A Life of Service and Love

You don’t have to spend much time with Ken and Ro Jean Bassett to notice their love and willingness to serve. Indeed, service has played a vital role in their lives. This special couple had the chance to mentor our students for a week. They taught them powerful principles, such as honesty, integrity, and trust. As we learn more about them, we see clearly that these priceless lessons are the foundation of their lives. They came to share their lessons with us and spread God’s love to our students.

Ro Jean was born in Vernal, Utah. Enthusiasts of dinosaurs would love to tour the city since it’s known as Dinosaur Land for the dinosaur bones found there. She studied for three semesters at BYU in Utah and one at BYU – Hawaii. Ro Jean has worked for seminaries and institutes of religion for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Ken grew up in Boise, Idaho. He served as a missionary in Japan. After his mission service, he went to Brigham Young University and graduated in Communications. He also has a Master’s in Public Administration. He spent decades as a City Manager. The Bassetts have six children and seventeen grandchildren.

From Turkey with Love

Ro Jean had wanted to serve a mission since she was five years old when she remembered a special childhood memory. Her sister had returned home from her mission on Christmas Eve. “I started meeting with my Bishop to fill in my papers while I was dating Ken,” she says. But then, something happened that changed her plans. “Ken proposed to me! I said ‘yes’ only on the condition that we serve a senior couple mission. He promised me that, and we did!” Ken recalls: “I was bold enough to tell her she can’t go on a mission. She should stay and marry me. It was a promise that I made to her that we would serve a senior mission together. Which is kind of a hard promise to keep since you don’t know what is going to happen in the next 40 years. Health issues or other things can come up, you know. But we were blessed. Fortunately for us when we both retired we left for the MTC almost immediately. It was really quick. Thankfully so!”

Ro Jean and Ken Bassett served as a missionary couple in Turkey. They loved their service time there. Strengthened their faith in God and served others around them. They served mostly in Turkey but also in Spain, Moldova, and Bulgaria. This mission changed their lives forever. One of the main interesting cultural learnings they had is how the people in Turkey love hugging and kissing. “It wasn’t necessarily a cultural shock, it was just different,” recalls Ro Jean. “I always knew my family loved me, but they weren’t that much into physical touch.”

“We Are All Brothers and Sisters when We Share Love”

Their mission shaped them. Reflecting on the lessons learned during this special time, Ken says: “In shopping and everything, the minute you tried to speak their language they loved it and immediately connected with it. They treated you like a brother and a sister. What I learned from that was because of the love we had for them and they had for us, however far away from home you are, we are all brothers and sisters. All of us. You can connect with anyone.” Although far from home, they said we are all brothers and sisters when we share love.

The couple brought this lesson to Cumorah Academy. The couple says that even with different cultures and backgrounds when we share love, we instantly connect. Students from other countries and cultures have come to Cumorah Academy looking for a new life perspective. The Bassetts easily connect with our students. “I know the Lord is happy when He sees those connections being made,” concludes Ken.

Lessons Learned

Ro Jean and Ken Bassett have a life full of love, service, progress, and hope. They are role models for our dear students and all who meet them. As they served in Turkey, Spain, and other countries, they are now sharing love in the Czech Republic. What do they want students to take away from them after this week with them? “I hope they know we are happy to get to know them. They’re fun. They’re special. We are proud of them for wanting to come here and improve,” says Ro Jean. “We love their stories. Some of them have been through some trying times to get here and try to improve their lives. One thing we want them to know is that marriage can be an incredible blessing in their lives,” says Ken.

The Bassetts’ service to our students has made an indelible impression on them. Ken hopes the students will keep the friendships they’re making here at Cumorah Academy. They want them to learn and live what they learned in Turkey: We are all brothers and sisters when we share love, anywhere we may be.

Watch their testimony about their experience on campus:

Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.

Photos by Camila Caraveo

Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer

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