Come, Come, Ye Saints

A wallhanging quilt I made for the
sesquicentennial (150 years) celebration
of the Mormon pioneers first arriving in the
Salt Lake valley in 1847 (the top corner
squares). Also a tribute to Ella's family who
emigrated from Scotland to America in 1949
(the bottom corner squares). 
(Click to enlarge.)

When we talk about pioneers, we typically think of covered wagons and handcarts and trekking west across the American frontier. But I think of Ella and her parents, pioneers who left their homeland and family to settle in an unknown-to-them territory. 

Ella LOVED Pioneer Day, July 24, which commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Her love for pioneers started in her youth, as her family would gather together around their piano and sing Come, Come, Ye Saints, and they would hope, and dream, and plan for the day when they would join with other members of their faith in America. 

Here are some thoughts that Ella shared in a talk she gave to her church congregation in Long Beach, California, in the 1960s. See the full scan of her original talk, below. 

..........

My parents joined the church before I was born and I think the missionaries must have had a tough time with them as it took them a year before they accepted the gospel and were ready for baptism.

At that time it was the hopes and goals of all [Latter-day] Saints to emigrate to Zion and so my parents started saving and in 1939 the ball got rolling for us to come to this country. But as you know the world was very unsettled at that time and Britain declared war in September of 1939, and our hopes were dashed. One of the missionaries who helped convert my parents was to be our sponsor and he offered to take care of my sister and I until our parents could join us after the war -- as they had Red Cross ships sailing to America with children, but my parents declined the offer and I am so happy about that as I was only 5 years old at the time and I wouldn't have remembered Scotland or appreciated it as I do today. 

Once war was declared all missionaries were called home. My father was made Branch President and during all of the war we only had two active families, [but] we held Sacrament meeting every Sunday evening and my father and the other Priesthood holder would take turns conducting, blessing and passing of the Sacrament and giving talks. 

We feel that we were blessed greatly, because although bombs dropped close to us and bullets hit our house no harm came to us or the other members of the branch. My father worked in the shipyards and had many close call[s] both from bombs and having to come off the ships and ride his bicycle home often late at night in complete darkness as we had total blackouts, and in Scotland the nights in the wintertime are very, very dark. But as a child I can truthfully say that I felt my parents trust in the Lord and never felt fear and knew that we were in His keeping. 

During the latter part of the war my mother started working diligently on her genealogy and was able to collect a great deal of names and was able to even get into [m]onasteries where a great deal of records are kept and [up to] that time had been inaccessible. So having to stay behind in 1939 had indeed been in blessing in disguise. 

...

The years went by and our thought once again turned to Zion. My mother played the piano and her favorite [song] was Come, Come, Ye Saints --- and she would gather us around the piano and say, "[Come on learn this son[g] as we can't go to America if we aren't able to sing this.["] I guess she thought it was a [p]assword to get in, but sincerely it is a very special song for me, although my parents were not early pioneers, they did have to give up everything they had to come to this country and start [over] which isn't exactly the easiest task when you're in your forties. 

So in 1949 our plans gelled once again, many letters were sent back and forth. Our visas and passports were procured after having medicals and interviews with the American Consul. 

On Friday, May 13, 1949, we sailed from our homeland and loved ones to a new Frontier. [A] land full of dreams and expectations, and we were not disappointed as life had been good to us and my parents have been repaid many times over for their faith in the Lord. 

I want to say how thankful I am for the missionaries who brought the Gospel to my parents and how doubly thankful I am that I can claim a double heritage, Scottish by birth and American by choice. Brothers and Sisters let us be thankful for this promised land and for our precious freedom that we can worship and live as we choose. 

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Although I have grown up as and am an actively practicing Mormon, I am in awe, and humbled, by the sacrifices our ancestors made, to more fully live what they believe. 

Selling virtually all that they owned and traveling essentially with the clothes on their back, they waved goodbye to family as they boarded the train that took them to the ship harbor. Grandma was now 15 years old. The journey was so expensive and they had saved for so many years, they didn’t know if they’d ever return to their homeland. These were one-way tickets. 

America didn’t necessarily offer them greener pastures, either literally (they settled in Arizona, after all) or figuratively: It’s no small task to start a new life from scratch. And they were sometimes ridiculed for their accent, and treated as second class citizens. 

