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By Gerry Spencer
Dedication Of South America For Gospel Commemorated
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA -- The dedication of South America for the
preaching of the gospel by Elder Melvin J. Ballard took place at 7
a.m. Friday December 25, 1925 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in Parque
Tres de Febrero, in a small grove of weeping willows near the banks
of the Rio de la Plata. The 75th anniversary open-air commemoration
was held on the Buenos Aires temple grounds with ten stakes attending
Saturday evening December 2nd and thirteen stakes on Sunday evening.
Crowds of thousands, members and non-members, excitedly arrived in
colorful old school buses, trucks, cars, or by walking, looking like
a modern-day Children of Israel leaving Egypt scene.
Clark Ballard, great-grandson of Elder Melvin J. Ballard addressed
the gatherings both nights. During his visit, a commemorative
granite stone was placed in the midst of three young oak trees
planted on the temple grounds. Program speakers included Elders Jay
Jensen, Keith Crockett and Claudio Zivic of the South America South
Area Presidency. Sisters Ballard, Jensen, Crockett and Zivic, Elders
Lopez, Aguero and Del Castillo, area authority seventies and their
wives, were also in attendance.
An enthusiastic choir of 250 voices accompanied by piano and
organ, magnificently performed eleven songs at the events. During
their musical numbers, images of Elder Ballard at the original
dedication, early church pioneers and first Argentine
baptisms, Joseph Smith, The Nativity, Crucifixion and Second
Coming and other images were projected onto a huge screen set above
the choir.
On Saturday night the benediction was offered by Sister Maria Meta
Biebersdorf de Parraga, who was just 5 years-old when her family
became the first converts in South America. On Sunday night, Brother
Antonino Gianfelice, 7 years-old when South America was dedicated,
was a guest of honor.
Saturday dawned cloudy, heavy with humidity and with forecasts of
rain, usual for the springtime here. Unfortunately, the rain hit
hard and many were without umbrellas, including most of the choir.
However, that didn't dampen anyone's spirits or voices as the choir
and congregation joined in singing with great gusto "Praise to the
Man".
The rain continued pouring down hard, causing microphones and some
lights to go out and the meeting was about to be terminated early
when the clouds parted, clearing a circle directly over the choir and
congregation. The moon and a star could be seen. Outside the
circle, the rain continued pouring down but inside the circle, the
program continued beautifully as planned, with sound and light
partially restored.
While no rain threatened the event on Sunday evening, we did endure a
strong cold wind. While that may have froze our faces, our
hearts remained warm and full. It was just so wonderful to see and
hear the touching messages and uplifting music and to be one with the
thousands of saints gathered together for this special Christmas
event.
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