To Latter-Day Saints around the world, the hymn "Come, Come, Ye Saints," epitomizes the pioneer spirit and unwavering faith of the early Mormon struggles to create Zion in the West. Each stanza of that inspiring hymn of faith ends with the calm assurance that "all is well" in spite of the adversities and difficulties experienced by the early pioneers.

The same can be said for modern pioneers who are building the Lord's kingdom in the heart of the South, which is commonly referred to as the Bible Belt.Bishop Kevin Washington of the Kingsland Ward, Jacksonville Florida North Stake, is indeed a modern pioneer. As the first bishop of African-American descent in south Georgia, he is blazing new ground and creating an exciting interest in the Church's commitment to multicultural diversity.

His conversion, as well as that of his family, to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in August 1978 is inspiring.

Only two short weeks passed from the time the Washington family had affiliated themselves with another faith before Elder Steven Bartholomew and Elder Jeff Lamn, two young missionaries, knocked on the door of their home in Cedartown, Ga. That initial visit from two young missionaries would forever change the lives of the members of Kevin and Marie Washington's family.

"I knew, almost immediately, that there was something about the spirituality of those two young men and the message they so boldly proclaimed," said Bishop Washington.

The Washingtons received and accepted the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

There were hurdles the Washingtons had to clear before and after they heard the gospel message. Bishop Washington said he grew up in the South during a time when blacks were separated from whites in places such as schools. So while he was attending Savannah State College on a football scholarship and was offered a job by his former high school coach, he was skeptical.

However, when he graduated, the coach renewed the offer and eventually brought his former player onto his coaching staff. That helped Bishop Washington overcome some of the feelings that became part of his life when he was younger.

When Bishop and Sister Washington were baptized, theirs was the only black family in the Cedartown Branch, he said. They faced that situation in several other wards and branches as they moved to various communities in Georgia.

"It was always a little awkward to walk into a congregation when you were the only black family there," he said.

But they relied on the strength of their testimony to overcome that awkwardness. Bishop Washington believes his family may have helped other black families overcome inhibitions about joining the Church. "Every place we have moved, we have been either directly or indirectly a part of baptizing black families into the Church," he said.

Interestingly, the year the Washingtons joined the Church coincided with the revelation received by President Spencer W. Kimball that all worthy male members could hold the priesthood. When Bishop Washington joined the Church, he was asked how he felt about African Americans once being denied the priesthood. He said his response was that he didn't know how he felt, because he didn't have a deep understanding of that part of the gospel. As his testimony deepened, he was grateful for the revelation that allowed him to receive the priesthood.

In the 18 years since he joined the Church, Bishop Washington has labored diligently in a variety of callings. Since his first calling as a Blazer teacher in the Primary he has served as a seminary teacher, second counselor in a branch presidency, stake executive secretary, Sunday School teacher, Young Men president, ward mission leader, high councilor, and, now, in his present capacity as bishop.

Bishop Washington's wife, Marie, has experienced an equally challenging variety of auxiliary callings in the Church. Their son Keith has completed a mission in California and is attending Ricks College. Their daughter Natosha is a freshman at Ricks College. Their youngest daughter Stephanie is a freshman at Camden County High School and enjoys morning seminary.

The restored gospel has strengthened and unified the family in a way that was previously hard for them to imagine.

While each of the Washingtons will readily admit that at times it has been challenging to represent gospel standards, they have only to remember the unique challenges of the pioneers during the westward migration. When they reflect on the many blessings that have enriched their lives as a result of Church membership, they are able to declare in unison "all is well, all is well!"