Why did they do all this? I think about this often. The conclusion that I’ve come to is that I believe they had a vision of the future, of how their sacrifices would benefit generations to come. We are now standing on their shoulders.

We have that same blood coursing through our veins. And we can tap into that same strength and determination. We too can trust in God, and that he has a plan for our lives and he will direct us as we seek to know that plan. We can have courage in the face of hardships, as we ourselves face oceans and continents that separate us from our final destinations, and as we may sometimes find ourselves as strangers in a strange land. 

We too can do great things, GREAT THINGS, that will influence, for good, generations to come. 

..........

See also these related posts:

• George and Kate Findlay Meet the Mormons 
• Across Oceans and Continents 
• On the Banks of the River Dee, Aberdeen 
• To Generations Past, Present, and Future 
• Inglish Pioneers 

Church Callings and Sage Advice

Ralph and Ella
July 2016 (the day of this interview)

A few years ago, in July 2016, I was riding in the backseat of Ella and Ralph's sedan, on our way to the Payson Scottish Festival. Among the things we talked about on the way were church callings/responsibilities they've held. This is what they shared that day.

..........

When Ralph and Ella lived in Oklahoma [years?], Ella had the calling of Stake Primary President. She would travel throughout her stake - which was 165 miles long by 130 wide, covering parts Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas. Ella recalls:

When they [the stake presidency] called me and we talked about the travel [required for the calling], I said, “I don’t mind the travel, as long as I don’t have to travel during a tornado watch!” 

Ralph remembers that many times as he was heading out to work in the morning, she was also on her way to visit a ward or branch. He remembers that at the time there were about 6 wards in the stake and 3 or 4 branches. Sometimes it was 9 or 10 o’clock at night before Ella would return home. In the winter time, Ralph would take a day off and drive Ella and her counselors to their meetings. Ella chimed in: “It’s not like here [in Utah] where you’re just around the corner.” She served in this calling for a little over 1 year. 

One of the most surprising and challenging callings Ralph had was when he was called to be bishop [KF: I think it was the Orchard 3rd Ward in North Salt Lake]. He was 43 years old. He served for 5 years and 1 month. (Not that he was counting!) After that service, he was on the High Council for their stake, then subsequently he was the High Priest Group Leader for their ward. 

A particularly memorable experience in a calling was when they were living in Oklahoma, Ralph was at the stake center for a priesthood meeting (Ralph was executive secretary at the time), when a tornado hit, about 7 pm at night. Ralph was going throughout the building, opening windows in the foyer and classrooms so that as the tornado came through and the air pressure increased, the windows wouldn’t implode. The lights were out and there was no power, and they continued to hold the meeting with flashlights. 

The stake president got up and said, “It’s been suggested that we cancel this meeting and let everyone go home. We feel impressed to continue to hold the meeting and all of our families will be fine.” So they held the meeting. They could hear the tornado roar - it sounded like a freight train!

The next day was Sunday, and Ralph was called by Oklahoma Public Service to fly a helicopter to survey the damage. He recalls:

 

I was up flying the helicopter [He gets a little choked up - “It grabs me even now when I think about it!”]. So I flew over this area, 600 homes in a tract just southwest of the stake center were all wiped out. Nobody was hurt. Nobody was killed. But their homes were damaged. I was flying over in the helicopter and I could see the path of how it hit the ground. It went back south of the stake center, then lifted up, went over the stake center, and hit a block north. 

 

There was a little 7-Eleven store - they called them Get-and-Gos there, a convenience store - it was a block south of the stake center, wiped out. The convenience store was gone. The only thing that was left was a level piece of concrete. [Ella says, “You were protected.” And Ralph chuckles, as if that was a huge understatement. Indeed they were!]

 

What was interesting is that two brothers that I know of said, “The heck with this. We’ve got to go home and take care of our family.” So one guy jumped up and got in his car and headed home. He was one of the ones that lived some distance away. It started raining then - we got torrential rains there. He drove under an underpass and his car died [in the deep] water. So he sat in his car all night under the underpass. He didn’t make it  home. 

 

The other guy got home and loaded up his family and said, “Hey, let’s get out of here. The tornado is coming.” They loaded up their car with food, water, stuff like that. About 15, 20 minutes later, his wife said, “Well, where are we going?” He said, “I don’t know. We’ve just got to get out of this.” They also, their car stalled, and they slept in the car that night. 

