A rich Dutch missionary history....

Gerardus and Aaltje Denkers Family
Sitting: Hendrik, Gerardus, Gertruida, Aaltje, Bernardus
Standing: Dirkje, Hermanus, Pieter, Aaltje, Barend

As we prepared for our mission to Holland, we discovered a far richer missionary heritage than we ever understood.  We feel it should be included in this blog, because it adds such a deep understanding of our love for the Dutch people.

It all began with Brent's great-grandparents, Gerardus Albertus Denkers and his wife, Aaltje Brand, in 1887, They, with their children who were old enough, joined the church in Deventer, Netherlands.

Gerardus was the foreman of a print shop in Deventer.  When he reported to work on Monday morning following his baptism, the owner asked, "What church do you belong to?"
"I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," replied Gerardus.
"Is that the Mormons?" demanded the owner.
"Yes it is!" Gerardus proudly replied.
"I want you out of here! No _____ Mormons are going to work for me!" was the owner's response...

Gerardus left the print office, wondering what would happen to his family, how would he provide for them? The wind blew a newspaper across his ankle and he reached down to remove it.  Circled in the paper was a want ad for a print foreman in Almelo. Gerardus applied for the job and was hired. The family moved to Almelo and later immigrated to America and to Ogden, Utah.


The missionary story continues with Brent's grandfather, Bernardus Albertus Denkers story, as reported in the Deseret Evening News, Dec. 26, 1903, titled:

Missionary Experience
A Prophecy that came True
Signs Follow Faith
Elder Bernard A. Denkers writes from Rotterdam, Holland, November 25, 1903.

"I was called on my first mission to Holland in 1894 by President Wilford Woodruff.  When I was 20 years of age, I had the privilege of leaving upon a mission for Holland on January 7, 1895.   

During that mission I was once led to prophesy that for the next 10 years one out of my father’s house would be upon a mission.

A month before my release I met my brother Herman who had also come to fill a mission.  We traveled for a few weeks together visiting the scenes of childhood and held meetings wherever the occasion presented itself.  He stayed on his mission for 33 months.

Bernardus and Letitia Denkers

Then my dear father came.  He too was called to fill a mission to his native land.  His stay was for a two year duration.

Again, the Lord thought me worthy to fill another mission for which I started January 26, 1902.  This time the sacrifice of leaving a companion and babe was experienced.  I arrived in Rotterdam during February, and there met my father who had been there two years.  It is needless to say that we were delighted to meet each other and enjoyed each other’s company."

During this same period of time my younger brother, Henrik also served a mission, which completed the ten years.

Elder Bernard A. Denkers baptized over 67 members in Groningen and Rotterdam.
                                 
                                                                                                             
            








                          Picture of Lettie Phillips Denkers                                                        with
                             William Jacob Denkers and baby,
                                   Bernard Lionel Denkers.

                                                                                         



Brent's brother, Gary, served in the Netherlands from 1964-67.

Brent served in the Netherlands from 1968-71.  He was the last missionary to serve in Holland without learning the language before arriving in the country.  He served during the years when discussions were memorized. It was difficult for Brent to learn the Dutch language at first, because he was worried about his brother, Gary, who was serving his country in Viet Nam.  Brent received a special blessing from his Mission President, Peter Dalebout, and within 2-3 weeks Brent had learned all the discussions.

Brent served in Amsterdam, Hengelo, Deventer, Den Helder, Utrecht, Maastricht, and Mechelen. Brent served as the Brussels District Leader while living in Mechelen, and his Zone Leader was Elder Alden C. Robinson, the current Mission
President for the Belgium / Netherlands Mission.






While Brent served his mission in Holland, Suzanne attended college at Ricks College and Utah State University. She wrote to him occasionally... he wrote more faithfully.

         

Our engagement picture

 Within three weeks of Brent's return from the Netherlands we were engaged, and married three and a half months later!  Even then there were discussions about our future mission together!

                                   




Our children all grew up knowing that mom & dad would
 go on a mission as soon as they retired.

We were even interviewed for an article in the February 2012 Ensign following the announcement about "Policy Changes for Couples" (Help Make Mission a Reality). 
See the article below.

                                             

             And the story continues as our family grows!