FamilySearch reaches milestone
FamilySearch volunteers expect to have transcribed more than 325 million names by the end of 2009, just three years after the organization began its online indexing program.
The milestone was a number once thought impossible to reach in such a short period of time, according to a news release from FamilySearch. In 2006, a few thousand volunteers indexed only 11 million names. But thanks to continuing advances in technology and a growing number of volunteers — more than 100,000 across five continents — an estimated half-million individual names are indexed each day.
At that rate, Paul Nauta, FamilySearch public affairs manager, expects that 500 million names will be transcribed by the end of 2010. But there is still more work to be done.
"We are not catching up," Nauta said. "In preserving records alone, there are more records created in one year than we could ever film in years with current technology."
History museum seeks volunteers
The Church History Museum, 45 N. West Temple, is recruiting church members who would like to serve as museum tour guides, or docents. Museum tour guides give presentations about the museum's exhibits to prescheduled tour groups, take outreach programs into schools and provide gallery information services to museum visitors.
Applicants must be temple-worthy LDS Church members and willing to make a minimum two-year commitment. Docent tour guides generally serve one weekly shift of a minimum four hours in the gallery and another four hours serving on educational committees. Applicants will be interviewed, and those accepted into the docent program will receive callings as part-time church-service missionaries in the Family and Church History Mission.
Training classes will be Jan. 14-April 29, 2010. The museum also has a great need for docents with Spanish proficiency. Those interested in volunteering should call Nancy Andersen at the museum at 801-240-8253 to leave contact information no later than Oct. 1.
Concert to honor LDS composer
The late Dr. A. Laurence Lyon, noted LDS composer and teacher, will be honored Sept. 18 at a musical tribute presented by the Utah Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
In addition to more than 200 published compositions, 30 of which were recorded by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, he wrote the music for five LDS Primary songs and two hymns. Lyon served for more than 30 years as a professor of music at Western Oregon University.
The program will be 7:30 p.m., Sept. 18 at the Oak Hills Stake Center, 925 E. North Temple Drive, Provo. The public is invited to attend. Admission is free. For information visit www.uvago.org
LDS Film Festival is seeking entries
The LDS Film Festival is now accepting entries for the festival, which is Jan. 20-23, 2010, in Orem. The festival has several categories, including feature film exhibition, short film exhibition, special screenings, 24-hour filmmaking marathon and seven-page script competition. The deadline for entries is Dec. 1. For information, go to www.ldsfilmfestival.org.