- 1944-10-02 — Artemus Lamb arrived at his pioneer post in Punta Arenas, Chile, located on the Strait of Magellan and the southernmost large city in the world. He met with Marcia Steward, another pioneer who, because of her gender, was deemed unsuitable for this post. He was also introduced to Esteban Canales, a young Chilean Bahá'í who had been assigned to help Artemus with his Spanish.
His arrival here had been an adventure. The Argentine ship that he had boarded in Los Angeles had burned and sank in Acapulco while he was ashore and he lost all his personal belongings. The shipping company sent him to Mexico City where they returned the cost of his ticket and left him stranded. Travel was difficult during the War years. After 5 days of travel via DC-3, stopping every night, he reached Santiago where, after a delay, he secured a passage to Punta Arenas that took another 5 days.
On the 4th of April, 1945, he got a telegram from the Guardian, advising him that he expected an Assembly would be formed at Ridván. At this time there were only two declared Bahá'ís in Punta Arenas with 8 contacts who were assisting them with their weekly radio program production. Artemus and Esteban met with the contacts and explained the situation. To their delight all agreed to enroll. [The Beginnings of the Bahá'í Faith in Latin America: Some Remembrances by Artemus Lamb] - 1945-04-21 — The first Local Spiritual Assembly was established in Punta Arenas, Chile. See the interesting story of how this goal was achieved.
[The Beginnings of the Bahá'í Faith in Latin America: Some Remembrances by Artemus Lamb]
- 1951-04-21 —
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Central America, Mexico and the Antilles was elected at an international convention in Panama City. Those elected were: Srta. Raquel J. Francois, Mrs. Cora H. Oliver, Srta. Elena Marsella, Srta. Natalia Chavez, James V. Facey
Srta. Zenayda Jurado C, Mrs. Louise Caswell, Dr. David Escalante, Artemus Lamb. [BW12:60; Bahá'í News No 244 June 1951 p12]
- 25 delegates representing 12 countries were present at the convention. [BW12:60]
- For a photo of those attending see Bahá'í Historical Facts.
- The countries of Central America were Belize, Costa Rica (confirmed) El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
- 1998-01-17 — The passing of Artemus Dwight Lamb (b. 20 January 1905 in Iowa, United States, d. San Salvador, El Salvador). He was buried in Cementerio Jardin Antiguo Cuscatlan, El Salvador. [Find a grave]
He enrolled in the Bahá’í Faith in 1939 and left the United States in 1944 to pioneer to Punta Arenas, Chile, and later moved to Costa Rica. Mr. Lamb lived in Central America and Mexico for the rest of his life. From 1951 to 1961 he served first on the National Spiritual Assembly of Central America and the Antilles and then on the National Spiritual Assembly of Central America; from 1963 to 1968 he served as an Auxiliary Board member for the region; and from 1968 to 1985 he served on the Continental Board of Counsellors for the Americas. He wrote many booklets and pamphlets and in 2003 George Ronald published his much-loved book, The Odyssey of the Soul.
At the time of his passing the Universal House of Justice described him as “dearly-loved,” “steadfast, noble-hearted, self-effacing” and recalled his “sterling achievements” in Latin America with “keen admiration.” [BW26p273-4]
See a short biography of Artemus Lamb written by Quentin Farrand, an Auxiliary Board Member in El Salvador at the time of his passing.
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