The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) has a large presence in the South Valley. With multiple wards (congregations) in South San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and Hollister, the LDS Church plays an important part in the local communities. Recently, the Gilroy location of the Gavilan Spanish branch was announced, giving more opportunities for Spanish-speakers to take part in LDS worship and other activities.
Individuals and families who feel more comfortable with Spanish services are invited to attend weekly Sacrament Services on Sunday at 11 a.m. at 7999 Miller Ave. in Gilroy. These will be followed by Sunday school classes divided into age-appropriate groups, followed by Priesthood/Relief Society and youth meetings.
LDS Spanish language services have been held in the South Valley for more than a decade, and church leaders believe the large Hispanic population in Gilroy and Morgan Hill could benefit from this new outreach based in Gilroy. As many as 70 visitors and members are expected initially, a number that is sure to grow as word spreads.
The branch president, a role similar to that of a “pastor” in other faith traditions, is Arturo DeSalmones. A native of Mexico, DeSalmones served as a missionary in northern Mexico in 1984 before coming to the United States. DeSalmones, who resides in San Jose, has held several important church positions locally while being employed as a quality manager at a semiconductor company. (Traditionally, all LDS spiritual leaders support themselves through secular employment.)
The LDS Church is the nation’s largest sponsor of Boy Scout troops with more than 400,000 boys enrolled. In keeping with tradition, the Gilroy troop invites all Hispanic youth who would like to participate in the program to come and check it out. To ease this transition, DeSalmones will act as liaison between the Hispanic community and the scout troop, assisted by two Spanish-speaking missionaries: Elder Olsen and elder Harouny. Both missionaries are Eagle Scouts, and are looking forward to helping more local teen boys enjoy the advantages of living Christian principles while achieving the goals of scouting, which include:
• Learning leadership skills
• Attending summer camps
• Gaining survival skills
• Earning merit badges, including in exciting new areas like social media.
“Everyone is welcome to participate,” Olsen said. “Our goal is to follow the Christian faith in loving and serving God, family and community.”
Currently there are 10 LDS missionaries in the South Valley area. The stereotype is of them traveling in pairs by bicycle, knocking on doors to spread the word about their faith. But they do much more than that.
Recently, there has been an emphasis on “interfaith service,” expanding outreach and service to the community. As part of this effort, the elders (men) and sisters (women) have spent time volunteering at St. Joseph’s Family Center, Gilroy’s noted relief agency sponsored by a number of local churches, as well as Rebekah Children’s Services and the Gilroy Compassion Center. The missionaries’ efforts include clerical work, registering families to receive aid, distributing food to the needy and pitching in wherever they are needed.
Chuck Flagg is a retired teacher with a passion for religion. Reach him at [email protected].
