August 2024 Newsletter

Inside This Issue:

• Editor’s Note
• Mansfield Ward Baptisms
• Aaronic Preisthood Commemoration
• The Power of Prayer
• Humanitarian Work Goes On
• A Very Special Meeting
• Chesterfield Anniversary Photos
• Ishmael and the Stick of Ephraim
• Barnsley Branch Photo
• Lamb of God 2025
• Roadshow 2024
• Mission Accomplished
• French MTC Teachers Wanted
• Called to Serve
• Chesterfield Gazette

Editor’s Note

For a job I publish a local magazine that goes out monthly. I do my best to make sure that content is of a high standard, but this month I made a blunder!

I forgot to insert the new Word Search puzzle and this left my readers bewildered. I’ve received several messages, emails and phone calls informing me of my mistake (with more to come, I’m sure!) and I’ve been intrigued by the differing reactions I’ve encountered.

Some readers have made mention of my error with hesitation, almost apologetically, not wanting to criticise or cause offence.

Others have blamed themselves for their inability to solve the puzzle, calling themselves stupid, pleading with me to show them the errors of THEIR ways!

And yet others have given me a real earful, berating me for poor proof reading and calling for the culprit to be sacked!

The last of these responses has made me consider how sometimes in this liberated, anything goes world of ours, there is often a surprising lack of tolerance. At times, people appear to expect perfection and are highly critical and unkind when they don’t get it.

Individuals aren’t allowed to make mistakes without being made to pay. Although in serious situations, offenders do need to be made accountable for their actions, at other times, kindness and understanding need to be shown.

None of us is perfect and it is unfair and unreasonable to expect it of others all the time. Being on the receiving end of others’ intolerance has made me determine not to be the one spoiling someone else’s day for an honest and human mistake.

Let’s remember the words of Paul on charity, and endeavour to “suffer long and be kind”.

Debbie Singh-Bhatti

Mansfield Ward Continues to Grow

There have been several baptisms in Mansfield Ward recently.

On Saturday 27th April, Amy Clements followed the example of the Savior by being baptised.

Saturday 15th June, Nick Gore made the decision to be baptised after being taught along with his wife, who is also being taught and prepared for baptism!

Charles Boateng entered the waters of baptism on Saturday 29th June.

On Saturday 27th July we saw four baptisms! Sisters Charity, Ady and Mia Sutherland, and Georgia Ward all entered the waters of baptism and became the newest members of the ward.

The work rolls forward as the members embrace the planting seeds initiative, with the number of friends attending on a Sunday increasing and the full time missionaries being busy with a growing teaching pool! What a joy it is to see!

Bishop Ashley Devine, Mansfield Ward

Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration

Coming together in the spirit of service, the youth of the Stake celebrated the Aaronic Priesthood restoration by heading to Graves Park Animal Farm to do some well needed service.

The Power of Prayer

On the 4th of July 2024 a category four hurricane hit Jamaica on the southern coast causing damage to houses. Twelve hours of rain and storms!

Hurricane Beryl hit Saint Elizabeth, where I was born, and where my sister still lives. It was a devastating blow to where she lives. I prayed hard for her to be safe, and also her home, as I knew her house was not built to withstand a hurricane.

When she managed to get in touch with me, she said only her house had its roof on and all her neighbour’s roofs were blown off and they were wondering how hers was not blown off. She had no electricity and her fences had been blown down.

Thank The Lord she was safe and still had a roof on her house. It goes to show the power of prayer and she was most grateful to the Lord for that.

Ida Cawley, Sheffield Second Ward

Humanitarian Work Goes On…

Ukraine has taken priority of our small charity over the past two years and we are still supporting them. I’m able to send money over on a monthly basis for materials such as camouflage nets and tourniquets, and food is also bought and distributed on or close to the front line in many areas.

As you know, we’re extremely grateful for all the support we’ve continued to receive, enabling us to give as much as possible to support such a worthy and horrendous cause.

But at the end of August I must head of to Africa, Mali, especially Diema, which is where our small centre is situated. It has been a little neglected of late, so I’ve plenty of projects to organise.

I’m hoping to set in motion my legacy programme there this season, so I ask for your prayers to enable me to fulfil my heart’s desires for the area.

It’s a tall order I know, but I want to have a couple of Cataract surgeons and a small team return again to Diema as we have so many issues with eye diseases.

With help from the Branch President of our Church in Bamako we are trying to set-up a small ophthalmic team. With your prayers and my faith, I know we will achieve our aims and objectives.

