THE COMING OF THE END OF AN ERA

 THE COMING OF THE END OF AN ERA

 

For the past 25 years, we have had the privilege of obtaining, safeguarding, and distributing a great number of RLDS books.  That activity has been a business, a ministry, a service, and a real joy.  But a recent health problem involving the pain and malfunction of my legs has served as a harbinger to convince us that we cannot continue this activity forever.  We trust that the leg problem is temporary.  However, we see the need to develop plans to transfer the “Oldbookman” activity to a responsible party now while we are still available to help with the transition.

 

At present, we have an inventory of about 20,000 used RLDS books, including hardcover and softcover books, coil-bound materials, pamphlets, brochures, etc.  We want to transfer these used materials to someone who can continue this ministry for the next 25 years or so.  We also have another 5,000 new books in the RLDS heritage, which we expect to wholesale and retail to customers.

 

NOTE:  We expect to keep the business going during the foreseeable future.  Customers can continue to order books from Paul V. Ludy until notified otherwise.  But the delivery may be a tad slower.

 

Our method of operating during the past 25 years has included maintaining a website—RLDSBOOKS. BLOGSPOT.COM—and receiving inquiries and orders by e-mail and phone, mailing books, delivering in the Independence, Missouri, area, and selling books through displays at conferences and reunions.

 

We suggest that the new “responsible party” could be a husband-wife team, an extended family, or a few close friends working together.  We do not anticipate that a new “responsible party” would need to conduct business exactly the same way we have.  The important thing is to make books available to the Saints at fair prices, to give good service, and to enjoy the opportunities to minister in this way.

 

If you are interested in this endeavor, here are a few items to consider:

 

1.  Do you have a background in the Restoration, a love for the gospel and its resources, and an ability to interact and minister to people in various Restoration organizations—and sometimes beyond?

 

2.  Can you do the work without trying to live on income produced by selling used books?  You will never get rich in this endeavor; that is not the purpose.

 

3.  Do you have some facility for storing the materials—maybe 1,000-2,000 square feet—in a dry basement, garage, or other building close to your home?

 

4.  Are you willing to learn enough about the books in your care that you can help customers who want to know what various books are about?

 

5.  Are you willing to give yourself in service—perhaps at inconvenient times—to take phone calls, answer questions, search for books, etc.—realizing that the customer is not a distraction but the reason for your being involved in this endeavor?

 

We invite any interested persons to call immediately to discuss possibilities.  May all our thoughts and our plans be to the glory of God!

 

Paul V. Ludy   816-210-8450