Search
    11 November 2018 - Negril, Jamaica
    News Story

    At Last the Church Was Brought To Them

    Latter-day Saints in Negril Meet Closer to Home

      

    Sunday, November 5, 2018, was a very special day for the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the community of Negril, Jamaica.

    There are more than 6,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the island of Jamaica, but there are only a few in the area of Negril. And so, for a couple of years the members of the church have been traveling many miles every Sunday to Savanna-la-mar to attend services. This is as a result of the closure of a branch that was once in Negril. But on November 5, 2018, the church was brought to them.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 It was a simple shaded tent, a few new chairs and a small table for their Sacrament, but to the people in attendance, it was a long-awaited, beautiful site. They sang hymns of joy and gave thanks for this small step in having their beloved church brought closer to their homes.

                        

    There were about 30 people in attendance, including local members, many happy children, a few missionaries and even a few people who are not yet members, who are being taught the gospel of Jesus Christ by the missionaries.

    Fred Parker, President of the Jamaica Kingston Mission and President Barney, the 1st Counselor in the mission presidency, were present to participate in this joyful occasion.  Also, Brother Bailey from the branch presidency in Savanna-la-mar traveled to Negril to join with his beloved members.

                                         

    All of the members who arrived early helped put up the tent and set up the chairs. There was spiritual music playing as they worked together. Many people were singing along.

    The tent was set up near the home of Brother and Sister McKnight, members of the church. When the McKnight family was thanked for allowing this church service to be held in their yard, Brother McKnight simply said, “No, we are the ones who would like to thank all of you for helping this to happen. We will be so blessed as a family for having this church near our home.”  

    Sister White, a very elderly member, said that to attend in Savlamar she would often have to ride 3-4 taxis to get to church.  On this special day, she simply needed to travel a very short distance. She stood at one point during the services and thanked the Lord for at last having the church so near to her home. She expressed how much she “loved the Lord Jesus Christ” and how grateful she was to be “a member of His restored gospel.”  Many in attendance had tears of joy in their eyes as they listened to one another share their feelings about this special day in Negril.

            

    STYLE GUIDE NOTE: When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide. 

    Read Previous Article International Day of Service: 150 projects, 55,000 beneficiaries Read Next Article Open House and Dedication Dates Announced for the Port-au Prince Temple

    Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.