Philippines/Micronesia Area: All-out effort for family week
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Stakes throughout this nation went all out to support the recent National Family Week in the Philippines, said Sister Jayanne M. Payne of the area Public Affairs Office. The week was proclaimed by Philippines Pres. Fidel Ramos after a meeting last spring with Elder Ben B. Banks of the Seventy and president of the Philippines/Micronesia Area.
Stake members helped promote the week in their local areas by wearing T-shirts, and distributing streamers and bumper stickers with such slogans as "Time spent with a child is never wasted," "Families that pray together stay together," and "No other success can compensate for failure in the home."
Schools and stakes sponsored essay and art contests, parades, family history fairs, a health fair, firesides, open houses and news conferences. Local Church leaders worked closely with local government leaders. Church spokesmen participated in radio and television talk shows. The weeklong events were given substantial coverage in the media.
Culminating the week's activities was the National Ideal Parents Day award ceremony. At the ceremony, 35 outstanding parents from throughout the Philippines were honored.
"I am amazed and gratified that the members of the Church have caught the vision of how we could build bridges of friendship and understanding within the community during National Family Week," said Elder Augusto A. Lim of the Seventy and first counselor in the area presidency.
Europe East Area: Six missionaries serve
VILLNIUS, LITHUANIA - In three years, the Church here has grown from one member to enough members to create three strong branches - two in Vilnius and one in Kaunas, said Robert A. Rees, Latvia Riga Mission director of public affairs.
Evidence of this growth are six full-time missionaries who have been called from Lithuania and are now serving in Moscow, Russia; Salt Lake City, Utah; Warsaw, Poland; and Provo, Utah.
"I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for my calling to serve a mission in Salt Lake City," said Sister Ilona Machinich, a guide on Temple Square. "I would like to tell visitors about this wonderful gospel that has brought so much joy into my life."
Europe North Area: Beliefs shared at open house
VALE, GUERNSEY - An open house held in Old Government House Hotel, a hotel converted from an early government building, attracted a number of residents of this Channel Island, located off the coast of France.
The open house, under the direction of Pres. Kay Whitmore of the England London South Mission, presented Church beliefs to people in the area. About 40 members live on this island. A favorable newspaper article in the Guernsey Press accompanied the open house.
Pacific Area: Leaders discuss families
WARWICK, AUSTRALIA - During his recent visit to Perth, Western Australia, for the inaugural conference of the Perth Australia Warwick Stake, Elder Lowell D. Wood met with the governor of Western Australia, Maj. Gen. Michael Jeffery; and the Right Rev. Barry Hickey, archbishop. Elder Lowell of the Seventy and president of the Pacific Area also met with the Vicar-General Monsignor Michael Keating of the Catholic Church.
In speaking with Elder Wood, Maj. Gen. Jeffery raised concerns about Western Australian families and the youth. He recommended that all religious groups work to defend the family from attack and to encourage the development of programs to help youth become worthwhile citizens.
Shortly after the stake was created, the Stake Relief Society sponsored an exhibition, "Our Families Are Forever." Members from seven wards set up exhibits that featured such topics as sharing ideas to help draw families closer together, and using heirlooms as decorating accents. Computers, microfiche, and a research staff were kept busy as members and guests were introduced to family history research.
South America South Area: Rabbi visits institute
SANTIAGO, CHILE - Rabbi Esteban Veghazi of Santiago visited the Church's Santiago Institute of Religion Nov. 5. He spoke at a commemorative meeting held in honor of Israel Prime Minister Yitzhat Rabin, who was assassinated Nov. 4.
At the meeting, Rabbi Veghazi emphasized the importance of all people working together to improve the conditions of society, and to create a just society and a better world.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Rabbi Veghazi was presented a copy of a video of the tour of Israel by the Tabernacle Choir. Rabbi Veghazi's wife, Ana, who accompanied him, was given a bouquet of roses.
North America Northwest Area: Article illuminates caring
EVERETT, WASH. - After working closely with Church directors of public affairs for 10 months, the Everett Herald published an in-depth article about the Church and the missionary program.
The article included a comprehensive look at the Church and its members, its beliefs and activities. Featured in the article was the family of Dan and Barbara Taylor, who explained the network of caring within their Bothell 2nd Ward, Bothell Washington Stake. The article also pointed to the rapid growth of the Church in international areas.
"It's a way of life," Brother Taylor told the reporter. "The commitment to the Savior
among Church membersT is very deep, and the Church provides a sacred mechanism for us to express that commitment to others."
North America Southwest Area: Laotians provide dinner
AMARILLO, TEXAS - Close ties between the Amarillo 3rd and 4th Wards and the Laotian community were continued recently. The Laotian community, made up of members and non-members, cooked a dinner and provided entertainment for the combined Relief Societies of the Amarillo 3rd and 4th wards, a group of about 150 women.
In the wards, the cultures of the Spanish-speaking members and the Laotians are often shared and the wards' events become international treats, said leaders.
In holding such events, closer ties were made between the members and the Laotian community. A recent stake division shifted the Asian members to the 4th Ward and the Spanish-speaking members to the 3rd Ward.
North America West Area: Cemetery information sought
HILO, HAWAII - A permanent monument to list the names of all who were buried in the Keaukaha LDS cemetery, adjacent to the entrance of the Onekahakaha Beach Park, is planned by members of the Keaukaha Ward.
Kahoalii Calles, ward project coordinator, said the monument will help provide information that was lost at the cemetery by a 1946 tsunami, or tidal wave, which washed away many of the markers in the cemetery.
"A concerted effort is being made to reach the residents and former residents of Keaukaha community who may have knowledge or records of persons buried at this cemetery," said Brother Calles. Those with information may write to him at 390 Desha Ave., Hilo, Hawaii 96720.
Utah South Area: Youth work at family history
PROVO, UTAH - Youth of the Edgemont 21st Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont South Stake, spent a recent youth conference doing family history work. The young men and women entered their personal pedigrees into computers, then did name extraction. During their efforts, some of the young men earned computer and family history merit badges.
The project was done to help the youth prepare themselves for the coming opening of the Mount Timpanogos Temple, according to leaders. Although not in the new temple's district, the ward will still receive blessings at its completion, said Bishop William W. Winder Jr. The local youth conference also included a nearby water-skiing activity and testimony meeting.