British Library receives books
LONDON, ENGLANDSeveral significant Church books were presented to British Library director Brian Lang by Elder M. Russell Ballard during a recent visit to England.
Among the books presented were the Encyclopedia of Mormonism; and several other books introducing the Church. After the presentation, the library director showed Elder Ballard several rare books and manuscripts, including a copy of the Book of Mormon printed in 1840, a Greek translation of the New Testament dating back to the 3rd century and a Gutenberg Bible.
Elder Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve was in England to conduct training for the Europe North Area. While here, he also met with a religion writer for the London Times to discuss Church growth in the United Kingdom and explain the Church's position on various issues. He also visited Mary McLeod, executive director of the National Parenting & Family Institute, and presented her with a Family Home Evening Resource Manual and a copy of the proclamation on the family. He also visited Eileen Barker, chairman of INFORM, a government sponsored agency that provides information on religious groups within the United Kingdom to the government and the media.
A symbol of pioneer sacrifice
MANTI, UTAH
With the Manti Temple looming large in the background, a crowd of more than 400 people gathered in near-freezing temperatures at the base of Temple Hill on Nov. 21 to dedicate a monument and dugout in memory of the first settlers of Sanpete County who set up winter camp in the bitter cold and snow 150 years ago.
Elder Clayton Huber, Area Authority Seventy who presided over the service, noted that the dugout was built to symbolize the humility, faith, obedience and willingness of the pioneers to sacrifice for the building of the kingdom.
In reference to D&C 64, Manti Utah Stake Pres. Doug Dyreng said that just as great things proceed out of small things, so a large tree has grown from a small twig, symbolic of the first settlers.
Members of the Manti stake built the dugout and monument to be similar to dugouts used by the early settlers. The dedication of the commemorative plaque and monument at the site was the concluding highlight of a yearlong sesquicentennial celebration of the settling of the area.
Messages, songs of thanks
WHITTIER, CALIF.
Members of the Church here hosted a community Thanksgiving service Nov. 21, held in the Whittier California Stake center and attended by more than 500 people.
The Rev. Rex Jones, pastor of First Friends Church, welcomed the capacity crowd to the annual services. Members from area churches sang together in a combined choir and participated individually by singing anthems or citing scriptures. Gary Walburger, president of the Whittier California Stake, delivered a Thanksgiving message.
Readers from around the world are invited to submit news items and photos for this feature on Church events worldwide. Submissions should include a telephone number of someone who can be contacted for additional information. Items should be mailed to Church News, "From Around the World," attention Sarah Jane Weaver, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84110. Fax number: (801) 237-2524. Internet E-mail: sarah@desnews.com
-- CHURCH NEWS
WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 11, 1999
