Hiya from Scotland. We are meeting wonderful people, teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to some, and seeing fantastic sights along the way. 

We moved from our old flat ("itty bitty living space") to a new flat downtown with more room to breathe. The building we live in was built in the 1500s. We walk everywhere now and love the city life. 

We had a picnic by the River Tay in Perth in the Rodney Gardens. 

The People We Have Met

We recently met a new member of the church here and taught him a lesson about the Church. (name withheld for his safety). He is from Kabul, Afghanistan and was a lecturer at the university there. He started a school for girls so they could get an education, which is forbidden by the ruling government, the Taliban. He attended a graduation for the girls and the government discovered this. He had a 3 hour interrogation by them and he told us that he didn't know if they would let him live. He was forced to sign a document that he would not be involved anymore with these activities. He fled for his life and his family and wife disowned him. He applied for asylum in Scotland and was accepted. He has a Masters in Mathematics from Kabul University and now has a Masters in Education from Dundee University here in Scotland. He is currently cleaning floors in the local grocery store! When he joined the Church of Jesus Christ and was baptized, he sat outside on a bench, spread his arms wide and was so full of joy and the peace he had found. What an example of great faith and honor.

Riya - she is from India and going to University here. We met with Riya on her last lesson with the missionaries before her baptism and had a very spiritual discussion about faith and baptism. Sister Meigs was invited to speak on The Gift of the Holy Ghost. Riya also invited Elder Meigs to confirm her a member and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. What an honor it was to do so. She was supported by her parents in India who are not members and they watched her baptism live on Zoom. The technology we have today is a real blessing in missionary work!

International members and friends - the church and community here has a lot of people from all over the world. We have met people from India, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, to name a few. Wonderful people seeking a better life or better education here. Some stay, and some return to their home country.  This is truly an international community. The Scots are very welcoming of these people and provide support for them. 

The Things We Have Done

We joined the local Rotary Club here in Perth and have been involved in community service. A great way to meet new people and help the community. We have also assisted the mission home in closing missionary flats that are no longer needed, and opening new ones in the area.

The Places We Have Seen

We visited Edinburgh recently on our day off (Prep Day or P Day) and saw a couple of awesome places:

Holyrood Palace - this is a working palace and the home of King Charles of England when he visits Scotland. They hold King's receptions, dinners and other official business in this palace. For security purposes, we were not allowed to take pictures of the inside of the Palace.

This Abbey was built first in the 1100s and the Palace was added on later.

The stone work on the ceiling is incredible!

St. Giles Cathedral - built in the 1500s, this Cathedral is still used for religious services today. The stained glass windows were simply breathtaking, When you look at the architecture you marvel at how they built such structures without modern machinery or building materials. And they are still standing!

Across the street from St. Giles Cathedral. Street musician in full dress.

Downtown Edinburgh -The Royal Mile

 This is a world famous shopping district with so many amazing shops and places of interest.

This is the home of John Knox, Protestant reformer. It is one of the oldest houses in Edinburgh, originally built around 1490.

On Calton Hill in Edinburgh - James Craig designed and built this building in the mid-1700s. Note the section to the right with different stone work. Either an add-on or they ran out of the other stones.

Glasgow

This is so true!

Glasgow Cathedral - built in the 1100s

Some of our Senior Missionary friends outside Glasgow Cathedral. Great people!!

Early version of the King James Bible dates to 1617. It disappeared from the Cathedral 250 years ago, and was found 100 years later in someone's attic.

            

The only original door left in the Cathedral (of the Sacristy dating to the 1400s.)

"The leaden bullets embedded in the timber speak of stormy times"

 

The Necropolis (or City of the Dead) next to the Glasgow Cathedral. 

Success of Missionary Work Here

The missionary work in Scotland/Ireland mission is exploding! Since before the announcement of the new temple in Edinburgh, there are many people looking for God and the truth. They are responding to the missionaries and also to ads on Facebook. Last week alone there were 1,550 new "friends" found that want to listen to the missionaries. Last year they were averaging 100 per week. Baptisms are also much higher as people embrace the message of Jesus Christ and the truth of the Book of Mormon. It is awesome to watch.

Scottish Words/Phrases of the Month

    Eeksie-peeksie - Scottish version of Even Stephen

    Yer bum's oot the wind - you are not making any sense

    Kirk - church

    Inch - meadow

Love to all and `"May the Lord Bless You and Keep You"

Glen & Jackie Meigs