and the next morning began to eat and recuperate.

This event is regarded as a miracle by the Avila family. Afterwards they began investigating the Church and attending the meetings with their faithful neighbor, Maria Lopez. The missionaries taught the Avila family the lessons. Three years later, on Oct. 19, 1940, the Avila family was baptized in Liniers, a suburb of Buenos Aires.

Three years later, a new challenge came to the family. Leonor died, leaving her husband with six sons, the youngest not 2 years old. Well-founded in the gospel, Brother Avila continued his activity in the Church and began rearing the boys by himself.

Brother Avila died Nov. 6, 1979. In his memoirs, he observed:

``In this unfortunate situation, I began to learn to cook, wash and iron clothing, leaving my work as bricklayer. I placed a sign on the front of the home: `Heaters, stoves, pots and clocks repaired.' ''

The twin older boys, Juan Carlos and Miguel Angel, began working in a butcher shop while Francisco worked for a fruit seller. The younger boys worked at the repair shop in their home. The dedication of Brother Avila and his sons to the gospel never wavered. Each Sunday at 7 a.m. they walked for an hour and a quarter from their home in New Pompei to attend services at the Liniers Branch.

Miguel Angel later recalled:

``In this period when we joined the Church, the branch was very poor. Although there were many faithful and hard-working members, few were in a good position economically. Few owned their own homes because it required all their efforts to maintain their families. This was an era of sacrifice, but it was not difficult to belong to the Church. When going to Church, we wore mended clothing and tennis shoes, and when it was necessary, our school uniforms, for we had nothing else. In this we were not unique; this was the condition of most of the members then.''

Eventually, Juan Carlos and Miguel were among the first local missionaries from Argentina during that era. Since then, the Avila sons have continued to make contributions in the Church. Leadership responsibilities are now carried by the extended Avila family. Currently, a number of their children or children's spouses are serving as stake presidents, bishops, Relief Society presidents and in other responsible callings.

Three of the Avila sons are particularly well-known. Miguel, the oldest, served as bishop and later as stake patriarch. Juan Carlos, who died April 3, 1995, served as counselor in the stake presidency of the first stake in Argentina and later as regional representative and mission president.

Jose Luis, the baby with meningitis who was blessed by the missionaries in 1936, is today a counselor in the presidency of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple. He recently reflected on how the past has influenced the present:

``Those were times of great sacrifice, but thanks to the examples of our parents and our brothers and their perseverance, I have had the blessing of baptizing my wife, starting a family and being sealed to them in the temple. I have watched our family increase and grow within the light of the gospel. We have the goal of being a family eternally united.

``Now, being in the temple every day and seeing other families sealed adds to my certainty that this work is the most important of our lives.''; October 2, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Dr. B said...: Nestor E. Curbelo, "Argentine Pioneer Saw Church Grow From Small Beginnings," Church News [Saturday, 23 July 1994] 10:

At this time of the year when members think of pioneers, it is appropriate to recall the life of one of the pioneers of the Church in this country, Antonino Gianfelice, 74.

Brother Gianfelice is a well-known and greatly respected leader now serving as a temple sealer in the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple. He is also the first patriarch to be ordained in South America, and continues to serve in this calling in the Buenos Aires Argentina Castelar Stake.The son of Italian immigrants who accepted the gospel from the first missionaries to Argentina in 1926, he has also served as mission president, district and branch president, and mission president's counselor. With his wife, Delia A. Salvatore de Gianfelice, he served a mission in the Sao Paulo Temple as well. He served a full-time mission in 1942.

Antonino Gianfelice was 5 years old when his family heard about the Church. This was just a few months after South America had been dedicated by Elder Melvin J. Ballard on Dec. 25, 1925. Elder Ballard, a member of the Council of the Twelve, and his associates Elders Rulon S. Wells and Rey L. Pratt of the First Council of the Seventy (who spoke German and Spanish, respectively), had arrived Dec. 6, 1925, to initiate missionary work in South America.

The Gianfelice family encountered the Church one Sunday morning in 1926, said Brother Gianfelice. ``We went to visit a family of friends of my parents,'' he said. ``While we were there, we could hear what seemed to be singing of church hymns. My parents enjoyed the singing very much. We were told that it was a church brought by foreigners who lived with German families. My mother asked my father to investigate to learn if it was possible to attend this new church. During the following week, a man distributed pamphlets from door to door. The pamphlet was titled, ``The Gospel Restored'' and listed the meeting times and addresses of the Church.'' The Gianfelice family attended the next week.

