Update from Pte. Davies
July 22, 2005

This is the time of year that mission presidents love and hate. The summer influx of incoming and outgoing missionaries is upon us. In four transfers (remember we only talk transfer time here), from May to September, we will have sent half of our missionaries home, that's the bad news. We watched with anticipation, happiness and gratitude as our very first group of missionaries in July of 2003 boarded the plane at the end of May and returned home. It was a milestone for us. But within a few hours, back at the mission home, a husky bunch of new Elders and good looking sisters, all with fire in their eyes, were sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to find out who their new companions were. Like so many before them, they are in for the adventure of a life time.

And so it goes, we continue to build on that which has been built. Onward, ever onward, it's about the only way I can describe it. We just keep coming.

This year marked the 2nd annual "Summer Slam Basketball Camp". Last year, we had several young men come to this camp who were later baptized. One of those young men is currently serving as a mini-missionary and is waiting to receive his full time mission call. This year, we have already seen one strong baptism come from the "Summer Slam Camp" and are expecting more. This year the turn out was double from last year. Hopefully, it can become a tradition and continue to grow each year.

I keep telling our missionaries to "think big" , to "go big or go home" and that "anybody can be average, why do you think they call it average?" and of course "average is our enemy". Many of our missionaries are taking it to heart. In a way not known to any of us, through the results of our missionaries, Television Espanola recorded a mixed missionary/member choir from the Teatro Monumental. It was carefully planned and carried out in detail by our mission. Several soloist also performed. I am told that this theatre is the 2nd most prestigious concert hall in Madrid. It was Friday night and the house was at near capacity. 1400 people had come to hear these incredible musical talents. When it was all over, there was a 4 or 5 minute standing ovation. The 90 minute concert will be edited to 60 minutes and broadcast by TVE, to all of the Iberian peninsula and parts of South America and Europe. Many "professional" musicians inside and outside the church are scratching their heads wondering how we pulled this one off.

Our mission seems to be quite focused and we are seeing many results as we try to serve our Savior with all our best. Most missionaries are determined to memorize 102 scriptures in Spanish. Why 102? When I was talking to the other mission presidents in the Europe West Area I realized that many had scripture memorization as part of their missions. Their missionaries were memorizing anywhere from 50 to 75 scriptures. One mission president was happy that his missionaries were memorizing 100, so I quietly came home and talked to our missionaries, we decided to go 102. One missionary has memorized 700, another 800, another 200, most are closing in on 100 and not wanting to stop.

I could go on, but will not. We are happy, healthy and thrilled to be in the Lord's service at this time of our lives. Thanks to each of you for the many hours you spent in building our Heavenly Father's kingdom in Spain. May you continue to receive God's choicest blessing.

Ronald G. Davies
Spain Madrid Mission
Avenida Montecillo 42
28708 Fuente Del Fresno (Madrid)
Spain

Below are some pictures courtesy of Pte. Davies:

Thane Walker Thomas Passes Away
October 7, 2002

Thane Walker Thomas, age 34, passed away Sunday morning Sept. 29, 2002 in the LDS Hospital of a cerebral hemorrhage. He was born Sept. 9, 1968 in Austin, Texas to Sterling Walker and Carol Montague Thomas. The family moved to Dayton and Columbus, Ohio; prior to moving to Salt Lake City in 1972, where Thane grew up, attending local schools, graduating from Skyline High School. He attended Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Communication and Public Relations, from the University of Utah.

He married his high school sweetheart, Allyson Marie Peterson, in the Salt Lake Temple on March 22, 1990. To this Eternal Union were born two children: a daughter Aryssa Marie Thomas (3) and a son, Skylon Lemonte Thomas (2 months). He was a devoted teacher of youth, both by precept and example. He would spend hours counseling those who needed his help. Thane loved singing, especially the songs of the gospel, and was a member of a barbershop quartet. He was involved in the Salt Lake County Metropolitan Jail Correctional Programs and presently served as Young Men's President in his ward. Thane above all loved his family and would do anything to help them with their problems. He always remained a "True Blue Cougar" in spite of his Alma Mater at U of U. Thane became an Eagle Scout and also served a mission for the LDS Church to the Spain Madrid Mission. At the time of his death he was employed by Hoj Engineering, whom he considered among his closest friends. An education fund for the children has been established as the Allyson M. Thomas Donation Education Account at any Zion's First National Bank.

Steve Barlow Killed in Snowmobile Accident
March 10, 2001 - by Patrick Oborn

Steven Reed Barlow, 29, passed away in a snowmobile accident Saturday, March 10, 2001 along with one of his best friends, Jason Wade.

He was born October 28, 1971 in Odgen, Utah to Reed Harris and Diane Patlerborg Barlow. He was raised in Fruit Heights and graduated from Davis High School in 1989. He served in the Madrid Mission from 1991 to 1993, and graduated from Weber State University in 1998. He married Jenny Miller in the Salt Lake Temple on Dec. 27, 1994

He is survived by his wife, Jenny, one daughter, Aly, and a future daughter due to be born in August.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Jenny and the entire Barlow family in this time of great loss. Know that the Madrid Mission was greatly blessed by the efforts of Steven, who served many months in the mission office and also served as a zone leader in La Mancha. His integrity, work ethic, and sense of humor have touched the lives of thousands of people. He will be sorely missed by all of us who knew him.

