York Members Celebrate First Stake Created in the Canary Islands
In September this year, over forty years after the baptism of the first person from the Canary Islands to join the Church, Luz and I were privileged to attend and celebrate the creation of the first Stake of Zion there.
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| Luz and I sat on the front left of this picture |
What a joyous occasion! Tears of joy flowed freely and frequently as stories and memories of faithful pioneers brought the real meaning of the word sacrifice into appreciation.
We met with active family and friends and many who had returned to witness the stake being established after periods of inactivity. There were many, many smiles and hugs.
We met with Elder Jose L. Reina of the Seventy, who is a good friend of Luz’s family and who mentioned Luz’s parents with affection in his talk as he reminisced over some of the first members of the Church in the islands.
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| Elder Jose Teixeira at the pulpit |
We listened to inspired leaders teach Gospel direction to the gathered saints and visitors, including Elder Reina (otherwise affectionately known as ‘Pepon’!) who spoke about the supreme necessity for us all to leave past hurts behind and to forgive one another, and also Europe Area President Elder Jose Teixeira who celebrated the diverse and many nationalities of those being baptised across Europe.
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| Elder Reina with Brother Gomez, the first convert to the Church from the Canary Islands and currently the serving Bishop of Toledo Spain |
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| Luz’s niece Denise Roka with a friend |
For the full story please visit the official Spanish Mormon Newsroom website:
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