ANNIVERSARIES ARE A BIG DEAL - LETS NOT FORGET THOSE WHO MADE IT HAPPEN

                              (this is a request for your help.  Hoping you will be able to assist us)

                                  

February 9, 1975 .  A normal Sunday on Vancouver Island.  But in Victoria, big things are up.  The 679th stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints was being organized. Hundreds of people had made it happen and been patiently 'waiting on the Lord'.  But today was the day.  By the way, to give a little perspective, there are currently nearly 3600 stakes throughout the world. 

     There is plenty written about the history of that day and what led up to it.  What has not been written, or at least gathered into one place, is the stories and the pictures of the people.  Some of them are gone and are working for us on the other side of the veil. But many of those folks are you who are reading this right now. Please know you and they are loved and truly respected.  The work you have achieved is amazing.  The world is a better place because of you. This Island is a better place because of you.  The church is better off  because of your sacrifice and your service.   We will never forget you. Thanks.

As we gather to worship on Sunday February 9, 2025, and as the days go forward, we are hoping that you will consider providing pictures from those earlier folks and church experiences..  Your personal story of conversion.  Your testimony of  Jesus Christ and his prophets.  Your love of the saints.  Your most enjoyable callings, etc.  In other words, a little about you and your family and a picture or two.   These are being compiled for a later date when we actually celebrate the anniversary.  (considering how much snow was received on the island this past week, we all agree that it was the right decision to postpone the official anniversary 'party' until may.)

Below you will see a list of different histories that we currently have in our possession. All of them given by you folks.   PLEASE, if you have others, share them with us.  We hope to include all of this material in one place for future reference while we work toward the next 50 years of  island history for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

  Now let us introduce you, from a different angle to some of the first latter day saints on Vancouver Island.

The sister in the middle is Sister Copley from the Copley's who came as the first members of the church in 1875.

Some little known news here.  The family had a son in 1880.  His middle name was Vancouver.  He lived until 1976.  Yup, he was still alive when the Victoria stake was created.

This is George Vancouver Copley. One of 14 children born to his parents.  Still alive in 1975.

Copley family photo        

Hey, your Family Tree is amazing.  Same picture, but by tagging and using facial recognition, it tells us who is in the photograph.  Check it out on your own family tree app. (available free to every member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Through the years we all learned to call him William.  But notice that he was born as Franciscus Josephus and not as William.  He was born in Germany.   Died in Duncan and is buried in Mill Bay.  All important info.  But who was he and what legacy did he and his wife leave?  That history is for another time, but here is something that you will relate to.  They have 12 girls and 2 boys.  Yup, she gave birth to at least 14 children. That family of Latter Day Saints on Vancouver Island has impacted all of us.  The story of how you go from Fillmore Utah to San Francisco to Nevada and finally to Vancouver Island is a story that still needs telling but for now, just remember this: His children and grandchildren say that even though they were here without the formally organized church for nearly 40 years, they taught their children the Gospel of Jesus Christ , bore testimony of the truth of the restoration, loved the prophet Joseph Smith, followed living prophets, did their own missionary work, and loved the Lord.  They were believers.

Get out a magnifying glass.  I bet some of you can find yourselves in this one.

We all continue to pray for final approval and announcement of where Victoria Temple will be built.  It won't be too long!

These are the histories that we currently have.  Please help us to find others.  Lets include all of this in the 'remembrance book' celebrating the 50th anniversary of the stake. (and please remember that this includes the entire island and so both current stakes are an important part of this)

Between now and May, we hope that you will keep searching your memories, computers, closets, drawers, storage bins, attics, and even under the bed where the box is  that you haven't seen in years.   You may well find a picture or document that will bring back a joyful memory for somebody who is in need of that joy.

Thanks for your efforts.

Please let us know.  You can call, email, facebook, text or whatever works for you.

Scott Johnson 801 735-6898        Scottjohnsonfinancial@gmail.com

Valerie Johnson 801 357-9306         Iamvalerie1000@gmail.com   

91 w 1880 n Orem, Utah 84057   

PS..  One other thing:  if you have not  requested to join or at least followed the stake facebook pages, please do so.  Help them get the word out.

 

Victoria BC Stake Communications

Victoria BC Stake - Latter-day Saints

Friends of The Nanaimo British Columbia Stake