Polynesian church

In the 1950's the church is New Zealand was considered a polynesian church because so many members were of that heritage and there were very few "white" members. In 1951 the mission president sent a set of elders to the north shore (that is where we live) to see if there was any type of interest or reception to the church. If I have the story correct one of those missionaries was Elder Garry Ursenbach, my uncle. They tracked the entire day and did not get into any doors. The word had gone out into the community that the Mormons were in the streets and many doors were closed to them. They came to the home of the Roberts. She had been watching them go door and door and when they knocked, she let them in. The country was still struggling to recover from the effects of WWII. Her husband had served for over 5 years and they were just getting back on their feet. When the missionaires knocked, she took advantage of the truths to bring her joy and happiness again and was soon baptized. Her husband took longer for this to happen. On the morning of his baptism he laid on the bed, smoking a cigerette and told his wife that he would do this on the condition that he was never asked to do anything in the church. Within a matter of months he was teaching gospel doctrine and passed away after serving as branch president, bishop, stake president, regional representative etc. They became the backbone of the church in New Zealand among the white people. Their family still are great leaders. Another family that joined about that time was the Dil's. They too have served in every capacity. We had the privilege of having dinner with Michael and Christine Roberts and Tina and Lindsey Dil. What a blessing to learn of the great history and heritage of the church and to know that my uncle had part of the beginnings. There is a great mixing of the blood in New Zealand. Very few at what would be considered white. Those in the church began to mix races first and now the country is a very mixed one. Very few are white or maori or tongan or samoan but they do hold on to their heritage. What an interesting place to be!