News Release

Peterborough missionaries interviewed live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

A post on a local Peterborough Facebook page caught the eye of BBC Radio host Dotty McLeod who wondered why two young men would offer to provide gardening and household service for free.

At her request, Elder Ethan Kidd and Elder Jarom Beale, of the England Leeds Mission, answered questions live on her breakfast show, broadcast on 5 October 2020.

Elder Kidd, from the US, and Elder Beale, from England, currently serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Peterborough. Their purpose is to share messages of hope that come through faith in Jesus Christ.

Elder Beale and Elder Kidd serving in Peterborough
Elder Beale and Elder Kidd serving in Peterborough© 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
    

Inherent in that faith is serving others as Christ would. The elders shared stories of serving in the community as well as relating how people responded to their post, which led to delivering food and clothing to those in need, gardening, painting, and heavy lifting.

When the host referred to the elders as Mormon”, Elder Kidd explained the term was a nickname from the early days of the Church and could have come as a reference to The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Christ. He explained that the book complements the Bible in testifying of Jesus Christ and that the proper name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”.

Dotty McLeod surprised the elders with a response from Sara, a woman who had received assistance from the two. She praised their efforts and expressed her gratitude for the help they rendered. When asked to respond, both agreed that it brought them happiness.

Elder Kidd said, The best thing about serving, and serving like Jesus Christ served, is you really get just as much gratification, if not more, than the person you serve.”

Elder Beale added, Its that feel-good feeling that maybe sometimes we missed in lockdown; the feeling of helping each other out.”

To listen to the interview, go to https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p08s2jmj

Start time: 01:43:08; End Time: 01:51:31. Please note that the link will expire on 2 November.

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.