Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., a Normal Authority Seventy who serves as Church Historian and Recorder, talks with the daughters of Helga Meyer, a Latter-day Saint girl featured within the third quantity of “Saints.” A launch occasion was held on the Church Historical past Museum in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Pictured are Nia Maksymiw, Heidy Sofa and Chris Farnsworth. Helga Meyer died a number of years in the past in Utah on the age of 98. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“Saints, Vol. 3” options the story of Helga Meyer, pictured right here together with her youngsters. Helga Meyer household
Left, the duvet of Helga Meyer’s memoir, “Underneath a Leafless Tree: The Story of Helga Meyer, a Mormon Woman from East Prussia.” Proper, Helga Meyer in her later years. Helga Meyer household
Helga Meyer is featured in “Saints, Vol. 3.” Helga Meyer household
“Saints, Vol. 3” options the story of Helga Meyer, who traveled to West Berlin to listen to the Tabernacle Choir sing in 1955. Helga Meyer household
Grace Vlam, left, is the 91-year-old daughter of Pieter Vlam, who's featured in “Saints, Vol. 3.” Grace attended the launch occasion for “Saints Vol. 3” on the Church Historical past Museum on April 21, 2022. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., Church Historian and Recorder, speaks at a launch occasion for the third quantity of “Saints” on the Church Historical past Museum in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, April 21, 2022. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Lisa Olsen Tait, basic editor and historian, speaks at a launch occasion for the third quantity of “Saints” on the Church Historical past Museum in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, on April 21, 2022. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
After we first meet Helga Meiszus Meyer, she is a 9-year-old lady attending the Tilsit Latter-day Saint department in East Germany in 1929.
Because the pages flip, she has a task in a Major play, participates within the Younger Ladies program and experiences bullying and ostracism for her religion.
Her younger husband dies in battle and shut members of the family are killed by an Allied bomb throughout World Conflict II.
Regardless of destruction and fixed starvation, the younger widow reveals braveness by ministering to others and helps to maintain a small department of the church going throughout tumultuous instances.
“Saints, Vol. 3” options the story of Helga Meyer, pictured right here together with her youngsters.
Helga Meyer household
Finally Meyer remarries, has 4 youngsters and escapes East Germany earlier than development of the Berlin Wall. She immigrates to Utah and learns English.
Meyer is likely one of the most compelling feminine characters featured in “Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ within the Latter Days, Quantity 3: Boldly, Nobly and Impartial, 1893-1955,” launched April 21.
“I simply know she was a really courageous girl,” mentioned Heidy Sofa, Meyer’s daughter. “I noticed it earlier than, however now it appears much more so. She’s essential to different folks, not simply us.”
Meyer’s three daughters and different members of the family attended a launch occasion with quantity editors and Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., a Normal Authority Seventy who serves as Church Historian and Recorder, the place they celebrated the discharge of the third quantity within the collection on April 21.
Discovering Helga Meyer’s distinctive story
One of many widespread questions “Saints” quantity editors are requested is how they determine which tales to incorporate within the collection?
As a character-driven, narrative historical past, it means telling the story by way of the views of the individuals who lived it, mentioned Lisa Olsen Tait, a historian and “Saints” basic editor.
“We search for individuals who can anchor the narrative by way of tales from their lives,” Tait mentioned. “In some circumstances, it's comparatively clear that we have to embody sure folks — leaders of the church, for instance, or members who have been key gamers in essential occasions. Different instances we're searching for much less seen characters whose tales is probably not well-known however who can present us essential occasions and adjustments from much less distinguished views.”
As quantity editors looked for a feminine character who may inform the experiences of church members in Germany throughout this time interval, “Saints” Managing Historian Jed Woodworth discovered Meyer’s memoir, “Underneath a Leafless Tree: The Story of Helga Meyer, a Mormon Woman from East Prussia,” within the BYU library.
Left, the duvet of Helga Meyer’s memoir, “Underneath a Leafless Tree: The Story of Helga Meyer, a Mormon Woman from East Prussia.” Proper, Helga Meyer in her later years.
Helga Meyer household
Woodworth reached out to Lark Evans Galli, a co-author who inspired Meyer to jot down her story and helped her report, transcribe, edit and publish her memoir. He assumed Meyer was deceased, however realized from Galli that the 96-year-old Meyer was nonetheless alive.
For the following two years they labored collectively to totally report Meyer’s story earlier than her demise at age 98 in 2018.
‘I’m honored to be her daughter’
Meyer’s daughters — Sofa, Nia Maksymiw and Chris Farnsworth — are grateful to see their mom’s reminiscence preserved and shared in “Saints.”
“I’ve at all times been happy with her and grateful for her, however much more so now,” Maksymiw mentioned.
“I’m honored to be her daughter,” Farnsworth mentioned.
“I believe it’s fairly unimaginable,” mentioned Jessica Sofa, a granddaughter. “She was an unimaginable girl and it’s good to know that different persons are going to know her story.”
It took Galli 9 years to persuade Meyer to jot down her story as a result of Meyer didn’t think about her story beneficial. Galli didn’t surrender.
“‘Helga, hundreds of individuals will know your story.’ I mentioned that again and again and over,” mentioned Galli, who was “elated” to see Meyer’s story in “Saints, Vol. 3.” “I didn’t understand how however I knew it was a really participating story, a narrative of misplaced group. It didn’t simply characterize Helga, but additionally her family and pals who died within the conflict. A lot of them didn’t have descendants. So I felt prefer it was a brilliant essential story. She was my visiting instructor. I simply knew I had her.”
