Historical Note
From the December 1, 1982 Field Letter, from the Correspondence Secretary
"Dear Kingdom-bound Saint:
Twenty-two Branch delegates from America, Canada, England, Australia, and Africa attended the Third International Christian Embassy Feast of Tabernacles Celebration in Jerusalem, October 2-9, 1982.
Those from America were Sisters Lois Roden, Mable Scott, Catherine Matteson, Caridad Feliz, Bessie Jones, Irmine Sampson, Roma Smith, and Harriet Phelps, and Brethren John Ramsay, Russell Costa and William Worrow. Sister Novelette Sinclair represented Canada; Sisters Jean Smith and Rosalind Alloway represented Australia. Those from England were Brother and Sister Blair, Sisters Nixon, Mourant, Woodburn, and Robertson. Africa was represented by Brothers Udoh and Matthews from Nigeria.
"Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest branch (Ben L. Roden) of the high cedar (Branch Davidian Seventh-day Adventist Association), and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will PLANT it upon an high mountain (Mount of Olives) and eminent; In the mountain of the height of Israel will I PLANT it." Eze 17:22,23. Read all of verse 23 for future reference.
On Friday, October 1, at 12: 00 Noon, a very important prophetic event took place on the famed Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. In the presence of eleven Rabbis and the Branch group, Brother Ben L. Roden was re-interred on the rocky slopes of the Mount of Olives in a most solemn, impressive, and moving ceremony.
After a brief ceremony first at the mortuary, Brother Roden's body, wrapped according to the traditional Jewish custom, was taken to the Mount of Olives where the Principal and ten Rabbis conducted a beautiful and significant service. His body was transferred to the newly opened grave and covered with soil and stone to await the special resurrection.
Brother Roden passed away, in Temple, Texas, on the preparation day just before the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, 1978. He was buried in Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives on preparation day just before the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, 1982.
The Branch delegates enjoyed the Feast of Tabernacles Celebration, with a variety of international speakers, singing and dancing, and especially Prime Minister Begin's speech at the opening of the Feast." End quote.