For five years, the "People Who Made a Difference" feature provided a way for members to tell of those whose unselfish and caring acts of service made a difference in the lives of others. Such accounts are legion, and many were shared during the time the feature was published in the Church News.
Many heartwarming examples of members serving on their own or in their Church or community assignments were published. They told of days brightened, burdens lifted, assistance given and lives affected because someone cared and went about - quietly and usually without fanfare - to make a difference.The feature began June 3, 1989, with the account of Brent and Denise Bawden of the Price Utah Stake, who were in charge of an annual high school graduation party to which all high school-age youth were invited. After 10 years, more than 400 young people were attending, the number of "keggers" were diminishing, and there were few cases of drinking and driving.
The last article in the series ran last week, with the account of Marjorie Eliason of the Placentia California Stake brightening the birthdays of family members and loved ones - more than 230 of them! Since 1944 she has unfailingly sent birthday cards to "stay in touch with others and to let them know that she sends them her love."
Stories such as these exemplify that people do matter. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17.)
