When you last met in general Conference, I did not have the pleasure to be with you, as I was then laboring among the Saints in the Orient. I had a very interesting mission to that part of the earth.
As you know, we have a number of Saints in the Turkish empire. During the massacres which occurred in Armenia a few years ago, our brethren and sisters there were left without any Elders form Zion to preside over them. The Presidency of the church sent Brother Hintze and myself over there last December to organize the Church more fully.
We found that the Saints there had not lost the spirit of the work. It is quite a testimony to me that the Spirit of God works the same, makes the same manifestations wherever it is enjoyed. The Saints there enjoy the spirit of the Gospel, rejoice in that which they have received, and the Spirit had led them to a right understanding.
I was pleased to see them so well grounded in the principles of the Gospel, especially when I thought of their not having access to any of our Church works. Only a few of the Saints were able to read English, and we have not yet any of our Church works translated into Turkish. Our brethren and sisters there have not been able to read our accepted works, except the Bible, nor any of our published sermons; and still we found them in full accord with the belief and faith of the church. They were very happy to have us come and visit them.
We organized a branch of the Church at Aintab. I do not think that such a condition will again arise there, as that of the Saints of the largest branch being left under the presidency of a Priest only. We found brethren there worthy of presiding, worthy of the Priesthood, and ordained them.
– Anthon H. Lund (October 1898)
I quite like this – it’s a good reminder that the church is the same church everywhere. Not because of the manuals, the two hour block, or whatever metric becomes the next measure of the divinity of correlation. But because the holy Spirit, belief and faith are the same everywhere, and God’s promises are the same to everyone.
Incidentally, when he refers to them as being “worthy of presiding, worthy of the Priesthood” is that referring to the Melchezidek priesthood?
Amazing.
Seth: Yes.
Thanks Ardis. I guess the Melchezidek priesthood and temples have become so entwined in my mind that it’s somewhat odd to me. Although, when there were far fewer temples I suppose that was much more normal outside the mountain west.