Awaking the Sleepy

Nestled in the foothills of Virginia near the West Virginia border is the sleepy village of Pearisburg. Darrell R. Mann is the bishop of the ward there. He is a most dynamic, energetic man and has worked closely with the missionaries in the Roanoke Virginia Mission to bring many people into the Church. The missionaries refer to Bishop “Ah-mann” as a modern-day Ammon, a “one-man missionary team,” because of his vigorous warmth. Since November 1986, he has influenced more than twenty-five people, mostly personal friends, to join the Church. He finds them, invites them to take the lessons, helps teach them, commits them to baptism, participates in the baptismal service, and then continues to fellowship them into full activity. Having awakened his friends and associates to the gospel, Bishop Mann is now awakening other members in Pearisburg to the joyful rewards of missionary service.—James W. Ritchie, president, Roanoke Virginia Mission

Bishop Darrell Mann with his closest missionaries—his kids.