``In our home, we will always remember the first visit of the missionaries,'' continued Brother Gianfelice. ``Elder Rey L. Pratt asked my father if he could visit, and my father said that we lived in very small quarters, and were very poor.'' Elder Pratt made an appointment to come.

``It was raining heavily and most of the streets were blocked the day the missionaries were to come, and my father thought they would never make it. Nevertheless, the missionaries came, stopping first at our neighbor's home, and then our home.

``As was the custom with Italians, my mother served wine to our visitors. Brother Pratt said, `We understand that people who work hard may want to drink wine, but we do not drink it.'

``My father responded, `If you do not drink, neither do we.' ''

Later, said Brother Gianfelice, Elder Pratt taught the family to pray and told them that they were to use their own words, and that the Church did not have a prayerbook.

The missionaries made a great impact on the lives of the family. ``Elder Pratt understood the language and had much experience,'' said Brother Gianfelice. ``He was a person always willing to share his understanding of the gospel.''

The Gianfelice family was the first baptized after Elder Pratt, Elder Melvin J. Ballard and Rulon G. Wells departed for the United States. Pres. Karl Bruno Reinhold Stoof then presided over the mission.

``I was baptized on my eighth birthday on Aug. 22, 1928,'' said Brother Gianfelice. ``The river was very full. My mother was asked if she was not afraid I would become ill from entering the cold water. The river was very swift, and the missionary who baptized me had to hold me in his arms until we reached the area where the water was deep enough for my immersion.''

During this year, an incident involving Brother Gianfelice's father, Donato, was recorded by early missionary Frederick S. Williams:

``The winter of 1928 was one of the wettest on record. Rain fell almost continuously for 21 days and the sun disappeared altogether. Buenos Aires is a table top and at that time had no storm drains. After a few days the water had become so deep that . . . soon all traffic stopped. Often we waded across intersections in water up to our belts; we were always cold and wet.

``One Sunday during this period we had to walk 65 blocks to Liniers to hold a meeting there and the Gianfelice family had walked back with us to spend Sunday evening with us. After all the members had gone home that night . . . we heard a knock at the door. It was Brother Gianfelice, who had left only an hour or so before. He said: `Will you pray to the Lord to forgive me? When I paid my tithing this afternoon, I miscalculated and underpaid the Lord 20 centavos (at the time about a nickel in American money). . . . I would not have been able to sleep knowing that I had cheated the Lord in my tithing.' '' (From Acorn to Oak Tree, by Frederick S. Williams and Frederick G. Williams, p. 58.)

In 1942, Frederick S. Williams was president of the Argentine Mission when Antonino was called as a full-time missionary to serve in that mission.

``Missionary work in those days was very slow. It was necessary to earn the friendship of the people, visit them many times, be patient, and teach the gospel little by little.

``My mission helped me to develop spiritually, to learn to be fully involved in the work of the Lord, to relate well with people, to preach in public, and, over all, to realize that we are lifelong missionaries.''

Another milestone in the life of Brother Felice came in 1966 when the first stake in Argentina was created. ``This was the fulfillment of a dream for many of the brothers and sisters of Argentina, some of whom are living today.''

He said that the organizing authorities, Elder Spencer W. Kimball, then of the Council of the Twelve, and Elder Franklin D. Richards, then an Assistant to the Twelve, called him as bishop of the Liniers 1st Ward, and that he was later ordained as stake patriarch.

The latter calling was particularly meaningful to Brother Gianfelice. ``My father always used to tell me about the experiences of the ancient patriarchs, and tell me of what a beautiful thing it would be to be able to have a patriarchal blessing.''

Since that time, Brother Gianfelice has given more than 2,500 blessings.

It is appropriate that one of the earliest baptized members of Argentina now living is also serving in the temple.

``I now have the opportunity to serve in the temple as an ordinance worker and sealer,'' he said. ``My spirit is overflowing with gratitude to the Lord for permitting me to serve my fellow beings, both those who are on the earth and those who have departed from it.''; October 2, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Dr. B said...: Anthony Amata, "On the Bright Side," Church News [Saturday, 16 July 1994] 2:

We took our son, David, to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on April 20. After dropping him and his mother off, my daughter and I were walking across the parking lot when I heard someone call my name. I didn't know who it was and didn't recognize him for a moment.

