Fireside Chats

The Fireside Chats were a series of thirty evening radio addresses given by Franklin Delano Roosevelt between 1933 and 1944. Sometimes beginning his talks with "Good evening, friends," Roosevelt urged listeners to have faith in the banks and to support his New Deal. Roosevelt continued his broadcasts into the 1940s, as Americans turned their attention to World War II. FDR’s first fireside chat was March 12, 1933, which marked the beginning of a series of 30 radio broadcasts to the American people reassuring them the nation was going to recover and shared his hopes and plans for the country. 

A Fireside is a supplementary, evening meeting in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They are usually held for a subset of members (youth, YSA, SIngle Adults, etc.) of a congregation or congregations in an area, has a single speaker on a religious topic and lasts from one to two hours. . A fireside is most commonly held on Sunday evenings, but may be held on any day of the week. They are often held in a meeting house, Institute of Religion or a personal residence, depending on the number of people expected to attend. Usually, refreshments are served afterwards while the attendees mingle.

Now that you know about Firesides, we can talk about the Mission Home Firesides, held twice monthly, once for English and once for Spanish. It is a bit of a misnomer to call them Mission Home Firesides since they actually are not being held in the Mission Home as of last fall. When we began our three years here, the numbers attending were manageable, averaging fifty to sixty with an occasional ninety in the mix. Last summer, though, those attending numbered ninety on a regular basis, which means we were bursting at the seams, squeezing everyone into the living room of the Mission Home. The night in the Autumn that we stopped counting at 170 at an English Fireside, with many not even getting in the door, the decision was made to move the event over to the church on Eastern Parkway, adjacent to the Mission Office. As a result some of the intimacy has been lost, but at least everyone has a chair to sit on and room to breathe.

The "ticket" for missionaries its to have an investigator or new convert with them. During the fireside, a single speaker or a couple tells of their conversion story or talks on a subject related to faith and conversion. Then the floor is opened to anyone who wants to bear their testimony. SOme of these testimonies come from missionaries or long-time members, but most come from newly baptized individuals or people who have baptismal dates. Occasionally someone will stand who is being taught by the missionaries and that very evening have decided to be baptized. It is an experience that builds the faith of those in attendance.

After the closing song and prayer we serve refreshments thereby enabling people to mingle and thereby buoyed up.

Here are some pictures of past firesides both in the Mission Home and at the church, including some of the wonderful speakers, and the equally wonderful investigators, new members, and missionaries who attended:

Richard Neal, a counselor in the Stake Presidency, told of his
remarkable conversion and the difference it has made in his life

One of the Spanish firesides at the Mission Home

Louisville Temple President, Larry Lunt, is a retired General,
and was President of the Kentucky Louisville Mission from 1990-1993.
He spoke at an English fireside about patriotism and the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The dad in this family had already joined the Church
and the mom and two older children were about to be baptized.

Alan and Katy Harvey gave a moving account of their recent conversion

The children all had Future Missionary badges on
so they could be like the older missionaries.

Brother and Sister Howard
Brother Howard spoke at a Spanish Fireside
about his conversion

A Spanish fireside at the Mission Home

Socializing outside the Mission Home

President and Sister Woodbury with Brother and
Sister Smith, who spoke at an English fireside

After a Spanish fireside
The missionaries are Hermanas Kearlsey, Arreola, and Velasquez
and Elders Meisel, Ferguson, Adams, and Howard

and Rita Thorne spoke at an English Fireside.
Their conversion story is wonderful!

Recent convert Felton Spencer and his two nieces

Pablo Marquin spoke and told of his conversion at a Spanish Fireside

Spanish fireside

Some of our terrific missionaries who had
brought investigators to the Spanish fireside:
Hermanas Bunkall, Messerly, Velasquez, Christensen,
 Lawter, Okey, and Carnahan
Elders Singleton and Gonzalez

Cassandra and John Colondres told of their inspiring
conversion stories at an English fireside

Mark and Valerie Blackwell (pictured below)
have great conversion stories

Some of the darling girls who have attended the English-firesides

Elder Marcus Nash of the Seventy was the speaker at well-attended
Spanish Fireside.  Elder Nash speaks Spanish fluently.

Visiting after the English fireside

Brother and Sister Grant who recently joined the Church,
spoke at an English fireside

Mingling at the church following a Spanish-fireside

April Showers the GKLM with a Great Mission Leadership Council

Mission Leadership Council - April 8, 2014
Elder Anderson, Elder Crichton, Sister Reeder, Elder Hawes, Elder Tuttle, Elder WHitehead, Elder Dopp, Elder Rasmussen, Elder Champion, Elder Stohel, Elder Torgersen, Elder Sizelove, Hermana Evans, Elder Burdge

         As members of the Mission Leadership Council for the first time, Sister Williams as a new Sister Training Leader, and Elder Champion, Elder Kidd, Elder Torgersen, and Elder Edwards as Zone Leaders, were heartily welcomed and jumped right in to the council's activities. It was April 8th, and it also marked the first time for Elder Dopp, formerly a Zone Leader, in his new role as an Assistant to the President.

