Bibiani

Pronounced "Be/be/knee" with the second syllable accented, this pretty mining town six hours in the interior is home to a unique group of Latter Day Saints. Because they are located a considerable distance from what the Area Presidency refers to as a "center of strength" in the Church, the people are organized as a group rather than as a branch, and there is no proselyting done anywhere near to them. They receive no financial assistance from the Church, no budget, nothing other than what we and the senior missionary couple closest to them manage to provide "under the table" from time to time.

The leadership constantly asks us for things... hymnbooks, primary materials, a CD player, etc. That which they are unable to secure from us they find a way to obtain on their own. A recent example is the installation of electricity, lights and ceiling fans which they did themselves in their meeting place (an unused school room).

Whenever the mission holds a training session of any kind for our branches, Bibiani shows up early and with more people than any of our branches. They are always the most attentive and actively involved of any of the participants and ever on the alert for the distribution of materials and supplies.

The people number twenty who have been baptized, seventy who have not. Most of the latter wish to be baptized but are unable to do so unless their spouse is already baptized. Children may be baptized only if their parents are members. Notwithstanding the freeze on baptisms and the lack of financial support for their group, the people of Bibiani contribute more tithing and other contributions than any three of our branches combined. Most of them contribute in every category on the receipt slip, including "other" (which they fail to understand is a place for keeping record of funds identified for future needs and activities of the group).

When visiting Bibiani for Sacrament Meeting yesterday, you would have thought that Sister Turner and I were visiting royalty. The people smiled from ear to ear all all wanted to greet us individually. As coordinator of the mission branches, the people gave me more deference than deserved, but it felt good. I think they saw our attendance in their midst as validation of their existence as a group in the Church.

They are so far removed from any other groups, branches, wards or stake organization and not allowed the association with proselyting elders and sisters, yet their testimonies are strong and their commitment to the Gospel truly humbling. We are indeed blessed to count them as our friends and as our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Fine.

Elder Turner