As we stopped to greet him, we found it was Steven K. Bullock, the missionary who had baptized me about 32 years ago in the New England States Mission. We we thrilled to see each other.Upon inquiring why he was at the Missionary Training Center, he told me that he was sending his son, Jonathan, on a mission.

Further conversation revealed that his son and mine were both going to the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission.

About four days later, we received a letter from our son telling us that Elder Jonathan Bullock and he were assigned as companions, some 32 years after Elder Bullock's father had baptized me. It was a remarkable and wonderful thing to have happen.; October 2, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Dr. B said...: "In Many Countries, Great Effort Made to Attend Temples," 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; October 2, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Dr. B said...: Nestor Curbelo, "New Training Center, Temple Housing Facility Dedicated in Argentina," Church News [Saturday, 19 March 1994] 3:

Two new buildings adjacent to the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple - the Missionary Training Center and the Patron Housing Facility - were dedicated March 5 by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin.

Elder Wirthlin of the Council of the Twelve dedicated the recently completed three-story buildings in the Buenos Aires suburb of Evita.The new Missionary Training Center has the capacity to house 90 missionaries, who will come from Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The Patron Housing Facility can house 154 patrons, and has 10 additional apartments for couple missionaries serving at the temple.

In addition to offering the dedicatory prayer, Elder Wirthlin also spoke at the service. Also speaking were Elder Joe J. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy and Kay Briggs, area director of temporal affairs. On their trip to Argentina, Elder Wirthin was accompanied by his wife, Elisa, and Elder Christensen by his wife, Barbara.

Also attending the ceremony were Elders Lynn A. Micklesen and John B. Dickson, both of the Seventy, president and second counselor of the South America South Area, respectively; Pres. Rodolfo Mortensen of the Buenos Aires Argentina Temple; and Ronald V. Stone, director of the Argentina Missionary Training Center.

A choir of 50 missionaries, led by Elder Stone, sang during the ceremony, accompanied by Sister Patricia Stone at the piano.

In his dedicatory prayer, Elder Wirthlin said: ``This center gives the opportunity for thousands of young men and women to be trained to become effective missionaries.

``Today represents a new era in the history of the South America South Area. There are multitudes of righteous people who are searching for the truth in these countries. We are grateful for our wonderful members who have embraced the gospel and who are doing so much to build the kingdom in this area.''

In his remarks, Elder Wirthlin said the cluster of buildings are directly involved in the mission of the Church. ``We see here an example of the Church - it is compacted in these three buildings. The Missionary Training Center is where we train and send out these wonderful missionaries in order to bring many people to the gospel of Jesus Christ. And then, later, as the converts proceed and improve themselves, they will be able to come to the patron housing and then go to the temple.''

Elder Christensen said: ``I hope with all my heart that we live the gospel, that our lives meet the teachings of Christ. There is not a more efficient way to prepare leaders, fathers, mothers, wives, husbands and sons and daughters to guide the Church than by serving a mission.''

Brother Briggs noted that 69 years ago, in a park not too distant from the temple, Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Council of the Twelve dedicated South America for the preaching of the gospel. Brother Briggs quoted a statement made at a later time by Elder Ballard:

``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 does the sunflower that grows quickly and then dies. Thousands will join here. It will be divided into more than one mission and will be one of the strongest in the Church. The work here is the smallest that it will ever be. The day will come when the Lamanites here in South America will get the chance. The South American Mission will be a power in the Church.''

Brother Briggs said that day has arrived as hundreds of missionaries arrive to be trained, and people come to go through the temple.

A regional conference held the following day on March 6 at the Luna Park Stadium is evidence of the growth of the Church in South America, according to leaders. About 13,000 members from 14 stakes in the Buenos Aires area attended the conference, which had to be divided into two sessions.

This compares to an area conference, presided over by President Spencer W. Kimball, in 1975 in the same stadium, when some 9,000 members from four countries - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile - attended.; October 2, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Dr. B said...: "New Mission Presidencies," Church News [Saturday, 17 April 1993] 4:

Keith Crockett, 59, Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission; Pima 1st Ward, Pima Arizona Stake; stake family record extraction coordinator, former stake president and counselor, and high councilor; served in Uruguay Mission, 1954-56; earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Arizona and doctorate from Northern Arizona University; Thatcher (Ariz.) Institute director; born in Pima, Ariz., a son of Wilford Woodruff III and Jacy Boggs Crockett; married Kathleen McBride, six children.

