Walking Where his Forefathers Walked

Kaleb's great-great-grandfather, Samuel Martin, left England in search of meaningful employment in South Africa that would allow him to marry and support his sweetheart, Clara. He was only 21 when he boarded the S.S. Goth at the Southampton docks. He landed in Cape Town on 8 April 1896. A year and a half later, with secure employment, Samuel sent money to England so his brother could escort Clara to Cape Town. Samuel and Clara were married the day after she arrived.

Jim, Samuel, Clara, Theo, and Frank Martin in 1926

More than 100 years ago, Elder Warren H. Lyon left his family to serve a mission in South Africa. Elder Lyon and his companion were introduced to Samuel and his young family in 1903. Samuel recognized the teachings of these Mormon Elders were more inline with his understanding of the scriptures than what was being taught by the various other churches he attended. Line upon line, precept upon precept, Samuel learned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Elder Lyon. Samuel was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 16 October 1904 in Table Bay on Salt River Beach.

Alfred James Martin, the 7th child of Samuel and Clara, was born 2 November 1911 in Woodstock, South Africa. Jim is Kaleb's great-grandfather. The Martin family emigrated to Ogden, Utah, when Jim was 5 years old. 

Samuel, Clara, and their three youngest sons returned to Cape Town in 1926 to preside over the South Africa Mission of the Church. Jim left to serve his own mission to France in 1929, returning to the USA after completing his service. 

Kaleb's grandfather, Blaine, is the third child of Jim and Helen Martin. In the early 1960s Blaine served a mission to Cape Town, South Africa. Fifty years later, Kaleb's first phone call to announce his mission call was to granddad.

Elder Kaleb Martin now has the opportunity to walk where his forefathers walked. To serve the people of South Africa. To share the Gospel.