Today’s Pioneers

During the 1990s an idea gradually came to fruition that had previously been discussed, but not fully implemented within the SUP organization: “Looking only backward at history is good, but not great.” Accordingly, the SUP mission statement was modified and now reads, in part: “The Society also honors present-day pioneers worldwide in many walks of life who exemplify these same qualities of character [faith in God, devotion to family, loyalty to church and country, hard work and service to others, courage in adversity, personal integrity and unyielding determination]. It is further intended to teach these same qualities to the youth who will be tomorrow’s pioneers.” To make it really meaningful, the great legacy left at such cost by the early pioneers must live again in the lives of pioneers of today and must live again in the lives of our children who must be tomorrow’s pioneers.

Emanuel Ohene Opare Recently at a special SUP activity, Emanuel Opare of Ghana (pictured left with Grant Barton) was recognized as an outstanding modern-day pioneer. Emanuel and his wife, Monica, live with their family in this undeveloped West African country where the Church has sometimes struggled to gain acceptance from a hostile government. When church buildings were padlocked and armed soldiers threatened worshippers, Emanuel’s advice as a leader of his persecuted people was always to obey the government but continue faithful to the principles they knew to be right.

His own integrity was well known, both to his faithful flock and to his employers in high government positions. As a stake president and then as an Area Authority, with a host of serious problems constantly facing him, he has continued faithful to the pioneer ideals of faith in God, devotion to family, courage in adversity and service to others.

We honor him for his integrity and for his unrelenting service to his people. Robert and Susan Roylance Susan Roylance has spearheaded the “Stay Alive” HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Program for Children, used by thousands of public school teachers and community groups in many countries. Bob and Susan have personally introduced these materials into eight African countries. Susan also founded United Families International, an organization that lobbies at the United Nations and informs many people in many nations, shoring up the traditional family which is under such intense attack. She also wrote the Pro-Family Negotiating Guide, which is used by diplomats and delegates to craft international public policy to strengthen the family.

Bob Roylance, an ag-economics professional and an officer of the Church Farm Management Division, supervised hundreds of LDS church farms until he retired early to assist farmers in Kenya and other African countries to drill wells, irrigate their crops, and market them internationally. With Susan, he helped pioneer the work of the Reach the Children organization and assisted in the adoption of hundreds of orphans into loving families. For these wonderful pioneering efforts, the SUP has honored this exemplary couple as among “Today’s Pioneers.” Sister Roylance presenting school books.