Mindy Swain

HUMA 2400
Research Project
March 21, 2015

West Jordan Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Sharing the love of our Lord Jesus Christ through ministering to the whole person, spiritually,
mentally, and physically.

Being a religious minority in America has its hardships. The Seventh-day Adventists are trying to
become an established religion here in the Salt Lake Valley and want others to join. But with so
many major religions around it is hard for the smaller ones to maintain a congregation. For
example the West Jordan Seventh-day Adventists. They are a minority here in the Salt Lake
Valley as well as in America. With multiple LDS churches surrounding them. They are trying to
reach out to the public. They have made books and pamphlets as well as have a corporate
headquarters outside of Utah. But from my research I have found that their congregation is small
and the church is struggling.
On March 21, 2015 my husband and I attended the Sabbath services for the Seventh-Day
Adventist Church of West Jordan. We were greeted at the door with open arms. We were invited
to attend the Church at Study class from 10:00-11:05 with Paul Washburn. The title of the lesson
was growing in the Jesus way. Paul quoted from the bible. He knew his scriptures by heart. Some
of the Scriptures he quoted were John 14:6; Genesis 2:2; 20:8; Corinthians 7:19; John 14:15; and
John 1:9. He emphasized that God loves us unconditionally. He gave the example that when we

Mindy Swain
HUMA 2400
Research Project
March 21, 2015

were babies just learning to crawl, our parents would cheer us on. Then we would learn to walk.
When we fell down they did not get mad at us they would cheer us on and tell us to get back up
and try again. This is exactly how God loves us. There were 6 of us who attended this class.
Before the Church at Worship services started at 11:10 a.m. Paul answered a few of the questions
I had. Seventh - day Adventist study the Bible. They prefer the more modern version because it is
easier to read. But they read from all different versions. One of the class members told us about a
great app to download. It is called the Word of Promise. It is a bunch of famous people reading
the King James Bible with acting out in the background. They also watch the Hope Channel.
(26-2; 263; or 3ABN)
One class member told us the story of Ellen G. White. Ellen White was an Author and Cofounder of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Paul explained her first vision that occurred in
1844.
At this time I visited one of our Advent sisters, and in the morning
we bowed around the family altar. It was not an exciting occasion,
and there were but five of us present, all females. While praying,
the power of God came upon me as I never had felt it before, and I
was wrapt up in a vision of God's glory, and seemed to be rising
higher and higher from the earth and was shown something of the
travels of the Advent people to the Holy City

The class proceeded to tell us that Ellen is a Prophetic witness for their beliefs. They explained
that Ellen believed that we should be like Jesus and heal people, feed people, and then spiritually
teach people. So most of their colleges are hospitals. For example the Loma Linda University.

Mindy Swain
HUMA 2400
Research Project
March 21, 2015

We asked about their missionaries. They said that all of their missionaries are volunteers. And
that most of them come from colleges and universities. They do not have a specific age to go on
a mission like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Anyone who is willing and
wanting to go can.
The building in which they worship at on 9000 south and 2125 west has an interesting story of
how it came to be. Paul explained that their conferences or corporate headquarters have church
building contractors that travel around and build churches or places of worship. This particular
building was under construction when the money ran out. They were going to pack up and leave
when the right amount of money was donated to finish the building. They also said that the
pastors are sent from headquarters. That their previous pastor was there for 10 years then moved
back east. It was a few years before their current pastor arrived. I was not able to talk with the
current pastor due to he has been extremely ill. He had abdominal surgery as well as back
surgery. He is a 75 year old Vegan. (Seventh-day Adventist believe in living a Vegetarian
lifestyle and that a Vegan is the Ultimate lifestyle.) And is already off his meds. He is a fighter.
His name is Martin Emslie. While the pastor has been out healing the Elders of the church are
stepping up and covering for Pastor Emslie. We met Elder Pablo Elias. He conducted the
worship services. He said they have 3 flaws. They hug too much, Love too much, and are too
friendly. Then he laughed and said that he is ok with that.
Growing up in the LDS faith I have never attended another religions Sabbath services. This was
an intriguing experience for me. I met a lot of people who were previously LDS who were
baptized into the Seventh - day Adventist religion. I met Catholics, Lutherans and others who
are now baptized members of the Seventh-day Adventist church. They did not judge me that I

Mindy Swain
HUMA 2400
Research Project
March 21, 2015

was LDS or that the others used to be different religions they were extremely welcoming.
Although they really wanted us to come back. We couldnt leave until we said we would think
about it.
The Church at Worship services started with Singing Worship. We sang HOW GREAT THOU ART
and ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS. There were about 85+ people in attendance. They had their
Deacons come forward. Then Pablo offered a prayer. Proceeded by the Deacons gathering the
offerings. The church announcements for the day stated that todays offerings if for the local
church budget. Which is $4,300 a month. They have received $978.43 leaving them with
$3321.57 left to raise with only 2 Sabbaths left in March. With next Sabbaths offering for
conference advance. This information that I gathered continued to support my thesis that this
congregation was struggling. They are in need of more members and more money to continue to
operate.
Brian Ballard was filling in for the Special musical number today. He played and sang a beautiful
song on the Piano. The words that stuck with me were A simple touch will cure me. It ended
with and Amen and clapping.
Then Kathy Mickelson gave todays sermon: The Bible-Our Access to God, His communication
to us, and His promises of Hope. She said when we pray we talk to God. When we read God
talks to us. We get knowledge by reading. We get perspective by studying.
They mentioned that they have been persecuted for their beliefs. But that people need to realize
that they have more in common than we have different. They just dont know the book of
Revelations like we do. They are accepting of others and want to share what they believe.

Mindy Swain
HUMA 2400
Research Project
March 21, 2015

I was given a book of their beliefs as well as a book about who the Seventh-day Adventists are.
They accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teachings
of the Holy Scriptures.

They have their own website http://wjsda.adventistfaith.org/. This is a great resource for their
members to answer questions.
This project allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and reach out and learn more about The
West Jordan Seventh-day Adventists. Their Sabbath is on Saturday and they follow the Bible as
their word of God. They believe in Vegetarianism. They work closely with the corporate
headquarters or conference. Because this is a smaller congregation they are financially struggling
to make ends meet. They need more members and the members that they already have they need
them to step up and fill the positions that are needed to be filled. They are normal people. They
love each other. They are extremely welcoming. With their Pastor unable to attend for health
reasons, I witnessed the congregation stepping up and fulfilling the responsibilities that were

Mindy Swain
HUMA 2400
Research Project
March 21, 2015

needed to be filled to worship on their Sabbath day. This religion may be a minority religion but
the faith and love of the members of the West Jordan Seventh-day Adventists they will succeed.
Just like the old saying goes. Where there is a will, there is a way. And this congregation has the
will to be successful.