| 傳道的渴望 |
劉文強 有一位多年前曾經在香港擔任全職傳教士的兄弟，在2006年8月偕同太太由加拿大回港，在聖殿擔任全職傳教士。鑑於他們對傳道工作的熱忱，我特地以利阿賀拿編輯的身份採訪他們。 我在2007年1月12日到聖殿訪問沈慶俊長老及沈梁惠珍姊妹。以下是採訪的內容－ 沈姊妹於1977年在觀塘的第七支會洗禮，1990年在香港擔任全職傳教士，當時戴國源會長剛巧在香港擔任傳道部會長。 沈長老於1962年在元朗分會洗禮，加入教會。他受到福音的薰陶，在行為和品格上有很大的改變，渴望跟別人分享從福音所獲得的快樂和祝福。1966年，他成為全職傳教士，在當時隸屬南遠東傳道部的香港服務。 完成傳道工作後，沈長老覺得自己學識不足，所以在1971年遠赴美國的楊百翰大學夏威夷分校就讀，並且用了四年時間完成大學課程。2003年，他和梁惠珍姊妹在香港聖殿結婚後，便移居加拿大的溫哥華，經營地產業務。 雖然在加拿大溫哥華生活，但他們亦擔任美國西雅圖聖殿的教儀工作者。每逢星期一，他們會駕車六小時，從溫哥華到西雅圖聖殿服務和執行教儀，到星期三才駕車回家。儘管路途遙遠，行程頗為艱辛，但他們很高興能夠在聖殿服務。 沈兄弟夫婦在聖殿認識了很多忠信的教友。這些教友待人親切有善，內心充滿基督的愛，他們的榜樣亦激勵了沈兄弟夫婦做聖殿傳教士的渴望和熱忱。他們分享以下兩個在西雅圖聖殿所獲得的經驗－ 一） 西雅圖聖殿附近住了很多年邁的教友，他們身體衰弱，甚至不良於行，但他們仍風雨不改，堅持準時到達聖殿執行教儀，為教友提供服務，因為他們知道聖殿教儀對 教友及其祖先的重要性，每個人都必需執行藉以來加先知而來的聖殿教儀，才能夠得到永恆家庭的祝福。這些年邁的教友渴望為別人服務的精神，真教人敬佩。 二） 在西雅圖有一位教友，他在一次交通意外中受傷，只有頭部和手可以移動，其他肢體都失去行動的能力，需要終生坐輪椅。但福音的真理和永生的盼望，令他保持樂 天豁達的性格。每星期有三天，他會自行駕車到聖殿執行教儀，在聖殿遇到任何人，他都會開懷地展露笑顏。由於他曾經在台灣傳道，通曉國語，所以遇到中國籍的 教友，他會以國語跟他們寒暄。一年內，他就代替死者做了四百多個恩道門的教儀。他的苦難，不但為死者帶來祝福，更堅強了無數教友的心靈，及見證了福音為世 人帶來的力量和平安。而他的身上散發出基督的光輝，正如腓立比書1：20：「……無論是生、是死、總叫基督在我身上照常顯大。」 四 十年前，沈長老在香港傳道期間，認識了多位傳教士，包括李均定長老（Elder Lee H. Van Dam）、軒子聯長老（Elder Donald Ray Hinton）、高約翰長老（Elder John M. Aki）、盧大衛長老（Elder Elder David L. Lowe）、古長老（Elder Charles Goo）、詹長老及詹姊妹（Elder and Sister Jerry James）、石長老及石姊妹（Elder and Sister Keith Sadler），他們均在香港完成傳道工作還鄉，但多年後，分別在不同的時間，他們都返回香港擔任傳道部會長或夫婦傳教士。沈慶俊長老不但佩服這些兄弟對 傳道工作的熱誠，更激發了他作出提早退休，再投身傳道服務的決定。儘管他的業務伙伴規勸他再遲五年退休，就可以在近年蓬勃的地產業務上賺取豐厚的利潤，但 沈長老卻不為所動，仍堅持要急流勇退，適時為神服務。 四十年後，沈長老在港再擔任傳教士，仍不忘當年傳道的寶 貴經驗。他當年曾經擔任深水埗分會的會長，對該地區有特別深厚的感情。由於六十年代，香港社會較為動盪，他跟外籍同伴出外傳道時，有巿民會以為他們是便衣 警察。由於他專注於傳道事工，所以經常獲得聖靈的指引，並感到在動亂不安的環境中，有聖靈同在，保護他們的安全。沈長老更牢牢記著當年擔任使徒的興格萊戈 登會長對香港傳教士的囑咐：「你們要為將來有更多地區開放，作好傳道的準備。在適當的時間，你們會再獲指派擔任傳道的工作。」 沈 長老作為聖殿傳教士，對教約44：4：「並且將有很多人歸信，因此你們能獲得按照世人的法律組織起來的力量；」有很大的見證，因為他確實見到教會在很多國 家和地區按當地的法律組織起來，把福音傳給了萬民，有很多人歸向基督。他亦見證興格萊戈登會長獲得聖靈的啟示，決定興建中國香港聖殿及擬訂多用途建築物的 圖則，確實令香港和附近地區的教友蒙福。 沈長老感謝戴國源會長和戴姊妹的領導和指引，讓他了解作為一位聖殿傳教士，就是神的僕人，要好好接待到聖殿參與教儀的教友，視他們如貴賓，令他們在聖殿中洗滌煩憂，提升靈性，得到平安和喜樂，並且使祖先和子孫的心靈和關係更加緊密。 沈 長老和沈姊妹覺得擔任夫婦傳教士，一起做神的事工，有機會為同胞服務，讓每個人都能接受這真實且美好的福音，是一項很大的祝福，並不是犧牲。傳道事工令他 們充滿了快樂，生命變得更有意義和更豐盛。他們決定做全職傳教士亦是回應興格萊戈登會長在總會教友大會上的呼籲，先知鼓勵年長的教友擔任夫婦傳教士，及經 常去聖殿。他更應許每位參與教儀後，離開聖殿的教友，都能成為更好的人。 最後，沈長老夫婦勉勵香港的教友，應 該適當地放下繁重的工作，多到神之家參與教儀，這樣必定能夠紓解壓力，提升靈性，獲取更大的祝福。聖殿的祝福是能使我們更美好，這神聖的福音計劃使家人的 關係可以超越死亡而永遠延續，及促成人的不死和永生（致全世界文告和摩西書1：39）。 謹此多謝沈長老夫婦接受利阿賀拿的訪問，願教友都能夠從他們的經驗和分享中獲益。■ 圖片由沈慶俊長老提供：
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Friday, January 30, 2009
傳道的渴望
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Praise to the Man by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
There are three beautiful songs performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I tried dozen times to put them on my blog, unfortunately it doesn't work, so please visit the following link to watch the MV and enjoy it. http://byub.org/choir/
Preach My Gospel
'Preach My Gospel' not a one-time resource
Published: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009
PROVO, UTAH
As stated in its introduction penned by the First Presidency, the Preach My Gospel missionary manual is to help missionaries become better prepared, more spiritually mature and more persuasive in teaching.
However, a challenge is getting young missionaries to translate a purpose into an action and getting them not only reading and studying in Preach My Gospel but returning there, said Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander of the Seventy during a training seminar session for new missionary training center presidents and visitors center directors and their wives.
"From their first MTC experience, [the missionaries] read it once and think they are done. This is a complex book — it cannot be understood in just one reading," he said. "Every word, every phrase has meaning."
Teaching by the Spirit is not merely opening one's mouth and speaking. "When a missionary teaches the things to which the Holy Ghost may bear witness, the missionary is teaching by the Spirit — that's when the miracles take place," he said. "That's a very powerful thing, and it takes a lot of preparation to get there."
Dennis B. Neuenschwander
Elder Neuenschwander highlighted the chapter titles — all questions to foster learning — in addition to the questions in "Consider This" boxes and references in "Scripture Study" boxes throughout each chapter.