New Mission President Called 
July 31, 2000 - by Patrick Oborn

President and Sister David C. Clark, of Fremont, California. have accepted the call to serve as the eleventh president of the Spain Madrid Mission. President and Sister Clark will be replacing President and Sister Shallenberger, who ushered in the post-Temple era of the Church in Spain. Congratulations on a job well done! from all the Madrid missionaries, past and present.

Diary of President Shallenberger  
March 21 1999 - by President Steven Shallenberger

Today we had the cornerstone ceremony and dedication of the Spain Madrid Temple. Presiding was President Gordon B. Hinckley. Dedication visitors are President Thomas S. Monson, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Twelve Apostles, Elder David Sorensen of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder F. Burton Howard of the Seventy and our Area Presidency. 

We arrived at the Temple at 6:45 a.m. Volunteers arrived at 5:30 a.m. Around 900 individuals were seated in the Temple at 7:45 a.m. ready for the 8:00 a.m. session to begin. Members were seated in chairs in the entry way, the kitchen, the dressing rooms, the chapels, the baptistry, in the sealing rooms, in the Celestial room and throughout the entire Temple. We were blessed to be in the Celestial Room. 

President Hinckley explained the symbolism of the cornerstone and although we don't really use cornerstones in our construction today, we symbolically have a cornerstone on the Southeast corner of each temple which represents that the Temple and the Church is build upon the cornerstone of Jesus Christ as indicated in Ephesians 2:19-21. President Monson indicated that the last time he was in Spain he had dinner in the house of President Olivera, the first Stake President in Madrid. He reflected on how much has happened in that time. 

President Hinckley and his party then exited from the Celestial Room for the outside southeast corner where they applied mortar to the cornerstone. This ceremony was telecast back to the Celestial room. There was a lovely choir outside comprised of members and missionaries. President Hinckley asked them to sing the first song over again, because it was so uplifting. So...not understanding his request they quick sang the next song that was already planned. He liked it as well. 

Upon their return to the Celestial room, President Hinckley formally began the dedicatory session. Elder Sorensen gave a stirring talk on temples and the missionary work of the Latter-Days. Elder Holland then spoke and indicated that with the Temple things will never be the same in Europe. He reflected what a brief time it had been since Clark Hinckley (President Hinckley's son who was in attendance and was one of the first four missionaries in Spain) and the time when Clark Hinckley's daughter helped President Hinckley put mortar on the cornerstone. He said that rarely in church history have we quite seen anything like this. A father opening the area and just 30 years later, one of his daughters is putting mortar on the cornerstone. He said that this land will be blessed as a result of the Temple. 

President Monson then spoke. He was as inspiring as ever. He acknowledged those that had played such an important part in the church history here in Spain. He called the people of Spain good looking, sharp, and full of grand spirits. 

President Hinckley then invited Clark Hinckley and President Barnes up to bear their testimonies. Both Clark and Presidente Barnes talked about the early days and what a blessing it is to see the Temple here. They were inspirational talks and testimonies. 

President Hinckley then proceeded to give the dedicatory prayer. After which he said, the temple is now dedicated to the Lord and we must be reverent in the Temple. President Hinckley then invited Elder Holland to talk about and lead us in the Hosanna Shout!! By the end of the glorious Hosanna Shout we then sang "The Spirit of God like a Fire is Burning." It brought almost all of us to tears. It was a very emotional time. Antonio Rivas of the District of La Mancha gave the closing prayer. What a powerful experience. This was one of the most emotional experiences of my life. 

As we exited the Temple, eyes were red and spirits softened. It was indeed a spiritual feast. This was later repeated as we returned for other sessions of the dedication. We were able to attend three out of the ten sessions. 

A surprise for the last session of the dedicatory services 

In the last session, we (the family) went about 1 hour early. Roxanne and I went to where the General Authorities were staying to give a gift to Elder David Sorensen and his wife and a number of people said, "Ah, there you are, we have been looking for you." President Monson asked me to be prepared to make a few comments during the closing session of the dedication. 

We then found Elder and Sister Sorensen's rest office and gave him the gift. Marie Osmond and her husband, Brian Blossell, were in Elder Sorensen's office. We were invited in. Then President Monson came in. He talked about what a blessing she and her family have been to the whole church for generations. President Monson commented on Marie Osmond's interview with Barbara Walters and how good she was. I am impressed with President Monson's capacity to build and lift. 

We then went up to the Celestial room to begin the last dedicatory session. I was invited to be the third speaker, right before Elder F. Burton Howard, Elder Sorensen, and President Monson. I spoke about the symbolic purpose of the temple around eternity and family. I mentioned that our own family was in the temple for the dedication and some members were away, but we still felt united through the temple. I also mentioned how we are all family members. Then I related the story about the finale of the open house and how meaningful that was. 

Perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of the last dedicatory service was not the talks, but what happened one floor down where our children were sitting. On the way up from the administrative offices to the Celestial room, President Monson noticed a handicap young man sitting near our children in one of the areas where chairs had been set up to watch the session. President Monson greeted the young man and shook his hand. During my talk, I noticed President Monson get up and briefly leave the room. He gave some instructions to Paul Koelliker. We didn't know what they were. It just so happened that our children saw Paul go down and carry President Monson's invitation to have the young man join us in the Celestial Room. He and his mother graciously declined. At the conclusion of the dedicatory service, without anyone knowing, President Monson took one of the yellow roses from the Celestial Room and when he got off the elevator where the young man was, he walked directly to him and said, "Here is a yellow rose from the Celestial Room". The young handicapped boy was obviously pleased and I am sure will never forget the kind act of an Apostle of the Lord. - end

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