International Mission Established to Serve Remote Areas of Globe

Elder Bernard P. Brockbank

Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve, has been called by the First Presidency as president of the newly formed International Mission of the Church.

In discussing the new mission with the Ensign, Elder Brockbank explained that it serves members of the Church who may be isolated from regular Church contact because business or military activities take them to remote areas of the globe.

“We know that we do have members in various parts of the world who are living outside regular mission areas, and they have no direct contact with the Church or its programs. These are the members we hope to reach.”

Elder Brockbank said that when members leave a regular stake or mission area, “we hope that they will contact us or that we will be notified by the wards or branches that they are leaving. We also are making contact with the various Church departments to see if they know of any isolated members. We will function the same as a regular mission, with our headquarters at 47 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, and anyone who knows of members who are out of normal contact with the Church should let us know their names and their whereabouts.”

Elder Brockbank said that in some cases it is possible for an isolated member to maintain contact with the Church through the closest mission headquarters. “If that is possible, then we hope that members will retain the contact that they have made. However, if they are unable to be properly served through a regular mission, then we will be their contact.

“Although we are interested in members serving in the military in remote areas, we are not taking over from the Military Relations Committee. But now and again, a member may be posted to a remote location and perhaps we can be of service. Our activities in this regard would be coordinated with the Military Relations Committee.”

Elder Brockbank said that there is a need for a direct contact with the Church where isolated members may want to perform a baptism or receive a temple recommend. “As members of the International Mission, they would contact us for direction in getting proper authorization or recommends, and we would put them in touch with the nearest mission president or stake president.

“We aim to see that members of the mission have access to Church publications and manuals, and that they are kept informed of Church programs so that they do not lose touch with the Church.”

Elder Howard W. Hunter of the Council of the Twelve is adviser to the new mission.