(L to R) Elder Werner, Sunir Pokharel, Karna Ghale, and Elder Low (pictured above) shared a most incredible day with us yesterday. Elder Werner baptized Karna, and Elder Low baptized Sunir. It was a most meaningful service and we thank Brother Nieman for his leadership in making all go so well. Brother Gabe Kane spoke about the ordinance of baptism. Sister Emily Thornock taught about the gift of the Holy Ghost, likening it to help needed on a mountain trek of Mt. Everest. Next new members shared their testimonies, Julius Ngeskebei, Bill Bradley and Melissa Soto. Each bore beautiful testimonies, Julius about feeling the power of the Spirit in his life. Bill told about how much he appreciated the fellowship and acceptance he felt from the ward. Melissa said when she heard the gospel "she felt like she was home." Sunir and Karna were welcomed to the ward by Bishop Glass and Elders Quorum by Brother Eastman. There was such a marvelous spirit there and such support. Next we usually serve some refreshments and celebrate the occassion, but because it was Fast Sunday we had the Elders, Sunir and Karna and our friend, Nephi Mata to our home for dinner. We learned more about Sunir and Karna, who are from Katmandu, Nepal. Both will be leaving Astoria soon to attend BYU. Karna told us that the gospel of Jesus Christ helped him to solve a lot of the mysteries of life. It has taught him the reasons behind our birth and our missions in life. He feels really blessed to be a part of this wonderful community. Sunir has "cherished his time in the Astoria Ward." He said he's learned many things as he had been introduced to the words of God that he was not aware of. He's eager to use the path that has been shown to him and excel at BYU. What a wonderful blessing the gospel is for all of us...we get to witness their new found joy and love for the Lord. Meet the extra-special Lariego Family. We have so enjoyed our association with each of them. Lenzci, affectionately called LJ, was baptized by her father, Jose on July, 27th. She is such a sweetheart and the greatest joy in her parents life. The whole ward just loves her! We have attended several convert baptisms, but Lenzci was the first child in the Astoria Ward, (8 years old,) to be baptised since we arrived. Jose is the High Priest Group Leader Chas serves with, and Ellen serves as the Primary President. They contribute a great deal to the ward in their service. Jose is very kind and always willing to help going on splits with the Elders. Ellen shows a tender heart, perfect for a leader with children. Lenzci's told me she was so happy there were so many ward members and family members there to join in her special day! The program was beautiful and Lenzci accompanied the Primary children and leaders, at the piano as they sang, I Am a Child of God. After her baprism Lenzci was also given the gift of the Holy Ghost when she was confirmed by her father. Elder West was so pleased to be invited to join in that special circle. Afterwards there was a delicious dinner for all and fun balloons that said, "It's great to be 8!" Everyone wrote notes to LJ for her memory book and it was a great day. Congratulations to Lenzci and all the Lariegos! We're so glad we were there.
“Service is the virtue that has distinguished the great of all times and which they will be remembered by.It places a mark of nobility upon its disciples.It is the dividing line which separates the two great groups of the world–those who lift and those who lean, those who contribute and those who only consume.How much better it is to give than to receive.Service in any form is comely and beautiful.To give encouragement, to impart sympathy, to show interest, to banish fear, to build self-confidence and awaken hope in the heart of others, in short–to love them and to show it –is to render the most precious service.”
Bryant S. Hinckley
New York South Mission Blog
New Astoria Ward Members
WEST'S NEW YORK, NEW YORK SOUTH MISSION
January 10, 2008 we arrived in Queens, New York. We are currently serving as full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were called to serve in the New York, New York South Mission. It is a special and unique assignment. Serving here is like teaching all nations, with missionaries who teach in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Russian and American Sign Language. Nearly 10 million people live within our mission, representing 112 nationalities. We are blessed to be serving along side the most incredible missionaries in the world! We love President and Sister Bennion who have been cherished friends since he was the president of Ricks College. We are happy to be serving the Lord and living on Steinway Street in Astoria. Thank you for visiting our blog! Please feel free to leave comments or questions. It makes our day:-)
After almost 37 years of teaching dance at BYU-Idaho, Charles retired December 31, 2007. All of our children danced with the BYU-I Folk Dancers, so as a family we donned costumes for one last memory together.
Below, all of the West Family, pictured below the glorious, new Rexburg Temple.
(Michael Lewis Photography, Thanksgiving 2007)
Be grateful Be smart Be involved Be clean Be true Be positive Be humble Be still Be prayerful
by President Gordon B. Hinckley
Parley P. Pratt
History of the New York, New York South Mission
Long before our mission was organized, Elder Parley P. Pratt was the first missionary in this dispensation to preach the Gospel in New York City and Long Island.
