For the third time in history, the restored gospel is actively being taught on the island of Malta, located halfway between Sicily and North Africa in the Mediterranean Sea. And the few Latter-day Saints living here have faith that this missionary effort will succeed.

When Apostle Lorenzo Snow was in charge of missionary work in Italy in the mid-1850s, he became interested in Malta. Because of its location and the Maltese language - a Semitic language written with Roman alphabet - Elder Snow saw the island as a possible jumping-off place for carrying the gospel to many other countries.After a visit to Malta in June 1852, Elder Snow left Elders Jabez Woodard and Thomas Obray in charge of the missionary effort. Between 1852 and 1856, some proselyting progress was made, and a branch of about 25 people came into existence.

But there also was intense opposition to the work, and when the Crimean War scattered most of the British military personnel who had joined the Church, missionary efforts on the island ceased.

More than a century later, in July 1979, a second effort into Malta was undertaken when the Italy Catania Mission sent Elders Victor Bonnici (of Maltese extraction) and Paul Anderson to the island. They made good contacts among the 350,000 inhabitants, but because of visa problems were unable to stay long enough to establish a branch.

Then in early 1988, Elder Rodger Gunn and Sister Helen Gunn were sent as a missionary couple to Malta. Assisted by two elders from the Italy Catania Mission, they have baptized several Maltese people, established a branch and sponsored cultural evenings and a family history seminar.

One young man just joined the Church after he responded to a notice placed in the local newspaper and was taught by the Gunns.

The branch meets in an old villa in the country near Naxxar that the Gunns located in the spring of 1989. Outside the home is a deep, blue-tiled lily pond that is used as a baptismal font.

A small but gratifying event occurred recently when a convert, Emmanuel De Manuele, a counselor in the branch presidency, stood before the Sunday School and translated into Maltese the song, "I Am a Child of God."

With prayers and support of Maltese Latter-day Saints who have gathered in Australia, Canada and the United States, the restored gospel is finally becoming established on the island. That is the faith and hope of the little flock of 21 members here.