She is a Primary teacher and ward organist, former stake Relief Society president's counselor and board member, Young Women president and adviser, and nursery leader; earned bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona; reading teacher; born in Safford, Ariz., a daughter of Herald Rexal and Lydia Fay Nelson McBride.; October 2, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Dr. B said...: Nestor Curbelo, "As Converts Increase, Faithful Argentine LDS 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.; October 2, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Dr. B said...: "Leaders Called for Visitors' Centers," Church News [Saturday, 6 March 1993] 4:

Mexico City Temple Visitors Center: Grant C. Fausett, 62, a patriarch, is a former president of the Argentina Buenos Aires Mission and has served as stake president's counselor, high councilor and bishop. He is owner of a mortuary. He and his wife, Betty Maurine Shaw Fausett, are members of the Carbonville 1st Ward, Helper Utah Stake; October 2, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Dr. B said...: John L. Hart, "Couples Motto: We'll Go Anywhere," Church News [Saturday, 30 January 1993] 7:

In 1945, Sid and Afton Shreeve of Tucson, Ariz., a young couple with small children, were at the stage of life when most couples of their age were intent on getting established.

Instead, when they heard of the Church's vast need for missionaries during post-war missionary efforts, they sent a letter to the First Presidency:``We'll go anywhere,'' they wrote, ``but we hope you will call us on a mission to Argentina,'' where he had previously served.

They might as well have written a standing letter of availability, for they were not only called to Argentina, but during the next decades were also called to Uruguay, Argentina, Illinois, Utah and Colombia. Their children accompanied them to Argentina and Uruguay.

Together they have served six full-time missions.

In addition, Sister Shreeve counts his first mission as hers as well, for she was a new bride who stayed home and worked to support him while he served in Argentina from 1936-38. He also was president of the Salt Lake Valley Regional Mission, though not on a full-time basis.

``The Church is true,'' said Sister Shreeve. ``It is true! You want to help everybody have the opportunity to join, to share with us in the gospel plan.''

Her husband added: ``We think all of our decisions for these missions were right. We never had any regrets.''

Last Thursday, Jan. 21, they returned to Salt Lake City from a mission in Colombia where they directed the Colombia Missionary Training Center. About the time they unpacked their bags, they mentioned that, ``We're as healthy as we can be, and we've offered to go back and open up another missionary training center, anywhere. . . .''

Reminiscing on the rich missionary experiences in their lives, they recalled that in 1945, following their call from the First Presidency to Argentina, they sold their home, their car and furniture.

They served under Pres. W. Ernest Young, his former president who had been called back to Argentina. A former missionary companion, Marian Vance, and his wife, Betty, from Mesa, Ariz., were called at the same time, and sold their home as well.

The Shreeves arrived in Buenos Aires on Jan. 1, 1946, and they stayed there for two years. They immediately began to seek out and reactivate those who had been baptized earlier.

They were willing to stay longer, but in 1948, President David O. McKay, then of the First Presidency, wrote and advised them to return to the United States and for Elder Shreeve to complete his education.

Brother Shreeve attended BYU, where he completed his bachelor's and master's degrees. On the day he attended graduation to receive his diplomas, he was informed that President Stephen L Richards of the First Presidency wished to see him. The new graduate was called to preside over the Uruguay-Paraguay Mission, and asked if he and his wife could leave in three weeks.

``Sure I can - no problem,'' said Brother Shreeve. Then he called his wife, who was in Arizona, and said: ``Hang on to your chair because things are going to be changing fast. You've got three weeks to get ready to go back to South America, but you can't tell anybody yet until the Church has given a press release on it.''

She recalled, ``I was sitting in a chair that had wheels on it - a secretary's chair. The chair just went right out from under me.''

But she knew what to do: she got started selling their home, furniture and car. Within three weeks they were on a ship bound for Montevideo, Uruguay, where they stayed for about 41/2 years.

While there, they helped build the first complete meetinghouse in South America. Elder Richard G. Scott, now of the Council of the Twelve, was one of their missionaries, and an engineer who helped with the building. The Shreeves noted that four of their missionaries later were called as General Authorities, and about 20 as mission presidents.