This mission has significant historic roots. It is the heart of the former Eastern States Mission which was established in 1839.
That mission, headquartered in Brooklyn, enjoys the distinction of being the second oldest mission of the Church, behind the British Mission.
The Eastern States Mission consisted of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia in 1948. Since that time, many changes have been made in the boundries of the mission.
The name of the mission was changed from the Eastern States Mission to the New York New York Mission in 1974. At that time the mission included the following areas: New York State as far as Poughkeepsie, the entire state of Connecticut, a small part of Massachusetts, as well as part of New Jersey and the island of Bermuda. The mission boundaries were once again changed in 1976 excluding Massachusetts and all of the state of Connecticut, with the exception of Fairfield County.
In 1987, after another boundary change was made, the New York New York Mission consisted of the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island), Long Island, New York State north to Poughkeepsie, a portion of Connecticut and the island of Bermuda.
The mission was divided once again in 1993. The New York New York South Mission encompasses the New York City boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island, as well as the New York counties of Nassau and Suffolk on Long Island. It also includes the small British Island of Bermuda in the Atlantic.
This beautiful stone building, center, located at 973 5th Avenue, across from Central Park, served as headquarters of the Eastern States Mission in 1963.
New York New York South Mission Home
The current Mission Home is located in a lovely neighborhood in Port Washington, New York.
Live in such a way that those who know you, but don't know Christ will want to know Christ because they know you.
Those who love Christ the most, are the most Christlike.
Welcome Spring
"All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar."
Helen Hayes
Newsroom - LDS Church 3
A Passion for Primroses
"I promise that when you get your release, if you have forgotten yourself these years, all will have come to you, the things that you might have wished for yourself, and you shall have them all, even though you did not anticipate and wait for them. You shall have obtained knowledge and the spirit of the gospel, and your testimony shall have increased. You shall be polished; you shall have a sublime and beautiful life."
President Spencer W. Kimball (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 589)
(L to R) Elder Werner, Sunir Pokharel, Karna Ghale, and Elder Low (pictured above) shared a most incredible day with us yesterday. Elder Werner baptized Karna, and Elder Low baptized Sunir. It was a most meaningful service and we thank Brother Nieman for his leadership in making all go so well. Brother Gabe Kane spoke about the ordinance of baptism. Sister Emily Thornock taught about the gift of the Holy Ghost, likening it to help needed on a mountain trek of Mt. Everest. Next new members shared their testimonies, Julius Ngeskebei, Bill Bradley and Melissa Soto. Each bore beautiful testimonies, Julius about feeling the power of the Spirit in his life. Bill told about how much he appreciated the fellowship and acceptance he felt from the ward. Melissa said when she heard the gospel "she felt like she was home." Sunir and Karna were welcomed to the ward by Bishop Glass and Elders Quorum by Brother Eastman. There was such a marvelous spirit there and such support. Next we usually serve some refreshments and celebrate the occassion, but because it was Fast Sunday we had the Elders, Sunir and Karna and our friend, Nephi Mata to our home for dinner. We learned more about Sunir and Karna, who are from Katmandu, Nepal. Both will be leaving Astoria soon to attend BYU. Karna told us that the gospel of Jesus Christ helped him to solve a lot of the mysteries of life. It has taught him the reasons behind our birth and our missions in life. He feels really blessed to be a part of this wonderful community. Sunir has "cherished his time in the Astoria Ward." He said he's learned many things as he had been introduced to the words of God that he was not aware of. He's eager to use the path that has been shown to him and excel at BYU. What a wonderful blessing the gospel is for all of us...we get to witness their new found joy and love for the Lord. 
Meet the extra-special Lariego Family. We have so enjoyed our association with each of them. Lenzci, affectionately called LJ, was baptized by her father, Jose on July, 27th. She is such a sweetheart and the greatest joy in her parents life. The whole ward just loves her! We have attended several convert baptisms, but Lenzci was the first child in the Astoria Ward, (8 years old,) to be baptised since we arrived. Jose is the High Priest Group Leader Chas serves with, and Ellen serves as the Primary President. They contribute a great deal to the ward in their service. Jose is very kind and always willing to help going on splits with the Elders. Ellen shows a tender heart, perfect for a leader with children. Lenzci's told me she was so happy there were so many ward members and family members there to join in her special day! The program was beautiful and Lenzci accompanied the Primary children and leaders, at the piano as they sang, I Am a Child of God. After her baprism Lenzci was also given the gift of the Holy Ghost when she was confirmed by her father. Elder West was so pleased to be invited to join in that special circle. Afterwards there was a delicious dinner for all and fun balloons that said, "It's great to be 8!" Everyone wrote notes to LJ for her memory book and it was a great day. Congratulations to Lenzci and all the Lariegos! We're so glad we were there.
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