 

It taught a lesson to me at least, that when a leader of the stake says, “This is our inspiration, we’re going to hold the meeting. We can’t force anyone to stay.” Everyone who stayed at the meeting made it home and their family was safe. 

 

The tornado hit about 4 miles from our place in Broken Arrow.

In the summer of 2016, Ralph and Ella were in their third year of teaching a teenage Sunday school class together in their ward in Centerville [name of ward?]. They loved those youth and loved being with them each week. I got to join them that Sunday, and I was impressed at how the youth loved to be there too - I think they felt of Ralph and Ella’s care and concern. They were quick to volunteer, they paid close attention, and readily participated in the discussions.

Looking back at their varied church service, what would Ralph and Ella do differently if they knew then what they know now? “Pray more!” Ralph chuckles. That's some sage advice!

..........

Source: From a conversation with Ralph and Ella on  9 July 2016.

A Eulogy for George Findlay, by His Dear Friend John Freestone

George and Kate Findlay

Included in the Life History of George and Katherine Findlay (Ella’s parents) is this treasure: the eulogy for George, given at his funeral by the Findlay’s dear friend John Freestone, on September 23, 1970.

The Findlays first met John when he was a missionary in the British Mission, serving for a time in Aberdeen. They quickly became friends and had a weekly tradition to gather together for “interesting discussions” and singing along as George played the piano. John was about 6 years younger than them, so he was similar in age. John finished his mission in 1931 and the Findlays were baptized the following year in 1932.(1)

What especially stands out to Ella about the friendship between her parents and John is that as a man in his early 20s returning home from his mission, John could have easily lost contact with the Findlays and carried on with his life in America, but he kept in touch with them for the next 17 years (!) by airmail correspondence. It was John who was their sponsor when they emigrated to America, and he was loyal to the Findlays their entire lives (he was even the emcee at Ralph and Ella's wedding reception).

Here is the text of the eulogy John gave for George. Minor edits to paragraph spacing and punctuation have been made to improve readability.

……......
We have met this day to pay loving respect to the memory of a husband, father, grandfather, George Findlay. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on the 4th of January, 1903, and passed from his mortal existence on this earth here in Mesa on September 20, 1970.

On September 20, 1930, a young missionary from Arizona arrived in Aberdeen, just 40 years to the day prior to George's passing. I was that young missionary. A few days later I had the opportunity of meeting George and Katherine, and their young child Ina, where I was made welcome in their home.

During the next few months my companion and I made it a Saturday night habit to visit the Findlay home. We were always greeted royally with a nice dinner, after which we would gather around for interesting conversation and discussions on many topics including religion, politics, and history. Often we would gather about the piano where George would display one of his many talents, one not known to all his acquaintances, that of playing the piano while we all joined in singing hymns or Scottish ballads.

Our friendship started there and has continued ever since. After my return in Arizona in 1931, George kept in contact with me through correspondence for seventeen years. During this time he expressed his deep desire to bring his family to America for the advantages he felt would accrue from such a move.

Letters from John to George.
Source: The Life History of
George and Katherine Findlay

Then came World War II, making it temporarily impossible to fulfill his dream, but being a very determined, resolute man he persisted in obtaining that goal, and it was my privilege to sponsor him to this country. He came as a vanguard for the rest of the family, arriving here on Christmas Eve in 1948.

There were no passenger flights by jets in those days, so he came by boat, arriving in New York City on [Dec 20], 1948.(2) While going through customs an inspector asked him where he was going and what his occupation was. The inspector could hardly believe his answer. “You, a Scottish boatwright, going to Arizona?” George pointed to the blizzard in process and replied, “Do you see that weather out there? Well, I’m fed up with it and that’s why I’m going to Arizona.” This incident was typical of him.

George stayed in our home until we could locate an apartment for him in Mesa. A day or two after he was [settled], we came by to check up on him and to find out how he was getting along. He said that he had been walking around the town but that he got lost. I asked him how this could happen in a town with wide, straight streets laid out east to west and north to south. He replied that was the very reason he got lost was that all of the streets looked alike whereas back in Scotland: “Each street had a character of its ane.”

Being a fiercely independent man, George soon found employment on his own. For the rest of his working days here in Mesa, he engaged in carpentry, which was the nearest approach to what he knew best vocationally. He became a pattern maker and many of the mouldings and facings of government and private structures are the result of his skilled handicraft.