``It just so happened at a certain point in construction, that President David O. McKay came on a trip to Uruguay, and he laid the cornerstone, and stayed for 10 days,'' said Elder Shreeve. ``It was a choice experience to spend 10 days with him. He was astounded at the progress of the mission.''

The meetinghouse was completed in a year, and Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Council of the Twelve came to dedicate the new facility. He also came to consider, because of a shortage of missionaries due to the Korean War, the possibility of closing the mission in Paraguay. After visiting that country, and seeing the progress of the Church, though, he decided that, ``We're in Paraguay to stay.''

When the Shreeves returned to the United States, their children spoke only Spanish, much to the dismay of their grandmother.

``Looky here,'' she told them. ``You're in the United States now. You've got to learn to speak English.''

When the children began speaking English, she commented, ``Isn't it nice you can speak English now?''

``Yes,'' replied Patricia Ann, then 12. ``But my dreams are still in Spanish.''

The Shreeves returned briefly to the United States from 1956-59, and then returned to South America to work for the United States Information Agency. He coordinated U.S. affairs in Chile. Once, he was in charge of providing activities for four days for 4,000 sailors on shore leave from an aircraft carrier. He put the young men to work refurbishing a Chilean school, named the ``United States School.'' When the men left the repaired school a few days later, the school's director and faculty were weeping in appreciation.

In 1965, he was employed by BYU as coordinator for Latin American studies. He retired from BYU in 1980. During this time, he wrote a popular Spanish text called El Goucho.

After retiring, the Shreeves predictably filled another mission, this time among the Spanish-speaking in Chicago, Ill.

They also served a mission as directors of the Missionary Training Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They arrived at the training center Jan. 8, 1986, and served until the summer of 1987.

``It is amazing to us how many wonderful, educated people had joined the Church after we left there,'' said Sister Shreeve. ``It is the same in northern South America - these people are just wonderful.''

Later, they served full-time helping Spanish-speaking members in the Provo, Utah, area find employment. About this time, a group of Uruguayans petitioned to have Elder Shreeve nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay. Their bid failed, however.

Despite the fact that both Brother and Sister Shreeve had health problems, including surgeries, they accepted a call in 1991 to open the Colombia Missionary Training Center. During this mission they helped train nearly 600 missionaries from Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

They arrived Jan. 25, 1992, and accepted their first group of missionaries on Feb. 7 in a hastily rented hotel. Missionaries were interviewed, organized into companionships and districts and put to work directing meetings and learning to sing.

The Church's new Missionary Training Center facility opened a few months later. Missionaries learned the same lessons as those taught in Provo, Utah, and left to fill missions, boldly declaring the truths of the restored gospel.

Couples who serve ``will never miss home like they think they will, and their families will be blessed while they are gone,'' said Sister Shreeve.

``They will be blessed with marvelous experiences for their whole life.''; October 2, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Dr. B said...: John L. Hart, "Adversity Seen as Steppingstone to Spiritual Growth," Church News [Saturday, 25 July 1992] 6:

Adversity can be a barrier or a steppingstone to growth, said Elder John B. Dickson, vice president of an Everett, Wash., timber industry company before his recent call to the Second Quorum of the Seventy.

``I have learned that the periods between challenges are extremely restful, but there is no growth,'' he said. ``You grow when you are being challenged.''Elder Dickson, 49, whose call to the Seventy was announced June 6, has made a practice of overcoming adversity through diligence and hard work, traits that have helped him progress with his family, in his career, and in the Church.

The trim, energetic 5-foot 9-inch General Authority has been called to serve as second counselor in the South America South Area presidency, and will live in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with his wife, Delores, and their younger children Camille, Emily and John.

The secret of happiness, he said, is balance.

``I feel that if we strive to get anything done in our Church and we fail to keep it all in balance we get into trouble.''

In Elder Dickson's vocabulary, there's nothing passive about the word ``strive.''

``As a family, we believe in very hard work,'' he said. ``Both our mothers and fathers have been hard working, dedicated Latter-day Saints in the Church and in their vocations. They passed to us a great heritage of just good, hard work to be self-sustaining.''

One of life's toughest challenges came to Elder Dickson as a young man. He was called at age 19 to serve in the Mexican Mission. His girlfriend since high school, Delores Jones, was willing to wait for him as he prepared to serve.