Helga Meyer is featured in “Saints, Vol. 3.”
Helga Meyer household
‘These have been her folks’
What makes Meyer’s story so compelling?
On private stage, readers can see her develop up and get to know her over time. Her story additionally demonstrates the sensation of being a part of a group of Latter-day Saints, Tait mentioned.
“After we comply with her by way of the conflict and the horrible losses and traumas she experiences, we're deeply invested in her story,” Tait mentioned. “However on one other stage, Helga’s story is highly effective as a result of it's consultant of so many others who went by way of comparable ordeals.”
Tait’s favourite second with Meyer in “Saints” comes within the final chapter when she travels to West Berlin to see the Tabernacle Choir carry out in 1955. For a lot of like Meyer, listening to the Tabernacle Choir sing was the expertise of a lifetime. She attended two live shows.
“Saints, Vol. 3” options the story of Helga Meyer, who traveled to West Berlin to listen to the Tabernacle Choir sing in 1955.
Helga Meyer household
“Helga didn't perceive the English phrases of the hymns, however because the singers’ voices stuffed the house with joyous sound, her coronary heart soared,” the narrative reads in “Saints.” “The Spirit of the Lord enveloped her, and she or he and people round her couldn't cease the tears from flowing. It felt like heaven on earth.”
As Meyer listened and rejoiced, she mirrored: “These have been her folks ... come from far-off.”
“Helga’s story, above all, reveals the ability of being a part of the group of the Saints,” Tait mentioned.
Pieter Vlam’s act of Christian charity
Pieter Vlam is one other Latter-day Saint who featured within the third quantity of “Saints.”
Vlam lived within the Netherlands and was a former Dutch navy officer. After the Nazis took over the Netherlands, he was requested to journey to a close-by metropolis and register with the federal government. He mentioned farewell to his household, anticipating to return the following day, however was arrested and brought to Germany as a prisoner of conflict. He was held in numerous prisoner camps the place he suffered harsh and tough circumstances. Vlam finally did return however not till close to the top of the conflict in Europe when he was capable of escape.
Financial circumstances have been harsh following the conflict, particularly in Germany. It was tough for the Dutch Saints to need to share their meals with the German Saints as a result of that they had been enemies.
Regardless of what he had suffered by the hands of the Germans, Vlam urged the Dutch Saints to forgive and assist the Germans. He was instrumental in convincing church leaders within the Netherlands to ship their potato harvest to Germany after World Conflict II. The Dutch Saints despatched 10 vans with greater than 70 tons of potatoes to the German Saints.
When President David O. McKay realized of this act of charity he known as it one of many best acts of true Christian conduct ever dropped at his consideration, Elder Curtis mentioned.
Vlam’s 91-year-old daughter, Grace Vlam, attended the launch occasion. It was particular for her to see her father’s life experiences represented within the new quantity.
“It’s an exquisite event,” she mentioned.
Grace Vlam, left, is the 91-year-old daughter of Pieter Vlam, who's featured in “Saints, Vol. 3.” Grace attended the launch occasion for “Saints Vol. 3” on the Church Historical past Museum on April 21, 2022.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Viewers attain of ‘Saints’ collection
The third quantity’s launch comes after outstanding success with the primary two volumes, “actually past what we would have anticipated,” Elder Curtis advised an viewers at an occasion celebrating the quantity’s launch.
The church’s historian and recorder described the attain of the primary two volumes like this:
- Greater than 1 million copies offered.
- Greater than 1.25 million digital readers.
- Greater than 500,000 audio e book listeners.
“Over 1 million copies have been offered, which is all of the extra outstanding as a result of you will get it without cost,” Elder Curtis mentioned with a smile. “The church gives it without cost in some ways.”
Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr., Church Historian and Recorder, speaks at a launch occasion for the third quantity of “Saints” on the Church Historical past Museum in Salt Lake Metropolis on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
‘My religion has been strengthened’
Many of the tales featured within the e book happen outdoors the USA. Here's a snapshot of what readers will discover in “Saints, Vol. 3”:
- Covers church historical past from 1893 to 1955, beneath the management of six church presidents.
- World Conflict I.
- The Nice Melancholy.
- World Conflict II and rebuilding after the conflict
- The worldwide progress of the church and the constructing of temples outdoors the USA and North America.
- 5 temples have been constructed throughout this era, together with Laie, Hawaii; Cardston, Alberta; Mesa, Arizona (first temple to supply temple ceremonies in Spanish); Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Bern, Switzerland (first temple to make use of movie and supply temple ceremonies in a number of languages).
“‘Saints Vol. 3’ is a outstanding e book that does a masterful job of telling essential tales a few very fascinating transitional time for the church,” Elder Curtis mentioned. “I believe you'll will discover from the whisperings of heaven that it's pleasing to God that we're retelling these tales of valued and memorable Saints. ... My religion has been strengthened as I've realized in regards to the outstanding Saints whose tales are featured on this e book.”
The digital model of quantity 3 is accessible without cost on the church web site and within the Church Historical past part of the Gospel Library app. Printed copies shall be obtainable in English within the coming weeks within the church’s on-line retailer and at shops. The third quantity is accessible in 14 languages and different languages will comply with in coming months.
Lisa Olsen Tait, basic editor and historian, speaks at a launch occasion for the third quantity of “Saints” on the Church Historical past Museum in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, on April 21, 2022.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints