New Series Trailer - Elevated Perspectives: Stories of Faith from Latter-day Saints in Kansas

On 24 June 1962, a significant milestone was reached in the spiritual landscape of Kansas. The Wichita Kansas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized, marking the establishment of the first stake headquartered within Kansas and the 355th stake of the Church.  This event was presided over by President Joseph Fielding Smith and Elder Howard W. Hunter of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

The creation of the Wichita Kansas Stake not only signified organizational growth but also reflected the deepening roots of the Church in our area.  It stands as a testament to the dedication of early members who laid the foundation for future generations of Latter-day Saints in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Hello, I’m Paul Kitchen, a stake history specialist and the host of a new podcast series titled Elevated Perspectives: Stories of Faith from Latter-day Saints in Kansas.  Unlike the interview-based format of our previous podcast episodes, this series delves into the rich tapestry of the Church in Kansas, sharing narrative accounts of events, moments, and milestones that have shaped our community.  Each episode features personal memories from individuals who experienced these events, offering unique insights into our collective journey of faith.  Regardless of how long you’ve been part of our community, you are important, and your experiences contribute to the ongoing history of the Church in our area.  Stories don’t need to be major or dramatic—simple reflections on an activity, a meeting, or a service project that holds special meaning to you is exactly what I’m looking for.  Stories can be brief, as I will be compiling contributions from multiple individuals into each episode. 

The goal of this series is to preserve and share the history of our stake in a way that highlights the influence of Jesus Christ and His Church in the everyday lives of the Latter-day Saints in our area.  I’ll be happy to make a recording with you more than once, especially if future episodes spark additional memories.

Please contact me to share stories, photographs, and experiences.  I can be reached at 316-803-9957 or [e-mail].  Additionally, scanned newspaper articles, photographs, and other relevant documents will be made available to the public through a digital folder linked in each episode’s description.  All sources used in the production of each episode will also be cited accordingly.

Episodes will be released intermittently, as I gather, organize, and craft historical narratives.  Episodes won’t follow a chronological order, but will instead highlight diverse experiences and perspectives from our stake’s past.

I invite you to join me as I embark on a reflective journey of discovery through the rich landscape of faith, history, and community that continues to shape the Wichita Kansas Stake.

__________________________

Sources used for this trailer:

Deseret News, 30 June 1962, p. 29.

The Improvement Era, September 1962, p. 624.

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
On the 24th of June 1962, a significant milestone was
reached in the spiritual landscape of Kansas.
The Wichita, KS Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints was officially organized, marking the
establishment of the first stakeheadquartered within Kansas and
the 355th stake of the Church. This event was presided over by

(00:26):
President Joseph Fielding Smith and other Howard W Hunter of the
Quorum of the 12 Apostles. The creation of the Wichita, KS
Stake not only signified organizational growth but also
reflected the deepening roots ofthe Church in our area.
It stands as a testament to the dedication of early members who
laid the foundation for future generations of Latter Day Saints

(00:48):
in Kansas and Oklahoma. Hello, I'm Paul Kitchen, a steak
history specialist and the host of a new podcast series titled
Elevated Perspectives, Stories of Faith from Latter Day Saints
in Kansas. Unlike the interview based
format of our previous podcast episodes, this series delves

(01:10):
into the rich tapestry of the church in Kansas, sharing
narrative accounts of events, moments, and milestones that
have shaped our community. Each episode features personal
memories from individuals who experienced these events,
offering unique insights into our collective journey of faith.
Regardless of how long you've been part of our community, you

(01:33):
are important and your experiences contribute to the
ongoing history of the church inour area.
Stories don't need to be major or dramatic.
Simple reflections on an activity, a meeting, or a
service project that holds special meaning to you is
exactly what I'm looking for. Stories can be brief, as I will
be compiling contributions from multiple individuals into each

(01:56):
episode. The goal of this series is to
preserve and share the history of our stake in a way that
highlights the influence of Jesus Christ and His Church in
the everyday lives of the LatterDay Saints in our area.
I'll be happy to make a recording with you more than
once, especially a future episode spark additional
memories. Please contact me to share

(02:18):
stories, photographs, and experiences.
I can be reached at 316-803-9957or [e-mail].
Additionally, scanned newspaper articles, photographs and other
relevant documents will be made available to the public through
a digital folder LinkedIn each episodes description.

(02:42):
All sources used in the production of each episode will
also be cited accordingly. Episodes will be released
intermittently as I gather, organize, and craft historical
narratives. Episodes won't follow a
chronological order, but will instead highlight diverse
experiences and perspectives from our state's past.

(03:05):
I invite you to join me as I embark on a reflective journey
of discovery through the rich landscape of faith.
History and community continues to shape the Wichita KS Stake.