         After the customary serenade for President and Sister Woodbury from the Mission Home walkway, they and the other amazing Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders, and Assistant to the President, Elder Whitehead, came inside and gathered again in the Training Room downstairs.

        After the usual song and prayer, the President went over calendaring and some issues and information that needed to be taken back to the other missionaries.

        The Zone Leader companionships each in turn gave their Zone Reports, including numbers for their Zone and each District, and how each District did during the past month. The Sister Training Leader companionships for the East, Central, West, and Hermanas then gave their report on the strengths and weaknesses observed in theirs stewardships, and what they had been working on and targeting during their twenty-four hour training exchanges with each Sister in the mission. President Woodbury began his Tune-Ups, topics, items, and problems that needed to be addressed, continuing after the delicious lunch Sister Woodbury had prepared, with Sister Orr assisting in the final preparation and with the clean-up afterward.

Elder Rasmussen and Elder Anderson giving their Zone Report

In the afternoon the President continued his Tune-Ups followed by discussion and counseling together regarding several challenges and areas that needed to be targeted during the month.
        Elder Whitehead and Elder Dopp took over to do training which included a skit/demonstration and role-plays for the Council to take back to their Zones and STL areas.

Elder Whitehead and Elder Dopp doing skit/object lesson
about giving investigators what they need to get to the
point of baptism. Elder Tuttle and Elder Torgerson at this point
were told they could only use their torso to move toward the goal.

Now they could use their upper legs and arms, but no hands or feet.

Sister Reeder and Sister Williams held the prize behind their backs

Now able to use their entire bodies, the Elders made it to the goal and were given their cup of water.

Fully enabled by the things they had been provided  by the
missionaries, the investigators were able of the blessings of
conversion and testimony.

Role-playing about using a baptismal calendar to
help the investigators progress toward baptism.

        Since there isn't a Transfer this month, no one gave their parting testimony to the Council, so after wrapping up a few things, singing a closing song and having a kneeling prayer, the meeting was adjourned until next month. 
        After the group picture several needed Temple Recommend renewals and separate meetings with the President, everyone went back out to go and strengthen the rest of the mission. Mission LEadership Councils are awesome, just like the people involved!

The April Transfers

        Sometimes the flights are delayed, and other times they are early, but this time around, the flight from Atlanta was right on time. The seven Elders and two Sisters had left the Provo or Mexico City Missionary Training Centers early that morning, having had just a few hours of sleep before their journey to Kentucky had begun. In fact one of the Elders had never gotten to sleep at all, being so nervous and excited to begin. Still, they came around the corner of the terminal with smiling faces and joy in their hearts. President Woodbury and I were there to greet them, along with the three current Assistants to the President, Elder Z. Evans, Elder Whitehead, and Elder Dopp, and the Woodbury's daughter, Heather, and her five children, visiting from Salt Lake City.

Our first glimpse of the GKLMs newest missionaries

Here they are!

At the Louisville Airport
Elder SPring, Elder Birky, Elder Whitehead, Elder Clayson, President Woodbury, Elder Lowry, Elder Z. Evans, Elder Dopp, Elder Watson, Elder S. Martin, Hermana Barajas, Sister Parker, Sister Woodbury, Elder D. Jensen

        After retrieving their luggage and loading it into the mission trailer, pulled by the mission van, everyone traveled the short distance to the Mission Home, where President Woodbury and I live while here in the GKLM. After settling in, the Elders in the twelve bed bunk room on the left side and the Sisters into one of the two four bed bunk rooms on the right, all gathered back in the living room for a fruit and cheese snack and the beginning of orientation by Yours Truly and individual interviews with President Woodbury.

Elder D. Jensen

Elder Lowry

Elder S. Martin

Elder Clayson

Sister Parker

Elder Watson

Hermana Barajas

Elder Spring

Elder Birky

         At dinner, we were joined by the two couples who serve at the Mission Office, Elder and Sister Moulton and Elder and Sister Halvorsen. Moving to the Training Room downstairs afterward, we were treated to the traditional skit about a missionary's first day in the mission by the Assistants to the President, followed by the bearing of testimonies of the new missionaries, Assistants, and PResident Woodbury and myself. Since the group is small, the President had been able to conduct all the interviews before the  dinner, so the exhausted Elders and Sisters were able, gratefully, to get right to bed. 

The skit begins with the alarm going off in the morning

Elder Whitehead was the Trainer and Elder Dopp was the newly-
arrived missionary 

The new missionary overwhelming a passer-by with his enthusiasm
(two of the Woodbury grandsons enjoying the skit)

The two Elders praying for help to be able to find someone
who will listen to the message of the Restored Gospel

At the same time the Elders were praying, a man was also praying
for help from God 

The man welcomes them in and is receptive to their message
The new missionary is so excited he now wants to knock on every door!