I also have several other projects that are in the pipeline, so please keep us in your prayers. Obviously my ultimate goal for the area is that we have a small Branch of our church there – after all it is the International Crossroads of the Country.

God Bless and thank you.

Pam Young, Sheffield Third Ward

A Very Special Meeting

Sunday 21st July was a special day for Chesterfield Ward as it held a special sacrament meeting to commemorate ten years since the dedication of its chapel.

In attendance were:

• Elder Carl Hirst of the Seventy (presiding)
• Elder Mark Dundon Area Seventy
• President Graeme Holt
• Brother Michael Gilmore (former Sheffield Stake President)
• Bishop John Mace
• Brother Simon Stanton (High Councillor)
• Brother Mark Hamilton (former Bishop)
• Brother Tim Pywell (former Branch President)

The ward had never experienced so many senior priesthood leaders in a meeting before!

Also in attendance was Cllr Barry Bingham, former Mayor of Chesterfield and friend of the Church, who has attended many events including the chapel open house, British Pageant, Wizard of Oz stake musical and Christmas Carol Concerts.

He has also facilitated many Helping Hands and Just Serve projects over the
last ten years. Barry said he enjoyed the meeting and agreed to meet with the Sister Missionaries the following Friday.

President Mark Dundon was assigned to dedicate the chapel. which was only one of three built in 2014 throughout the UK.

In his comments prior to giving the ground breaking prayer in February 2013, he said: “Fast that you will receive this great blessing, then once you have received it, fast in gratitude to the Lord for blessing you with it.”

Sister Valerie Bladon, who has served twice as Relief Society President in Chesterfield, acknowledged past members and missionaries who have served the ward and she also remembered the work the ward has done in building relationships in the community.

Members of the neighbouring Church of England have been invited to use the chapel car park for special events, and Muslim Sisters have used the church building to meet during the six weeks of Eid until they acquired a larger place of their own to worship.

M Russell Ballard said: “If we are true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ we will reach with love and understanding toward all our neighbours at all times.”

With the chapel being used by NHSBT (National Health Service Blood Transfusion Service), Chesterfield Family History Society, Chesterfield Interfaith and other groups, the Chesterfield Ward members have certainly followed that Apostolic Counsel.

Jesus taught: “In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these ye
have done it unto me.”

President Holt presented a certificate to Brother Mark Kay who has recently returned from his mission in Norway.

He read part of the letter sent by Mark’s mission president: “Elder Kay is a fine young man; he clearly loves the people here, both our friends and the members and especially his companions and fellow missionaries…

His commitment to this work and to doing his best was apparent to us all from the beginning… we will miss this fine young man who will forever have a place in the corner of our hearts with a positive impact he has had here.”

Sister Rosemary Wain is believed to be the oldest continuous member of the Church in Chesterfield, joining the church on 1st February 1964.

Now living in a nursing home, she told Bishop Mace: “I never dreamed Chesterfield would be a ward. We were a small branch. When we got the chapel it was beyond my wildest dreams.”

Bishop Mace commented: “Today we are able to stand on holy ground in our own chapel. It is wonderful we can be taught from on high, and we can feel the Spirit here in our own building. I testify that this is the church of Jesus Christ and he lives!”

Sister Rachael Stewart, the current Relief Society President, recalled: “When Jonathan and I moved here we were quite tired. We had been in a ward where we had five or six callings between us if not more; we felt we needed a rest.

President Gilmore had other ideas, calling Jonathan to be Branch President. That was twenty years ago and we love it here and we don’t plan to leave.

We had made covenants in the temple and we knew that we had to serve and get to know people and it was one of the best things that we did.

A big part of my testimony is my own personal journey to bring me closer to my Saviour and Heavenly Father, and it is only through serving and callings that I believe we can do that.”

Brother Michael Gilmore commented: “What a lovely chapel this is… It’s dedicated to the worship of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ; it is also a testimony to the faithfulness and perseverance, the patience, the diligence of the local members.

I remember in 2005 the disappointment from many of you when President Hinckley, because of the world financial crisis, pulled the plug on all buildings that were going to be built, and one of those was Chesterfield.

I remember that disappointment and I shared it with you. But you kept faithful, you kept paying your tithes, you kept serving, you kept attending church, you kept alive your temple recommends, showing the Lord the dedication that you have in your testimonies.”

Fast forward to 2010 and Elder Kopiscke came to Sheffield Stake Conference and asked President Gilmore what requests he had.

A chapel for Chesterfield was mentioned and Elder Kopiscke said “Watch and wait.” In early 2011 a letter arrived, announcing that the Chesterfield chapel would be built.

