Asia North Area Missionary couple honored
BANGKOK, THAILAND - Members of the Bangkok (English) Branch recently held an appreciation night for Elder Fred and Sister Donna Hodson, who completed their service in the Thailand Bangkok Mission. They served in the office during the day and helped with teaching and reactivation in the evenings.During their service, the Hodsons helped bring in several new members, and reactivate others. Some branch members went to the temple as a result of their encouragement and support.
"The Hodsons were always willing to teach classes or pinch hit when needed in the branch," said branch member Jeanne Decker Griffiths.
"They were great missionaries and touched many lives."
Brazil Area Two tons of clothing donated
SAO BERNARDO, BRAZIL - When Mrs. Eda Demarchi, wife of the mayor of Sao Bernardo, appealed to the public for donations of winter clothing for the homeless and poor, the Relief Society of the Sao Bernardo Brazil Stake responded.
When the collection was completed, the Relief Society sisters invited the mayor's wife to the stake center where they presented her with two tons of clothing.
In addition, they sang several hymns for her and invited her to attend a Relief Society meeting.
Mrs. Demarchi responded that she was touched with the large donation, and thrilled to be invited to attend the meeting, said DeMar Stanicia, Brazil director of public affairs.
South America South Area Leader bid farewell
SANTIAGO, CHILE - A group of members met to bid farewell to Elder Horacio Tenorio of the Seventy, who for the past two years has served as first counselor in the area presidency, said Rodolfo Acevedo, Chile director of public affairs.
Elder Tenorio told the Chilean Saints that it had been an honor for him and his family to serve among them and added, "I know you have a beautiful and great future ahead."
He encouraged the members to follow the counsel of the leaders, and to continue to prepare their youth to serve full-time missions.
North America Central Area Gift of shade appreciated
DELTA, COLO. - A row of 18 new shade trees along a popular baseball field will bring comfort to many spectators during the summer, thanks to the efforts of about 60 members of the Delta Ward, Montrose Colorado Stake.
The stake presidency has encouraged wards in the stake to have community service projects.
The idea for the project was the result of members noticing how uncomfortable the spectators were. Bishop Keith F. Lewis and A. Clair Baldwin, high priests group leader, offered to plant and maintain trees if the school district would provide the trees. An agreement was reached and the high priests dug holes for the 15- to 20-foot trees. The elders planted them, the young women watered them, the young men built supports, and the Primary and Relief Society cleaned the site afterward.
North America Northwest Area Service strengthens friendships
BOTHELL, WASH. - Non-LDS and members worked side by side to clean the Pioneer Cemetery in this community, a project recently organized by Bill and Karen Jensen of the Bothell 2nd Ward.
In addition, full-time missionaries in the area donate service hours to the local food banks in Lynnwood and Bothell, reported Daniel Baker, Bothell stake director of public affairs.
He said that the Church's participation in the Pastoral Care Committee of the district hospital, which is a link between the hospital and the religious community, has also helped develop many friendships.
North America Northeast Area World's largest milkshake
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - Young Men and Young Women in the Grand Valley Ward, Grand Rapids Michigan Stake, found the perfect way to cool off during a recent heat wave with oppresive humidity.
The youth recently made a 250-gallon vanilla milkshake - touted as the world's largest milkshake - outside the Church meetinghouse. They then sold individual milkshakes for $1, with proceeds going to help the local Ronald McDonald House.
Ice cream and milk were made available by local companies at a significantly reduced price, and cups and straws were donated by a local restaurant. It took 220 gallons of ice cream and 70 gallons of milk to make the concoction, which was mixed using a 21/2-foot-long mixer with an eight-inch propeller.
North America Southwest Area Musical attracts 2,000
ST. JOHNS, ARIZ. - Authentic covered wagons and handcarts were used in an original musical production, "Take Me Home," recently staged by the St. Johns Arizona Stake. The musical told the pioneer story of Jedediah M. Grant's wagon company crossing the plains.
Original music by Wanda West Palmer was performed by a 60-voice choir. The script was written by Joey and LaKay Grant, based on his family history. Some 2,000 people attended the musical.
The St. Johns stake was created in 1887 and has celebrated the arrival of the pioneers for the past 115 years.
North America Southeast Area Cemetery cleaned
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARK. - More than 100 volunteers from the Young Men and Young Women of the North Little Rock Arkansas Stake cleaned a 101-year-old cemetery that had been neglected for several years.
The Thomas Cemetery, which is the oldest cemetery in the city of North Little Rock, is located on private property. Its owners couldn't be located by the city officials. Pres. Craig Moline, second counselor in the stake presidency, learned that the cemetery's fate was in question unless it was cleaned, so he invited the youth to help.
The youth removed several loads of trash, weeds and bushes from the site. After the project was completed, Mayor Patrick Hays issued a proclamation honoring the youth for their service.
North America West Area Host Mexican delegation
LA VERNE, CALIF. - Members of the Pomona 2nd Spanish branch helped the city host a delegation from Acambara, Mexico, - La Verne's sister city. Under the direction of Pres. Jorge Molina, branch members prepared and served a traditional Mexican dinner at the stake center to the delegation from Mexico and the mayor and other city officials from La Verne.
Branch members also provided traditional Mexican and American entertainment afterward, receiving a standing ovation from those who attended. Coordinator of the event was Jeff Allred, Young Men president of the La Verne 1st Ward, who is assistant city manager.
La Verne Stake Pres. Jan Sine said, "We always appreciate an opportunity to be actively involved in the life of the city. We want the city officials to know not only who we are but also that we are available when they need us. This is one way we can build bridges of friendship within our community."
Utah North Area Anti-pornography leader visits
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - Rev. Jerry Kirk, president of the National Coalition Against Pornography, met with Church officials here about developing an educational effort to help people understand the serious negative impact of pornography on society.
"Pornography is a major cause, not the only cause, but a major cause of many of the marital problems in our country, the destruction of marriages and families," he said. "It is a major influence in the teen pregnancy problem.
"The behavior of
promiscuous teensT is out of control and pornography has had a significant role in that. . . . What we have is a public health and safety problem. Something has to be done that can help solve that problem."
Utah South Area Early mayor honored
PROVO, UTAH - Some 200 descendants of Andrew Hunter Scott, a former mayor of Provo, gathered Aug. 14 to honor their forebear and dedicate a recently restored 11-foot monument at his gravesite. The former mayor, who served two missions, was a member of the Nauvoo Legion and was captain of an immigrant train of 300 Mormon pioneers.
Provo City Mayor George Stewart spoke to the descendants, and noted that Scott was responsible for construction of the first Utah County Courthouse, the Provo Tabernacle, canyon roads, bridges and dams and made many other contributions.
"Many times he was called upon to do extraordinary things," said Mark F. Lund, a descendant.
