Expanding East
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It didn't take Allan Thompson very long to realize he was not in Utah anymore. On his first visit to Rutgers Law School, the Logan, Utah, native said, "It seemed pretty fast-paced. The office staff was pretty short with me and got pretty frustrated with my pauses in conversation."
Despite a rocky first impression, Allan grew to love New Jersey and now, having passed both the New Jersey and Pennsylvania bar exams, is looking to remain in the area.
Allan is just one of many members in the Cherry Hill New Jersey Stake who have come from the West and have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly the East began to feel like home.
Neighboring the community of Moorestown, which was named among the Best Places to Live in the U.S. by Money Magazine in 2006, Cherry Hill is surrounded by a rich culture and many historically significant sites. It is also known for its proximity to Washington D.C., Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
Cherry Hill is home to the Willis family. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Bert and his wife, Christine, moved to South Jersey 27 years ago when he began working for the Campbell's Soup Company.
"The first issue people have is, 'How will my family do?' " said Brother Willis, speaking of families who move to areas where the Church is less prominent. "I don't think we could have done better anywhere else. We did our best and, while the Church is spread out here, there are enough good people and you get enough reinforcement that when you are trying to do it right, you're OK."
Brother and Sister Willis raised their five sons in South Jersey. Four of them have left from the Cherry Hill stake to serve missions.
There is another reason why South Jersey feels like home for the Willis family. Years ago, Brother Willis' great-great-grandmother, Rachel Ridgeway Ivins Grant, joined the Church in this area at great costs. After being disowned by her well-to-do family, she went west where she married Jedediah M. Grant, who eventually became a counselor to President Brigham Young.
After her husband's death, Rachel was left to raise her week-old son, Heber J. Grant, who would later become the seventh president of the Church.
"It is enormously fulfilling to know that we've returned to the area she had to leave because of the Church," Brother Willis said. "We feel privileged to be part of the Church's growth in the East."
Missionary work is another great aspect of living in the East, said Bishop Anton Bowden of the Cherry Hill 2nd Ward. He and his wife, Jennifer, moved to South Jersey after he graduated from the University of Utah. He said that the most gratifying thing to watch has been his wife's blossoming missionary efforts. Sister Bowden, kind and friendly, yet shy, quickly became more involved in sharing the gospel when she realized that in her new area she might be the only member of the Church her new friends and neighbors ever met.
The Bowdens' oldest son Samuel, 10, is becoming aware of the types of questions he might be asked about the family's religion. "He brings it up with us. He asks us questions before they are raised to him," said Brother Bowden. "He knows the questions will come and I think he's ready."
Brother Bowden said he also enjoys the vast amount of history available in the area. "It's amazing to drive down King's Highway and realize it was commissioned by (England's) King George and to visit Valley Forge, and to be so close to so many Church history sites."
Members in South Jersey definitely have plenty of opportunities to be good examples. Nowhere is this more apparent, perhaps, than in the life of President Vai Sikahema, second counselor in the stake presidency.
Originally from Nuku'Alofa, Tonga, President Sikahema moved to New Jersey from Arizona when he joined the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League. After his stint with the Eagles, he was hired by WCAU-10, now an NBC affiliate, as their sports director.
"I had every intention of returning to Arizona, but a job opened up at WCAU and because of my previous television experience they offered me the position," said President Sikahema.
He explained that the job would put him on television every night and would give him even more exposure than during his time with the NFL. "My family recognized the unique opportunities this would open for us. We made a commitment to do our best, as a family, to share the gospel and touch as many lives as we could, without abusing those privileges."
He added, "We didn't do anything extraordinary, we just did what people in the Church do. The difference is that we have those (missionary) opportunities many more times than others. I have the chance to talk about the Church all the time." This he said from a cell phone conversation shortly before a news interview about the role the Church plays in the lives of its members and what it does for them.
The Sikahemas have been living in New Jersey for almost 15 years now. Both President Sikahema and his wife, Keala, grew up in largely LDS populated communities. Referring to the task of moving east, he said, "There is always some trepidation because you're moving your family out of their comfort zone. Back in Gilbert (Ariz.), the kids were used to having release time for seminary. Now they have to get up for early-morning seminary.
"They also love to go to the Church dances because where now they don't see their Church friends every day, some are willing to come from as far as two hours away to be at these dances. You come to find that good kids gravitate to good kids."
A common concern for many LDS families is the environment in which their children are raised. President Sikahema noted, "Out here, my kids are the only members in their school. They recognize the responsibility this brings. I don't think placing those responsibilities on them is overbearing — it's healthy. They now welcome and cherish that responsibility."
E-mail to: cmorales@desnews.com
