By:Laura Lane
When Margaret Wood left Idaho Falls, Idaho for Long Beach, she was terrified. As a descendent of many generations of Mormons, she had always felt close to her faith and wanted to share her joy with the world. When the church in Salt Lake City, Utah suggested that
she and her husband, Ralph go on a mission she was initially thrilled. However, the couple never dreamed that New York would be the chosen destination. Last November, leaving their little city of 50,000 the
Woods prayed that they would be safe.
"When we thought of New York, we thought of people living on top of each other and muggings," Sister Margaret Wood said. "My father was a potato farmer and dairyman. I didn't know how to shoot a gun."
After meeting and living amongst the people of Long Beach, the Woods opinion of New York has dramatically changed.
"Our impressions of Long Beach have been very favorable," Sister Wood said. "The merchants, our neighbors; I just can't believe people can be so nice! I've never been treated so well."
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often referred to as the Mormons, the Woods have struggled to increase the visibility of their church, a Christian church that is often
misunderstood. Like Catholics and Protestants, Congregants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe in the authenticity of the Bible, but also believe in additional teachings of Christ in a companion volume of scripture, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Members believe that the church was taken away from the people after Jesus Christ was crucified, and all authority was lost.
"We believe that the Lord restored everything through the prophet Joseph Smith, and he translated The Book of Mormon as another witness of Jesus Christ," Sister Wood explained. "The Book of Mormon, was written by prophets on this continent whereas [the Bible] was written in the old country, Jerusalem."
The prophet's words written on gold plates were quoted, and abridged by the profit-historian named Mormon. After the account was complete, Mormon gave the writings to his son Moroni, who hid the plates. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Moroni appeared as a resurrected being in 1823 to Joseph Smith and in due course delivered the plates, which were then translated by the gift and power of God. Joseph Smith committed his
life to the establishment of the Mormon faith and today, members prepare for Christ's second coming, as do other Christian churches throughout the world.
Originally, the Long Island chapter of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met in Uniondale. A decision was made to split the church into different locations to help members to find Sunday worship
closer to their homes.
The upper room was opened in Long Beach on November of 1996 at 66 West Park Avenue, and Wales Buell became President.
"We are like a family having only 20 regular members," Buell explained. "We miss the others who are now at different branches, but it has been helpful, having small branches. People from out of town always tell me that they feel a beautiful spirit and love at our church," Buell said.
When the Woods initially arrived in Long Beach, they requested information from the Chamber of Commerce to enable them to become active in the community. They became involved by helping in the soup kitchen and have found the experience very rewarding. Happy to be
a part of the community, the missionaries committed to working in Long Beach for eighteen months were also anxious to become involved in the religious community as well. Bruce Nyman, former City Manager led the Woods to the Interfaith Council, which they joined finding it to be a unique and worthwhile experience.
"The Interfaith Council has been wonderful to us," Sister Wood said. "It's been interesting to hear and see the similarities between all of us. The unity has been wonderful."
Within the next few weeks, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will move to a new home. The new location, 1005 Beech Street at the corner of Maryland Avenue, will be more accessible for members and increase visibility for the Long Beach community. There is some concern over the parking problem on the West End, but Buell feels that the new location will nonetheless be an asset.
"If that's where the Lord wants us, that's where we will be," he said. An open house will be held soon after the church is established, and President Buell hopes that people will attend to see what the Christian church is all about.
In the upcoming months of their mission, Elder and Sister Wood will continue to enjoy their walks on the boardwalk that they say have been spiritual moments for them, and try to share their faith with Long Beach residents.
"We hope to leave behind a stronger branch of the church in Long Beach, stronger members, and have enough exposure for people to know who we are, and be accepted as Christians," Sister Wood said.