But before he entered the mission, he suffered problems with his right arm. He was taken to the hospital where the malady was diagnosed as bone cancer. His arm was immediately amputated above the elbow.

``I received a father's blessing that indicated that I would get well, be able to fulfill my mission, have a family and serve the Lord throughout my life if I would be true and faithful and worthy,'' he said. ``I have learned over the years that if I would remain true and faithful and available, the Lord would use me as He needs me.''

Rather than looking back on that experience with despair, he now sees it as a turning point in his life. ``That has probably been one of the greater blessings of my life,'' he affirmed. ``It has been a teacher. I have learned to be a little more patient with people. I have learned to be a little more patient with myself. It has been a real blessing to learn how to deal with challenges.''

Sister Dickson said that people around her husband do not think of him as handicapped. ``He doesn't know he has only one arm. He just performs and works as if there is absolutely nothing wrong. When he needed help, our children always considered it a privilege to be his other arm. Now they are very good plumbers and carpenters simply because Dad needed them to help.''

Eight months after his cancer operation, he entered the mission field where he served for 29 months.

``I learned to love the people of Mexico,'' he said.

Shortly after he returned, he and Delores Jones were married in the Oakland Temple. They both attended and graduated from BYU. Afterward, he joined the family timber business, Summit Timber, founded by Sister Dickson's father, Robert E. Jones, a former president of the Seattle Temple.

``We built a home in Arlington, Wash., which was a wonderful place to raise children,'' Elder Dickson said. ``We learned to love to hike and camp and do lots of outside things with the children.

``We loved to take family trips. We'd take short ones or long ones. It didn't matter as long as we could be together. We usually had a little trailer that we could throw our suitcases into so we could have fun as a family in the van.

``We love to be together as a family. We have always enjoyed singing together and playing games in the car.

``We always had our home evenings, and regular family prayer, and we read the scriptures to our children every day. For the last 10 years, Delores has been an early morning seminary teacher. That has been a wonderful thing for us She observed that even though her husband has often been away doing Church work, ``I was so busy doing family history work and teaching that I can honestly say I never felt neglected in my life.

``Jack loves life and he can break away from work. He can relax, and that has been a great blessing to our family.''

In 1978, he was called to be president of the Mexico City North mission.

Although the children were very excited, it was a difficult adjustment to take their large family into another country.

``Some situations came up where we could either laugh or cry,'' he recalled. ``We decided we were going to laugh, and that made all the difference.
(Additional chart)
Elder John B. Dickson

- Family: Born in Tacoma, Wash., on July 12, 1943, to John H and Helen Baird Dickson. Married Delores Jones, a daughter of Robert E. and Audrey E. Pratt Jones, in the Oakland Temple on Feb. 19, 1966. Parents of seven daughters and a son: Susanne (Mrs. Dean Tingey) of Bellevue, Wash.; Wendy (Mrs. Brent Davis) of Provo; Jennifer (Mrs. Bryant Marchant) of Provo; Andrea, a student at Utah Valley Community College; Gina, a student at BYU; Camille, 15; Emily, 13; and John, 11. They have two grandchildren.

- Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration from BYU.

- Employment: Vice president and partner of Summit Timber, the largest independent sawmill in Washington; former president of Northwest Independent Forest Manufacturers, a timber company association.

- Church Service: Bishop's counselor, stake president's counselor, regional welfare agent, president of the Mexico City Mexico North Mission, president of the Mount Vernon Washington Stake; served in the Mexican Mission, 1963-66.; October 2, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Dr. B said...: "7 New Missions Created; Total Now 275," Church News [Saturday, 29 February 1992] 7:

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.; October 2, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Dr. B said...: "From Around the World," Church News [Saturday, 18 January 1992] 7:

South America South Area
Efforts bring re-activations
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Missionaries working with less-active families help bring them back into activity, said Pres. Rollin S. Davis of the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission. They also baptize other family members in the process,

He estimated that from 50 to 75 less-active members each month gain renewed interest in the Church as a result of the missionaries' work.

Pres. Davis said one missionary, Sister Griselda Luisa Terreno of Marcos Juarez, Argentina, succeeded in reactivating a family of nine that had resisted previous efforts.

``She reactivated the husband and wife, and the older children were baptized,'' Pres. Davis said. ``We've had so many good successes with activation.''; October 2, 2008 at 2:49 PM
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.; October 2, 2008 at 2:51 PM