Five months following his arrival, Katherine and Ella arrived, then another five months passed before Ina arrived. The family was reunited and the dream of many years fulfilled.

George loved his native land. This love is characterized by the words of the great Scottish writer, Sir Walter Scott, “Breathes there a man with soul so dead, who never to himself has said, ‘This is my own, my native land.’”

He especially loved the sea and the ships that sailed upon it. You would only need to engage him in conversation for a few minutes to discover that he was Scottish - no so much by his brogue as by the content of his conversation. He was extremely proud of his Scottish heritage. There is an old saying that “Strong winds make strong trees.” George lived in a land of extreme weather and other hardships such as was experienced during the World War II days when the city of Aberdeen, the beautiful city of silver granite, was frequently bombed.(3)

George was a great believer in brotherhood. For this reason he espoused many causes to promote his feelings in this regard. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and became a staunch member.

In 1939, he was appointed president of the church branch in Aberdeen. He was given a blessing and a promise that if he would discharge his duties faithfully that his life would be protected and spared through the dark days which lay ahead. This he determined to do. For the next nine years every scheduled meeting was held under his direction. This record was not achieved by any other branch in Scotland. Sometimes only three or four came to the meetings because of the danger of falling bombs from air raids.(4)

Then came an incident which underscored the promise made to him. One night while at work in the shipyard, the boss of the small crew said, “Let’s call it a night and all go to the tavern.” All went except George. Being true to his trust and faithful to his beliefs, he went directly home. A little later an unscheduled single enemy plane flew over the city. There was no alarm sounded by siren. A bomb was dropped. The tavern was destroyed, taking the lives of all who were in it.

After coming to America, George continued his faithful service to his fellow man. He has served two local missions and at the time of his passing was acting in the capacity of first counselor to the High Priest Group Leader.

George leaves a rich legacy to his family and friends. Not one to be counted in dollars and cents, but one to be counted in character and culture. He was not privileged to have a son. However he was privileged to obtain two wonderful sons-in-law, Ina’s husband, Frank Slade, and Ella’s husband, Ralph Mitchell. And, in addition, he has been blessed with 10 grandchildren, five grandsons and five granddaughters. And thus he saw fulfilled in this posterity the paramount dream and goal of his life.

Also surviving, along with Katherine, are his [four] sisters, two in Scotland [Caroline and Marjorie], Ethel Grant of Mesa, and Elizabeth of Washington state, who is here today; and a brother, Jack, who resides in New Zealand.

To all of these survivors, I would like to say, Cherish the memory of this great individual. It will bring strength to you in time of trial and adversity, and comfort to you in all situations. You may be justly proud of your heritage. In the words of our Saviour, “Let not your hearts be troubled; for in my father’s house are many mansions, and I have prepared a place for you; and where my father and I am, there you shall be also.” Any sadness of farewell that we may feel this day will be more than compensated for in the future when there will be a happy reunion.


Given by John Freestone, September 23rd, 1970

……….

Notes and Sources:

1. Although Ella talks frequently of John Freestone having taught her parents when he was a missionary serving in Aberdeen, she couldn’t remember if he baptized them as well. I have a copy of Katherine’s baptism certificate so we know who baptized her, but I haven’t yet located George’s baptism certificate. But by piecing together details from the eulogy it’s now clear that they were baptized after John went home. John mentions that he returned to Arizona in 1931, and we know that Katherine was baptized on 11 June 1932 and George on 13 June 1932. For more details on George and Katherine’s conversion, see these blog posts: George and Kate Findlay Meet the Mormons (https://greatflyingscots.blogspot.com/2017/08/george-and-kate-findlay-meet-mormons.html); On the Banks of the River Dee (https://greatflyingscots.blogspot.com/2014/10/on-banks-of-river-dee-aberdeen.html)
2. The scan of the eulogy is hard to make out in parts, and it seems that the date listed as George's arrival at the New York harbor is June 5, 1948. However, according to the passenger list of the S. S. Mauretania that we have, his arrival is listed as December 20, 1948, which also then fits with the timeframe of George arriving in Mesa on Christmas Eve, 1948. Read more about the Findlays emigration story here: https://greatflyingscots.blogspot.com/2014/10/across-oceans-and-continents_27.html
3. Read more memories of WWII in these blog posts: At Home and Abroad: Family Members’ Military Service in WWII (https://greatflyingscots.blogspot.com/2014/05/at-home-and-abroad-family-members.html); The War Years: Air Raids, City and Countryside, and Strength in the Gospel (https://greatflyingscots.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-war-years-air-raids-city-and.html); Memories of Aberdeen During WWII (https://greatflyingscots.blogspot.com/2017/10/memories-of-aberdeen-during-wwii.html)
4. Read more about the Findlays and the Aberdeen Branch in the 1930s and 1940s here: https://greatflyingscots.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-findlays-and-aberdeen-branch-in.html