In the skit the night before, the experienced missionary had
introduced practicing "baptism squats" as a way to exercise.
While waiting for breakfast they all gave it a try.

        A hot breakfast started the next morning off, followed by Companionship Study with the Assistants and instruction by Elder Moulton regarding finances, and pictures with President and Sister Woodbury and as a group.

Sister Woodbury, Elder Lowry, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Spring, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder S. Martin, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Birky, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Sister Parker, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Hermana Barajas, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder D. Jensen, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Watson, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Clayson, President Woodbury

The Transition of the Assistants to the President
Elder Z. Evans, finishing his time as an Assistant, Elder Whitehead, President Woodbury,
and Elder Dopp, newly-called

Elder Whitehead and future missionary, Cole,
one of the Woodbury's grandsons

Top: Elder Jensen, Elder Clayson, Elder Watson Elder Lowry
Middle: Sister Parker, Elder Spring, Elder Birky, Elder S. Martin, President Woodbury
Front: Hermana Barajas, Sister Woodbury

        At 10:00 am, the Transfer Meeting began over at the church adjacent to the Mission Office, a ten minute drive from the Mission Home. To begin, the departing missionaries had their chance to give Words of Wisdom. It being April Fool's Day, the new missionaries then were introduced and assigned to their first companion/Trainer, courtesy, just this once, by the Sorting Hat, voiced off-stage by the two oldest Woodbury grandsons. After singing "Called-to Serve" the rest of the Transfers were announced, new companions acknowledging each other across the room with a wave or thumbs-up. The meeting ended with "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" in honor of those valiant missionaries going home the next day. 
        Hugs and photos ensued, as well as a Training Meeting for the new arrivals and their Trainers, and lunch for those needing to stay after. 

Elder Sainsbury, Elder Jonas

Hermana Lawrence, Hermana Porter, Hermana Wilbur,
Hermana Wilkinson, Sister M. Peterson 

Elder Burns, Elder J. Arnold 

Elder Ch. Johnson, Elder Z. Evans, Elder Dopp, Elder Torgersen 

Elder Eastin, Elder D. Jensen, Elder Ch. Johnson,
Elder Z. Evans, Elder Hansen

Sister Egbert, Sister Brian

Elder J. Johnson, Elder Spring, Elder Bauer, Elder Beale

Elder Gallagher, Elder LeFevre

Sister Anderson, Sister Williams

Elder Clayson, Elder Naylor, Elder Geary

Elder Watson, Elder ban Beekum, Elder Jonas, Elder S. Martin,
Elder Hansen, Elder Morrow, Elder J. Johnson, Elder Skousen

Sister Singleton and Sister Heywood

Sister Short and Sister Kankamp

       The Trainers and Trainees had their pictures taken with President and Sister Woodbury before taking off to their first area together.

Sister Woodbury, Elder Newbold, Elder Lowry, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Torrico, Elder Birky, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Van Beekum, Elder Watson, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Naylor, Elder Clayson, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Eastin, Elder D. Jensen, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Sister Bauer, Sister Parker, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Blauer, Elder Spring, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Hansen, Elder S. Martin, President Woodbury 

Sister Woodbury, Hermana Hansen, Hermana Barajas, President Woodbury 

Outside the Mission Office
Elder Stohel, Elder Ch Johnson, Elder Z. Evans, Elder Champion 

Hermana Barajas and Hermana Hansen showing that this
is Hermana Barajas' first day as a real missionary

        Then those going home got their time in the spotlight.

Our Departing Missionaries
(Sister and President Woodbury), Sister C. Goodrich, Sister Egbert, Elder Gonzalez, Elder Ham,
Elder Robison, Elder Knudsen

        Thanks to the kindness of the Temple President and his wife, we had a special session at the Louisville held just for us. Elder and Sister Halvorsen and Elder Moulton were also with us. 

At the Louisville Temple
Top: Elder Ham, Elder Halvorsen, Elder Moulton, Elder Gonzalez
Middle: Elder Knudsen, Sister Moulton, Sister Moulton, President Woodbury
Sister C. Goodrich, Sister Egbert, Sister Woodbury, Elder Robison

        Back at the Mission Home the evening's agenda included dinner, a tender Testimony Meeting, and Exit Interviews with the President, as well as weighing and as needed, repacking bags, and a few group games before bed.  

Elder Gonzalez

Elder Ham

Elder Knudsen

Sister C. Goodrich

Sister Egbert

Elder Robison

        There were a few glitches in the flight plans of four of the missionaries but nevertheless, everyone eventually got off on their journey home. We miss them, but know the Lord is pleased with their missionary service and that it will bless their lives forever.