"Don't shy away from these scripture boxes — they will help them understand the scriptures and will continually come back to the questions that they are designed to answer," he said. "You will help missionaries in developing their educational pursuit as well as understanding the scriptures."
A danger is missionaries may focus on and memorize Preach My Gospel rather than have it direct them to the scriptures, Elder Neuenschwander said.
"If Preach My Gospel doesn't get missionaries into the scriptures, then it has failed," he said.
Elder Neuenschwander also underscored the importance of keeping a study journal, as stated in the manual.
Added Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy: "Take notes – it forces you into a territory, a deeper realm of revelation."
Shining moments: Touching lives
Shining moments: Touching lives
The first wagons of pioneer settlers arrived in Oregon's Willamette Valley in 1846. Just a few years later, in 1859, a Catholic convent was opened in downtown Portland and began accepting orphans to meet the needs of children who had lost parents to the hardships of the day.That orphanage, now an independent, non-profit organization called ChristieCare and located on the banks of the Willamette River in Lake Oswego, Ore., is dedicated to providing treatment for emotionally disturbed children. It focuses on teaching independent living skills, social skills development and education or vocational training.
The Lake Oswego Oregon Stake public affairs council was looking in June 2008 for a service project for members of the stake and discussed several options. The desire was to do something that could touch the lives of individuals in the community. One of the ideas was to help the Christie School.
When Lynne Saxton, director of the school, was asked if stake members could help in the way of a service project, she was excited.
Jim Zupancic of the stake high council reported: "Lynne said that my call was an answer to their prayers. Their funding from the state had just been cut again and they were in the middle of budget review, not knowing how they would do some of the needed projects."
The Christie School staff created and prioritized a list of projects that needed to be done and met with leaders from the stake. Arthella Starke was called to lead the project and quickly organized several teams to complete the targeted projects.
There were about 350 workers on Saturday, Oct. 18, and a total of about 400 volunteers including the seamstresses who made curtains for the school the previous Wednesday.
The projects included clearing blackberry bushes, pruning shrubs, raking leaves, spreading bark dust, trimming trees, washing windows, detailing vans, hauling furniture and painting approximately 60 dorm rooms.
Christie School representatives said they had never seen that level of support for the organization and were extremely thankful and felt blessed by being able to spend the morning and afternoon with the members of the Church.
The stake is now planning for its next annual service project to help another group or organization. — John Cheney, Lake Oswego Oregon Stake public affairs director
Living by the scriptures
Living by the scriptures
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Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual, and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. — Mosiah 2:41
In April 2008 my father was sick with cancer and I was worried knowing that he didn't have much time left. I had been with him at his home for two weeks helping take care of my parents, but needed to return to my family, so I left that morning thinking that I would be back to see my dad in a week.
The next night my sisters called to tell me my Dad wasn't doing well and put him on the phone so I could say goodbye. It was really hard on me; I knew how much I would miss him. My sisters called at 2 a.m. to report that Dad had passed away.
That morning we got up as usual and I fixed breakfast for my son before he left for early morning seminary. It was so hard for me to tell my son that Grandpa had died during the night. I knew how much he loved his grandpa.
As in the last few years every morning we would have breakfast and would read President Gordon B. Hinckley's book, Stand a Little Taller. Each day is a scripture and a quote by President Hinckley. As I turned to the day to read, the scripture was Mosiah 2:41 and the title was, "A Better Life."
Dad had lived that great life. He was such a great example to his family. He had kept the commandments and held out faithful to the end. This scripture was such a comfort and blessing to me and my son that day.
I will never forget the peace I felt knowing that my dad is in a better place and not suffering from the pains of cancer. We continue to read from the book every morning, enjoying the wonderful gift of the little tender mercies that the Lord blesses each of us with.
— Jeri Walton, Riverton 2nd Ward, Riverton Wyoming Stake
View Points--You Are Not Alone
One day several years ago President James E. Faust, who was then second counselor in the First Presidency, spent a few moments in personal conversation with an individual he had known for many years who had stopped by his office. After a business matter was taken care of, they engaged in personal conversation. At one point, knowing that his visitor lived alone and had no family members nearby, President Faust asked, "How are you doing?"