Aberdeen: Scot by Heritage, Strengthened by the Gospel

While recently researching family history details online, I ran across the following article about the LDS Church in Aberdeen, which was first published in the Ensign magazine (a monthly publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in March 1990. 

This article features members of the Thompson family, some of the stalwart members of the Church in Aberdeen from the mid-1920s and on, and a family that the Findlays knew well - there were only a handful of members of the Church there, after all! (For reference: George and Kate Findlay first met the missionaries in 1930 and were baptized in 1932.)

Love this line from the article: “Ours is a proud heritage and a promising future." Indeed! 

See also: 

• George and Kate Findlay Meet the Mormons
• The Findlays and the Aberdeen Branch During the 1930s and 1940s

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Aberdeen: Scot by Heritage, Strengthened by the Gospel

By Leslie Smith

Known to local residents as the “Silver City by the Sea,” Aberdeen, Scotland, sits on a 33-mile stretch of North Sea coastline. It is known for its buildings made of the local silver-gray granite. Now the oil center of Europe, Aberdeen has come a long way from the ship-building, fishing, and granite industries for which it was formerly renowned.

Scotland is famous worldwide for its kilts, bagpipes, lochs (lakes), and its traditional meat dish, haggis. At the New Year, Latter-day Saints in Aberdeen join with the rest of their Scottish countrymen in festivities that include honoring the birthday of their national poet, Robert Burns. They celebrate “Burns Night” with poetry reading, singing, and participation in traditional highland dances. The celebrations would not be complete without Scotch broth, tatties (potatoes), neeps (turnips), and the haggis itself—brought in, traditionally, to the tune of the pipes and celebrated in song and poetry.

Aberdeen itself is quaint and beautiful, with well-maintained flower beds around the city. It has won the “Britain in Bloom” competition for so many years that the city had to withdraw from the contest for three years to give another community a chance!

Latter-day Saints in Aberdeen have made their own contribution to the beauty of the city. The Aberdeen Ward meetinghouse and its grounds have won twenty-six local awards in the category of best-kept church and community building. Ward members attribute this to the hard work and dedication of Brother Thomas Thomson, who has worked as custodian since the dedication of the chapel in 1967.

“We haven’t always had a beautiful chapel in which to meet,” recalls Georgina Thomson, the oldest member of the Church in Aberdeen (and no relation to the custodian). “I remember when the elders first met my husband in the marketplace in 1922. He brought them home with him. We were baptized four years later in the River Dee. There were only four members here then,” she says.

“There was nowhere for us to meet, so we met in each other’s homes and missionaries ran the branches. We had to wait nearly forty years for a temple in London so we could be sealed,” Sister Thomson says. “My husband was the branch president in Aberdeen when President David O. McKay dedicated the London Temple and subsequently made a visit to Scotland, the place his father had lived.”

The staunch devotion of Sister Thomson and her husband has been a model for their children. Their daughter was the first member from the area to serve a mission, laboring in England. Their son Stanley has served in many leadership capacities in the Church.

The gospel first came to Scotland in December 1839. From that time through the first fifty years of this century, membership in the Aberdeen area fluctuated because of emigration to America, Australia, and South Africa, and because of the two world wars. In recent years, though, growth has been significant.

When the plans for the first Church-built chapel in Aberdeen were developed several years ago, some of the thirty-four members in the city questioned the need for such a large parking area; only one family among them owned a car. But mission president Bernard P. Brockbank (now a General Authority Emeritus) told them they would see the day when the Saints in Aberdeen wouldn’t be able to get all their cars in it. That day has arrived. The stake now has more than 1,600 members.

The Aberdeen stake spans the width of Scotland. Dedication is required of members like Roddy and Phyllis Ross of Inverness, who must travel more than one hundred miles one way for stake meetings and conferences. When they go to the temple, it is a two-hour trip to the stake center, then twelve hours more to the temple. But despite the distance, Aberdeen Saints travel often to the temple, and some spend a week or more at a time there doing work for the dead.

