This bridge crosses the River Ribble near Preston, England,
where the first baptismal ordinance in the restored
church of Jesus Christ outside North America was performed
July 30, 1837.
Apostle Heber C. Kimball stood in the river and greeted
George D. Watt, the first to be baptized.
After the baptismal prayer, Heber immersed Brother Watt in
the water to complete the baptism.
I first visited this historic site in January of 1961, when
I was a new missionary serving in the British mission.
I already had a strong testimony, but it was a
spiritually inspiring occasion for me as I received an
overpowering witness of Jesus Christ and
his restored gospel.
I realized I was standing on sacred ground.
I felt renewed appreciation for the Prophet Joseph Smith,
for Elder Kimball, and those early missionaries as they
fulfilled this first mission to Great Britain.
The events surrounding Elder Kimball's
call are truly edifying.
In June of 1837, in the Kirtland Temple, the Prophet
Joseph received divine guidance with respect to
missionary work.
Joseph approach Elder Kimball, one of the apostles, and said,
"Brother Heber, the Spirit of the Lord has whispered to me.
Let my servant Heber go to England and proclaim my
gospel, and open the door of salvation to that nation."
Within 10 days, Heber and his fellow missionaries commenced
their journey.
After crossing the ocean, they held their first public
meeting with the congregation in the Vauxhall Chapel in
Preston, England.
On that very day in Kirtland, Ohio, the Prophet Joseph
received a magnificent revelation on missionary work
in which the Lord said in part, "I say unto all the
Twelve, follow me and feed my sheep.
Go Ye into all the world, and preach my gospel unto every
creature who has not received it.
And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."
On that mission to England, the villages in the Ribble
Valley were particularly fruitful.
Downham looks today much as it did in 1837.
Joseph Fielding, one of the missionaries, wrote: "There is
a wonderful work in Downham.
It appears as though the whole of the inhabitants were
turning to the Lord.
They are full of love."
When the time came for the missionaries to set out for
home, Heber recorded in his journal that the villagers
followed him and wept like little children.
Heber also wept.
He was so filled with emotion, that he had to stop several
times to bathe his eyes in the river and gain his composure
before he could proceed.
This mission exceeded all expectations, and opened the
door to missionary work in England.
A significant portion of the membership of the Church today
can identify ancestors who accepted the restored gospel
of Jesus Christ as a result of early missions
to the British Isles.
Since that time, more than one million missionaries have
spread to the four corners of the earth to carry the gospel
of Jesus Christ to the world.
Today, more than half of the members of the church live
outside North America.
As an apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ, I testify that
we are all spirit children of a loving Father in Heaven who
wants us to return to His presence.
He has provided a way through His son, Jesus Christ, our
Savior and Redeemer, for us to return to Him.
It is my privilege and responsibility to be a special
witness of Jesus Christ, His Atonement, and His supernal
transcendent mission.
Sacred experiences throughout my life allow me to express
the overwhelming feelings of love I have for the Savior,
and to testify that He lives.
Of this I bear solemn apostolic witness in the name
of Jesus Christ, Amen.