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 [email protected].  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.

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