The days of square-rigged sailing ships with passenger lists comprised of Mormon immigrants are gone, but some of the cities those immigrants helped found and build have continued not only to grow but also to prosper.
Now the second largest city on the western coast of the United States, San Francisco was just a settlement begun on the nearby island of Yerba Buena when 228 LDS colonists disembarked July 31, 1846. Their ship, the Brooklyn, had brought them on what is believed the longest voyage of an LDS immigrant company. After leaving New York harbor, the immigrants were 177 days at sea, sailing 24,000 miles around Cape Horn before reaching their destination. Bringing with them tools for building homes, church houses, a school and other public structures, the colonists helped build this city.While those early LDS voyagers are reported to have been the first Anglo-American colonists to have reached California by water, immigrants of many races and nationalities still find their way to San Francisco.
The diversity of the city's ethnic population is reflected in the LDS membership. The San Francisco California and the San Francisco California West stakes combined have nearly 8,000 members residing in 17 units. Nearly half those units are non-English-speaking wards or branches.
"San Francisco is an exciting place to live and work," said San Francisco Stake Pres. Quentin L. Cook, a native of Utah who has lived in the area since 1963. "The city has tremendous physical beauty. There are spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, and the architecture of many buildings is beautiful. There are many cultural and athletic opportunities. But one of the things people treasure most here is the enormous ethnic and cultural diversity."
In Pres. Cook's stake are four English-speaking wards - including a Young Single Adults Ward - a Spanish-speaking ward in addition to a Spanish group attached to another ward, and a Tongan ward.
"The gospel brings people together," said Pres. Cook. "Within the common bonds of the gospel, our differences are insignificant. Members realize they really are brothers and sisters, regardless of their backgrounds."
Jeremiah I. Alip, president of the San Francisco California West Stake, was born and reared in Hawaii. He has made his home in the San Francisco area the past 28 years. "Our ethnic groups," he said, "really make us quite unique. And while each group is proud of its own heritage, there is a great spirit of cooperation and harmony between the groups."
Pres. Alip said in his stake are a Filipino branch, a Chinese branch, a Samoan ward and a Tongan ward, in addition to four English-speaking wards. "They all support and help each other," he said. "For example, the bishop of the Tongan ward passed away recently. A Samoan youth chorus sang several lovely songs at the funeral. That was just one small example of the love and harmony between those two wards."
Pres. Alip views San Francisco as a "training ground" for leaders. "In the late 1950s and 1960s, many Polynesians moved into the area," he said. "We had a Polynesian ward, and were trained by the leaders in the San Francisco Stake at that time. Many of those Polynesians have returned to their native lands and have become a strong nucleus of leadership in the islands of the Pacific.
"Some of those brethren have become stake presidents, bishops, regional representatives and mission presidents," Pres. Alip continued. "The sisters have become leaders in the auxiliaries. The training received here has been unique, and I think our Anglo brothers and sisters have enjoyed the opportunity to live among our ethnic groups and strengthen us with their testimonies."
While they enjoy a great degree of success, the two stake presidents expressed some concern about what they call "the negative image" of San Francisco. "There are some negative elements in San Francisco, but there are also some very positive elements here," said Pres. Cook. "We are concerned about the distorted views that many have of the city, and of the Church's position here. Some rumors
have been circulating that the Church isn't here anymore."
Pres. Alip is a self-described "ambassador" who takes every opportunity to tell others about the positive side of life in San Francisco, particularly about the strength of the Church here.
"I attended Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico a couple of years ago and spent a lot of time talking to other priesthood leaders about the Church here," he said. "I hope they will help dispel some of the bad rumors about the Church in San Francisco. I have heard people say that the Church has `closed down' the city, that missionaries have been pulled out of the area. There are even stories that the Church has encouraged members to move from the city.
"These things are not true. We have nearly 8,000 members in two stakes, and there are some really wonderful, spiritual families and individuals who live here, striving to live gospel principles. Living here is like living anywhere: If you strive to live the gospel teachings, and if you are obedient to the commandments, and if you try to love others, then you should do OK."
Missionary work has progressed well in San Francisco, with about 40 full-time missionaries serving in the areas covered by the two stakes. San Francisco has had a history of being one of the top zones of the California San Jose Mission for baptisms.
The two stakes export a fair share of missionaries also. Nearly 50 percent of young men of missionary age from here are currently serving missions. Numerous young adult sisters are also serving.
Pres. Cook said many of the Spanish-speaking members in his stake are from Central America. "We have a lot of young people going on missions to Central America," he said. "Members from the Tongan ward have been called to serve in many countries and throughout the United States."
Pres. Alip said his stake currently has young people serving in Chile, Peru and Japan, as well as several states of the United States.
"As these young people return from their missions, they have leadership roles in priesthood and Relief Society and the youth programs," said Pres. Alip. "It is exciting to see them come back with a strong testimony of the gospel."
The stake presidents described San Francisco as a progressive city, and as a city of opportunity. Newcomers are still coming here, beginning new lives, and building testimonies as well as the city.
