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Here is a brief history of the Kentucky Louisville Mission:

Church Almanac --> Kentucky

Many years ago (mid-nineteenth century), Wilford Woodruff served in the Southern States Mission and served in the Western Kentucky and Tennessee areas. Elder Delbert L. Stapley, a longtime general authority, also served in Western Kentucky (Bowling Green; early twentieth century).

In later years, the mission became known as the East-Central States Mission, then, the Kentucky- Tennessee Mission, with headquarters on Eastern Parkway in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Kentucky Louisville Mission as it is known today originated on July 1, 1975. It began from a division of the Kentucky-Tennessee Mission (which became the Kentucky Louisville and Tennessee Nashville Missions) and the addition of the Ohio Cincinnati Stake (from the Ohio Columbus Mission). The first mission president of the Kentucky Louisville Mission was Reed A. Benson of Provo, Utah (7/75 - 7/78). Since that time, seven mission presidents have ably led this great mission.

Geographically, the Kentucky Louisville Mission included the Louisville (Kentucky), Cincinnati (Ohio), and Lexington (Kentucky) Stakes. Parts of Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Southwestern Ohio were included in the first mission.

The Tennessee Nashville Mission comprised the Nashville (Tennessee) and Knoxville (Tennessee) Stakes, along with the Paducah (Kentucky) and Chattanooga (Tennessee) Districts.

The Kentucky Louisville Mission was divided into two missions on July 1, 1998:

Here are some additional mission history comments added by Elder Mert Davis:

If my info and recollections are correct - Samuel Smith (the Prophet's brother) traveled through Kentucky - Tennessee in the late 1830's. In Altamont, Tenn he baptized four families - Northcutt, Fults, Campbell, and I think Killian. Altamont is the site of the first LDS Chapel built in Tennessee - a rock structure that was built in the mid to late 1800's, and was still in use in 1970. I may have my construction dates off a little... Descendants of these families were still living in Altamont in the 1970's. Chester Fults was a store owner in Altamont and a counselor to President William Day - the Mission President (1969-72). Pres. Fults was killed in a robbery attempt at his store in the 1980's - an article about it was in Church News. If you have Essentials in Church History by Joseph Fielding Smith, Deseret Book 1972 (the edition I have) there is a story on page 486 about the Tennessee Massacre in which two elders and two non members were killed when the house they were meeting in was attacked by a mob on August 10, 1884. In August 1971, Elders Fadell, Doug Stoddard, Dale Brown, and myself visited the road side marker, and hiked through the woods looking for the grave site of the two non-members who were killed. We encountered a old gentleman - a Mr. Basheetalley, who was a descendant of the Condor family (in whose house the services were being held, and whose son was killed trying to protect the elders). The grave site is not where the highway marker says it is- it has been moved further back in the woods to deter vandals. After properly identifying ourselves - we were wearing slacks, shirts, ties, and name tags, Mr. Basheetalley took us to the grave site. I have pictures of Elders Fadell, Stoddard, Brown, and Mr. Basheetalley at the grave site of John Riley Hudson and Martin Condor. Elder B. H. Roberts who was in charge of the mission (the Mission Pres was in Salt Lake City) traveled to the area (near Holenwald, Tenn) and retrieved the bodies of Elders John Gibbs and William Berry and had them shipped to Utah. Your web site brings back memories. When I was there, with the exception of the Memphis area the mission covered almost all of Kentucky, most of Tennessee, and parts of Virginia. Mert Davis wilddavi@gte.net , KTM, 1969-71

1976 Kentucky Louisville Mission Yearbook

I have a copy of the 1976 yearbook that Pres Benson put together for the mission. Each missionary received a copy. David B. Haight was our Area Advisor, Paul H. Dunn was the Area Supervisor. It includes some historic highlights of the mission from July 1975 to December 1976.

Dec 1975 - 184 missionaries

Dec 1976 - 218 missionaries

October 1975 Weekly Bulletin initiated called "The Baptizer

Jan 1976 Pres Ezra T. Benson dedicates Louisville Stake Center

Sept 1976 Pres Ezra T. Benson dedicates Lexington Stake Center

Mission Presidents of the Kentucky Louisville Mission:

THE GREAT

KENTUCKY LOUISVILLE MISSION

SONG

(Tune: "Come Listen To A Prophet's Voice"; to be sung with VIGOR and ENTHUSIASM!)

Come join the forces of the Lord

As we teach his word with love.

To the people of Kentucky-Louisville

With help from up above.

We'll teach, we'll testify and then baptize

As we serve with might, mind, and will.

To each honest heart we will bring the Word

Every challenge we'll fulfill.

 We are up at half past six each day

We will strive to do what is right

We will find lost sheep

And bring them to the fold

Never shrink nor shun the fight

A marvelous work and a wonder we'll do--

Though the Lord may put us to the test

With a message true

We've got a job to do

And we'll make Kentucky-Louisville the BEST!

 SURE LOVE YA!

Kentucky Louisville Mission Anthem

("Stout Hearted Men" * President Reed A. Benson) President Benson used to have us sing the traditional words first and then the ones written for our mission:

Original lyrics:

Give me some men who are stout-hearted men

Who will fight for the rights they adore;

Start me with ten who are stout-hearted men

And I'll soon give you ten thousand more.

So, shoulder to shoulder and bolder and bolder

We go as we march to the fore (door);

And, there's nothing in this world can halt or mar a plan

When stout-hearted men can stick together man to man.

Pres Benson and company rewrite:

Truth is restored, we've been called by the Lord

Through the rod of a prophet of God.

We have the sword of the latter-day word

And Kentucky's the sod that we'll trod.

So, lengthen your stride, talents you mustn't hide

Time is fleet and the harvest is great...

As a man in his heart thinketh, so then he will be;

Think baptisms, thousands then will join in Kentucky. Submitted by Bill Patterson (and Ted Nickerson) - billatnhs@hotmail.com

KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE

MISSION SONG

(President George D. Durrant)

'Twas in Kentucky and Tennessee

My Heavenly Father called me to serve;

I met great people, the choicest ever

And formed new friendships so dear to me.

Kentucky and Tennessee was where I labored

To carry forward the Word of God.

Doors ever opened by kindly people,

Brothers and sisters so dear to me.

Those blessed memories of old Kentucky

And Tennessee thou art dear to me.

Green hills and valleys are ever calling

My mission home so dear to me.

SURE LOVE YA!