“This is an example to me,” Brother Gilmore remarked, “that in our lives we get knock backs, we get ups and downs, but it’s important that we try and stay faithful to the gospel.

We keep doing what we should be doing, we continue to serve and to attend and help one another to go to the temple, and as we do that we will be blessed.”

Elder Mark Dundon of the Seventy said: “I endorse every testimony I have heard today. It’s not so much about what we have in here (the chapel) it’s more about what can happen in here (our hearts), the miracles that can happen in people’s lives and hearts as they strive to become closer to the Saviour Jesus Christ and make and keep covenants with him.

I am grateful to partake of the sacrament today… it is a moment when I can partake, renew my covenants, remember the Saviour Jesus Christ and receive the promised blessings in the prayer. I testify of Jesus Christ.

He is real, Heavenly Father is real, and the Holy Ghost is absolutely real – it’s through him that we feel of their love. We receive promptings, we act, and we love… I am grateful for each of them as members of the Godhead.

Please take time to build a relationship with each of them; please invest your time day by day so you build a relationship with them and feel of their Spirit. Open up that conduit so that each day blessings may be poured out upon you.”

Brother Jeremy Kay, Chesterfield Ward

Ishmael and the Stick of Ephraim

The prophet Lehi learned from the Brass Plates of Laban that he was a descendant of Joseph son of Jacob, who was sold into Egypt (1 Nephi 5:14). Therefore he chose the names Jacob and Joseph for his next two sons, born in the wilderness.

During our study of the teachings of Amulek last month, we learned that Lehi was specifically of the tribe of Manasseh, a son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt (Alma 10:3).

Ezekiel’s prophecy described the Book of Mormon as a record “For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim” (37:16) and “the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim” (37:19).

The Lord confirms this interpretation in a revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith in August 1830, in which he refers to “Moroni, whom I have sent unto you to reveal the Book of Mormon, containing the fullness of my everlasting gospel, to whom I have committed the keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim” (Doctrine & Covenants 27:5), which explains why the gold plates were returned into the custody of the one holding those keys, once the prophet Joseph had completed the divinely assigned task of translation.

The relationship of the Book of Mormon peoples specifically to Ephraim the son of Joseph who was sold into Egypt is to be found nowhere in our current scriptures.

However, the Prophet Joseph remembered from his original translation of the first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon that Ishmael was of the lineage of Ephraim.

Of this fact, Elder Erastus Snow of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified (Journal of Discourses Vol.23:184). Since the sons of Lehi married the daughters of Ishmael, their grandchildren belonged to both the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

In a recent telephone call with the Nancy, France Stake Patriarch, Jean-Pierre Mortz, he expressed to me his concern that, in giving a Patriarchal Blessing to a Sister of South American origin, he had pronounced her lineage as of the tribe of Ephraim through the loins of Ishmael.

Since the source of this information has never been translated into French and Brother Mortz does not read English, he only learned this fact by pure revelation. He was relieved to learn of the above, which proved to be a faith-promoting experience for both of us.

Brother Keith Bishop, Doncaster Ward

Members of Barnsley Branch

Lamb of God 2025

Roadshow 2024

On 16th November at the Stake Centre, we are bring back the roadshows! It will be a time travelling, alien-busting extravaganza!

• Our hero and friends find a strange looking box with very attractive levers and buttons. Before they know it they are lost in space and time, trying to find their way home
• Each roadshow continues the story in a 10 minute episode involving an alien, a dastardly plot, an innovative twist and a lot of running. More info and help is on its way
• Digital scenery, spots, smoke and effects all provided. Just need a script, an alien costume and one prop to participate.
• Lots of awards to win, and high entertainment for all

Mission Accomplished

French MTC Teachers Wanted

Called to Serve

Mansfield Ward is blessed to have two young men who have decided to answer the call to serve the Lord.

Malachi Basoah received his call to serve the Lord in the Ghana Accra West mission and will be leaving August 30th 2024. Malachi has long desired to serve a mission and share the gospel.

Joseph Martin has received his call to serve in the Auckland New Zealand mission, entering the New Zealand MTC on 6th December 2026.

Having been Malachi’s bishop since his family moved into the ward five years ago, it has been a joy to see him grow and prepare himself to serve and as a ward we are incredibly proud of him and look forward to hearing about his experiences!

Likewise, having known Joe since their family moved into the ward almost nine years ago, seeing him grow through youth and into being a young adult.

It’s a very special time in the ward as we see the rising generation fulfilling their potential and serving the Lord.

Bishop Ashley Devine, Mansfield Ward

Chesterfield Emigrating Saints & Early Church History

Issue 01