Well-known Scottish storyteller Stanley Robertson lives in Aberdeen. He joined the Church in 1965 and has since brought thirty members of his extended family into the Church. He is known at home and abroad for his books, ballads, and songs. But “I couldn’t have done anything without the Church,” he says. “The first time I sang was at a Relief Society party, and now I travel the world singing my songs.”

Brother Robertson’s prominence has been an asset in his current calling as stake public communications director, as he has done much to promote the image of the Church in his native land.

Public attention can be very important. Generally Latter-day Saints are not well known in Aberdeen, explains stake president James Rae Dressel. It is important that other Scots come to know them and the quality of their lives.

The gospel is crucial to the quality of Scottish Saints’ lives, says President Dressel’s wife, Patricia. “Emphasis on family unity has given us a goal to work toward as we counsel and teach the principles to our children. We know the gospel will carry them through their lives,” she says. And personally, she adds, the gospel “enables me to do things I would never have the courage to do otherwise.”

The hardy Saints of Aberdeen stand out as Scots, President Dressel says, and they are consistently gaining in spiritual strength through membership in the Church. “Ours is a proud heritage and a promising future.”

Correspondent: Leslie Smith, assistant press officer for the Church in the British Isles.

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Source: Smith, Leslie. (1990, March). Aberdeen: Scot by Heritage, Strengthened by the Gospel. Ensign. Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/ensign/1990/03/news-of-the-church/aberdeen-scot-by-heritage-strengthened-by-the-gospel?lang=eng. Accessed 16 January 2018.

The Findlays and the Aberdeen Branch in the 1930s and 1940s

Millennial Star, Sept 1947
Source

“How the Church survived in Scotland during the grim war years, is a story that doubtless could be told of many small branches and districts throughout the world; of how a small group of people, imbued with a knowledge of the truth of the divine mission of Joseph Smith, were determined, with God’s help, to keep that knowledge alive.” 

Thus was the hopeful “Report on the Scottish District” in the September 1947 issue of the Millennial Star. During World War II, from 1939-1945, the Scottish District was composed of four branches: Edinburgh (which had to discontinue regular services during the war), Glasgow, Airdrie, and Aberdeen. Ella’s father, George Findlay, was president of the Aberdeen Branch during this time (sustained in 1939), up until he and his family emigrated in 1948/49.(1)

The report continues:

“Although deprived of much of its Priesthood by the call to National Service, the Scottish District was able to carry on under the leadership of its older men and ever-faithful sisters...”

“Aberdeen was perhaps the most isolated branch in Britain. Practically cut off from the rest of the country by travel restrictions, Aberdeen Branch, with most of its auxiliaries functioning, carried on under the leadership of Branch President [George] Findlay.
...

“Despite the successes in keeping the Gospel alive in Scotland, war weariness and nerve strain were beginning to show. Then, like a cheerful bold out of the blue appeared Elders CHW and AWF. The coming of these missionaries had the effect of water in a drought. The spirits of the Saints were revived; auxiliaries re-opened with the old zest; newly demobbed service personnel resumed their Church activities; and the District began to show indications of reawakening. 

Ina Findlay on the left, her mother
Kate on the right, with friends
from the branch.
Love those tartan skirts!
Date?

“Since the return of the emissaries of the Restored Gospel to Scotland, several baptisms have been performed. The Gospel Message has spread by tract, pamphlet, open-air meetings, and other means. The four branches are again operating with all auxiliaries. The opening of new territory is contemplated. 

“It is a far cry from the day when Scotland could boast of a membership exceeding 3,000, but who knows just what the future harvests may be? True Scottish loyalty and determination still exists. Allied to the zeal and acumen of Zion’s Missionaries, these factors must bear fruit worthy in the sight of the Lord. 

“The testimony of Scotland’s Saints was never stronger, and it is with confidence that we face the future.”(2)

..........

The Findlays are mentioned in several issues of the Millennial Star, the weekly publication produced by British Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Considering how active they were in the branch, one or more members of the family were likely present at most branch functions, whether it was a conference, social, or fireside. The following are entries that mention them specifically:

From 5 March 1936: 

“Branch President Charles Smart and his counsellor, Brother George Findlay, attended graveside services” of a sister from the branch who had passed away.(3)

From 22 October 1942:

“Three candidates were baptised into the Church by District President Andrew B. McGowan of the Scottish District on Saturday, 26th September, in the River Dee. They were confirmed on Sunday morning at the first session of the Aberdeen Branch Conference as follows: CS by Elder CS; RS by Elder George Findlay; and Isabella Findlay by President McGowan. 

