Just 90 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Richmond is located in the very center of the state, 50 miles from the historic Virginia triangle: Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown.
Richmond is rich in history. From a small beginning in 1733, the village grew and matured along with the nation. It was here, during the second Continental Congress in 1775, that Patrick Henry uttered his famous statement: "Give me liberty or give me death." Virginia's 200-plus-year-old state capitol is the meeting place of the oldest continuous legislative body in the western world. And the governor's mansion is the oldest executive mansion in the United States.
Just as Richmond is historically symbolic of the beginning of the nation, the city, with a current population of 600,000, also symbolizes the beginnings of the Church in this area. According to a history of the Church in Virginia published by the Richmond Virginia Stake - Mormonism: The First Hundred Years - the state's first branch, ward and stake were organized in Richmond.
It was sometime between 1830 and 1840 that Jedediah M. and Joshua Grant, the first missionaries to enter the state, started preaching the gospel. Other missionaries followed, including George Albert Smith (future president of the Church) and Willard W. Richards.
Virginia's first converts were baptized in the James River and by 1840, the Richmond Branch was organized with 80 members. In 1842, there were three branches and 115 members.
However, by 1870, members had migrated to the West and although missionary work continued, there was heavy persecution. On several occasions, the elders fled for their lives.
It was 1917 before Church members met again as a group, but the Church began to grow, slowly at first and then more swiftly. In 1946, the first ward was organized in Richmond with 200 members. Eleven years later, membership in the state had increased to 2,070 and the Virginia Stake was organized. Membership more than doubled during the next six years and, in 1963, Virginia's second stake was organized. Today, the Old Dominion state boasts 30,000 members and 15 stakes.
An example of how members in those stakes are involved in more than just Church activity is found in the Richmond Virginia Stake. Led by stake president Larry E. Tolpi, members have become involved in much community service.
In 1985, Pres. Tolpi became a board member for the National Conference of Christians and Jews (NCCJ). That same year, stake Relief Society leaders became involved with the Interfaith Council of Greater Richmond. Both organizations aim to foster understanding and brotherhood among religions and races and to promote cooperative community service.
Working with the NCCJ, the Church has been a significant factor in several major annual community outreach programs. The Youth Awards Program, which was held in the Richmond Virginia Stake center, honors one high school student from each of the 40 area high schools.
Eighty other high school students participated in a two-day educational conference focusing on the Constitution, which was partially organized by Church members. And other stake members assisted with the planning of the "Families for Every Stage of Life" program in November.
Through the Interfaith Council, the stake has also become heavily involved in helping the city's homeless. On Saturdays, the stake's cannery is used by homeless to can and bottle donated food for the homeless center. Each unit in the stake regularly provides meals for the homeless.
In addition, members have worked with the council to provide bi-weekly study groups at the women's prison. Since October 1987, 11 women have been studying the Book of Mormon through this program.
Members have used the stake's growth as an impetus for sharing the gospel. Public communications officers have invited community leaders and guests to a breakfast, followed by the groundbreaking or dedication of each new building. In the past five years, three buildings have been completed, as well as groundbreaking for a new stake center.
After each community program or building breakfast, a letter of thanks and a copy of the Book of Mormon are sent to each participant.
In addition to an improved public image, the concern for community has resulted in increased activity within the stake. The stake's family history center, which has grown to 120 million names, was mostly patronized by nonmembers.
However, increasing numbers of members are now using the resources. Temple recommend holders and number of endowments are steadily increasing, as well as the number of full-time and stake missionaries.
Richmond is truly no longer a tiny village. Instead, it is a bustling, active city, with Church members playing a part in that bustle of activity.
