Attending the Hyde Park 2nd ward is an interesting experience.  Since it meets at 9 am it is definitely the ward for all tourists in town to attend.  Out of church at 10:10 am with the whole day ahead to sight see.  As a result Fast and Testimony meetings here are a combination of tourists and members of the ward.






The building is also a visitor's center and the family history library is open on Tuesday and Sunday afternoons.



On June 7th there is going to be a Europe wide televised conference, so last Sunday, May 31st, was Fast Sunday.  I wish that I had written about the meeting immediately because my memory is so poor.  As usual a combination of local and foreign testimonies.

An interesting threesome is about to break up in the mission field.  A tall blond woman bore her testimony and talked about the great experience she had with her two companions.  The other sister who is leaving bore her testimony also.  It was very obvious that the three sisters had grown to love each other. They were such a contrast in appearance.  One blond and fair shinned.  The other dark braided hair with dark skin.  It was not until we were walking home from church that the Professor told me that the two sisters were both from South Africa.  The third member of the trio was of African origin also.  Just writing about these women brings tears to my eyes.  It is a tiny step forward not just for the church but for the world that these two missionaries could serve together and love each other.

Most of the people who were tourists or in London on business talked about how much it meant to them to be in the country of their ancestors.  One young man talked about the Hyde Park ward.  This was his second trip to London this year on business.  He told how surprised he was to walk into the meeting and be greeted by American missionary couples.  The bishop is an American and so is one his counselors.  What a blow to this man's vision of going to church in London.  The first prayer for the sacrament was read by an American.  But the SECOND prayer was read by a Hyde Park ward member.  (I cannot remember this brother's name.)  He has a deep rich voice that is definitely English.  He has a thick head of white hair and had told us earlier that this month marks his 40th year as a member of the church.  He has done recordings for LDS scriptures and narrative voice on LDS films.  The man bearing his testimony said that when he heard that voice, he knew he really was in England.  He went on to apologize for secretly taping one of the English man's comments in priesthood when he was here months ago. He wanted to share it with his father.

Another American sister bore her testimony.  She was returning to London as a visitor after 40 years.  She expressed gratitude that the Hype Park chapel was a beautiful today as it was then.  It truly is not showing it's age.

Then she went on to talk about her father who flew an American bomber in WW II.  Naturally he was based in England.  In 1975 he came with his family to Europe to see people and places he remembered.  On a bombing mission, he was shot down over France.  She did not say what happened to the other crew members who bailed out.  Her father was found by two French brothers who were in the resistance.  They buried his parachute and immediately got him to safety.  The Germans would have seen the parachutes too and would be looking for the bomber crew.  It took him 2 1/2 months to get from northern France to the Pyrenees Mountains and at last to Spain.  The speaker did not tell us whether he was reunited with his corps and continued to fly.  But on their trip to Europe in 1975 he looked for the two young boys who had saved his life.  They were still there in their village and of course were grown men with families.  Her family still  visits the families of these Resistance fighters.  I got the impression that some how her father had written to them following the war and arranged to meet them.



Memorial to RAF bomber crews dedicated 2012

The meeting was extraordinary.  Every testimony added to the spirit that was there.  The Bomber's daughter expressed gratitude for the memorials remembering the US contribution to WW II.  I have a feeling that since this sister's father had defended England over 70 years that the UK members welcomed her with open arms after the meeting.

I cannot resist adding this memorial to the women who served in WW II