...

“The evening session was conducted by Branch President George Findlay. After the sustaining of the Church authorities, the theme of the Conference was introduced, 'Salvation for the Living and the Dead.' ...The occasion was a great spiritual feast for all.”(4)

The Aberdeen Branch would often meet for picnic
socials, such as this one. Ella and Ina are on
the left-front, pictured with friends and
missionaries from the branch.
Date?

From 3 July 1943:

“Thirty-six people, including several non-members, attended a social held on Saturday, June 13th, in the Aberdeen Branch. The programme ... was conducted by Brother Findlay, Branch President. It included games and community singing, followed by concert items [by] several young kiddies comprising a vocal solo and chorus, a comic sketch, and a ‘Highland Dance’ in national costume. High spot of the evening was a play entitled ‘The Lord's Prayer,’ enacted by Ina Findlay, BS, HS, Ella Findlay, and SB. During an interval, refreshments were served by Sisters E and H. All enjoyed a very fine and entertaining evening.”(5)

From March 1948:

“On Sunday evening, January 18th, a very enjoyable fire-side evening was held at the home of Aberdeen Branch President George Findlay. Elder RET was in charge of the programme, which included vocal solos by President S, accompanied by EW, and piano numbers by EW. Twenty-nine members and friends of the Aberdeen Branch were in attendance.”(6)

Ina, back-center, pictured with
friends from the branch.
Date?

“Aberdeen Branch MIA resumed activities for the current season when a social was held at 28 King Street on March 5th. Forty members and friends witnessed a talented programme contributed by the following artists: BS and Elder RI, vocal duets; HE, Scottish readings; HS, highland dancing; and Ina Findlay, piano solos. Games and refreshments followed.

…

“JS, a member of the Aberdeen Branch, died of a cerebral hemorrhage on Aug. 8. Funeral services were held on Aug. 11 and were conducted by Branch President George Findlay.

…

“Baptismal services were held on the banks of the Dee River in Aberdeen, Scotland on Sept. 27. ST was baptised by Elder RET and confirmed by President George Findlay. ST was baptised by Elder T and confirmed by Elder JEC.

…

“The Aberdeen Relief Society has been organised with BE as President, MH as First Counsellor, and EE as class instructor. BS was in charge of the Aberdeen Branch MIA Christmas social. Ina Findley [sic] was the pianist for the evening.”(7)

George Findlay, center, when serving as president
of the Aberdeen Branch in 1949. Elder Turner on the left,
Elder Call on the right (missionaries serving there
at the time?)

From January 1950:

“Emigrations: FINDLEY [sic]. — Ina Findley [sic] emigrated to Mesa, Arizona, from the Aberdeen Branch on the 5th of October [1949].(8)

..........

Notes:

1. George served as branch president starting in 1939. It looks like he served as a counselor, prior to being president (based on the article from 5 March 1936 that lists him as a counsellor at that time).
2. Source: Millennial Star, No. 9, September 1947, page 264
3. Source: Millennial Star, 5 March 1936, page 160
4. Source: Millennial Star, Vol 104, No. 43; 22 Oct 1942, page 687 
5. Source: Millennial Star, Vol. 104, No. 27; 3 July 1943, page 432 
6. Source: Millennial Star, Vol. 110, No. 3; March 1948, page 88 
7. Source: The Associate Editor of the Millennial Star around this time was William (Bob) R. Callister, who was serving as a missionary in the British Mission. In 2006, he and KF were members of the same ward in California, and they realized they had a connection: he was a missionary at the same time that Ella (KF’s grandmother) and family were members of the Aberdeen branch. Bob subsequently forwarded 2 transcribed entries of the Millennial Star that mentioned the Findlays, one of them included the entry from March 1948, but it also included the additional text here, which was either part of Bob’s original copy and never included in the Millennial Star article, or is from an edition of the Millennial Star that has not been digitized yet, or from something else? Unfortunately, Bob has since passed away, so the details remain currently unknown. 
8. Source: Millennial Star, Vol. 112 No. I; January 1950, page 29