Hello and Farewell, Elders

Elder Zachary Miller, grandson of Charles and Diane Miller, is newly home from "the most amazing experience of my life" as a full-time missionary in the Nicaragua Managua South Mission.

The first missionaries came to Nicaragua in 1953, but in 1978 a civil war broke out forcing foreigners to leave the country.  In 1980 the political climate had cooled and work was resumed.  In October, 1989 when the Nicaragua Managua Mission was created, membership had grown to approximately 3,500.  In less than two years, membership increased to 8,000 and five years later membership had doubled. In July 2010 a second mission was created to meet the growing demand for the gospel message.  Today there are more than 67,000 members and two missions – Nicaragua Managua North and Nicaragua Managua South - in this Central American country.

Zachary, a student at the University of Utah prior to his mission, is giving some thought to transferring to BYU now that he is home.  Regardless of which school he attends he will need to choose a major.  He thinks there is the possibility of law school in his future but his first priority, now that he has put away his black name badge, is to find a job.  

Jared Ford enters the MTC in Provo this week in final preparation for two years of fulltime service in the Montana Billings Mission.  The oldest son of Scott and Sophie and a 2012 graduate of Tuacahn High School, states he would have enjoyed the opportunity to learn a language but is happy to serve the Lord and His children in Montana.  He is also quick to point out he already has lots of warm clothing based on the recommendation of numerous people here in sunny St. George who have lived in Big Sky Country.

The first few members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found their way to Montana during the gold rush of the 1860’s where they traded with the Flathead Indians and eventually settled in the area. Others followed the Montana Trail from the Church's Fort Lemhi settlement on the Salmon River.  The gold discovery, followed by the completion of the overland railway in 1869, attracted others until in 1896 the Montana Mission was established.  In October 1897, Church leaders in Montana received the promise of religious freedom from then-Governor John E. Rickards.  The Church’s first official meeting was held in Anaconda with 75 in attendance.  

Today, the Church in Montana - with an overall population of just over a million people - has nearly 48,000 members, 120 congregations, one mission and the Billings Montana Temple, which was dedicated in 1999.