The visitor said, "Quite well. I stay busy with work and Church. There's always something to do."
President Faust said nothing. The visitor paused a moment, sensing that President Faust was waiting for further comment, and then added, "I have to admit that I feel quite lonely, even though I have a rewarding career and enjoy my Church calling. I go to a lot of places and see a lot of people, but I feel that I'm all alone in the world."
With his trademark smile that communicated kindness, compassion and understanding, President Faust said, "But you are not alone. You are never really alone."
A telephone call at that moment brought the conversation to an abrupt end. But enough had been communicated. President Faust's words hit their mark and, to this day, reverberate in the visitor's memory much as sound resonates long after the last strike on a tuning fork: "You are not alone."
President Faust was keenly aware of the loneliness that permeates the lives of many members of the Church, especially those who haven't married, are widowed or divorced. In the early 1970s, when he was an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve, he helped introduce the Melchizedek Priesthood MIA, a special interest program for Church members over 30 years of age who were single for one reason or another. As a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency, he often counseled them in general, area and stake conferences and firesides.
At a meeting during the Toronto Canada Area Conference in 1979, he directed his message primarily to single sisters of the Church and emphasized "potentials and horizons rather than any supposed limitations."
He said that when he was president of the International Mission he reviewed the tithing sent by members of the Church throughout the world not living in organized missions or stakes. Each year, he noticed that every month an envelope and tithing contribution came from Lucille Sargent, a Latter-day Saint living in what was then Peking, China. He learned that she had been in the Foreign Service of the United States for more than 20 years, living in remote areas, most of the time alone. She was not married.
There were no other Latter-day Saints in Peking. When President Faust and his wife, Ruth, finally met Sister Sargent, Sister Faust asked her how she managed to maintain her spiritual strength when she was all alone. Sister Sargent replied, "I prayed aloud every day. . . . On Sunday I would sing some hymns and pray aloud and read the scriptures." She said that when she was considering her assignments, she would tell her supervisors, "I can take these difficult posts. I have special help."
Sister Sargent lived away from family, friends and fellow Saints, but she knew she was not alone.
Serving others, whether in the Church, community, extended family or among peers and friends, is a principal way to dispel the feeling of being alone. The service need not be what President Faust described as "the showcase variety involving notoriety and publicity," but the Christlike quality of service on a one-to-one basis.
"Many single members of the Church feel that their bitterness overflows, and they wrongfully think that this cup passes others by," President Faust said. "In His first words to the people on this continent, Jesus of Nazareth Himself poignantly spoke of the bitter cup the Father had given Him (see 3 Nephi 11:11). Every married or single soul has some bitterness to swallow. Parents having a child who loses his way come to know a sorrow that defies description. A woman whose husband is cruel or insensitive can break her heart every day. Having drunk the bitter cup, however, there comes a time when one must accept the situation as it is and reach upward and outward. . . .
"I have now lived long enough to know that, whatever our situation, our troubles melt and disappear like frost in the morning sun when we dwell upon our blessings rather than our disappointments. No matter how pessimistic one's view may become of the times and the seasons, we can always fall back on special friendship, on faithful, personal love, and on simple, true dealings in our own personal lives" ("Married or Single: Look beyond Yourself," Ensign, March 1980).
President Faust's words still ring true: "You are not alone."
Church News
Church News
Global impact
By Scott TaylorDeseret News
Published: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009
The numbers for the Jan. 13-15, 2009, training seminar for new Missionary Training Center presidents and visitors center directors and their wives seemed staggering — nearly 40 different addresses and instructional sessions, crammed into 36 hours, spread over three days and two cities and involving two members of the Quorum of the Twelve, another half-dozen members of the Quorums of the Seventy and a host of participants from the Church's Missionary Department.
All that for 18 couples, just days before they were to begin their two-year assignments to lead at missionary training centers or visitors centers throughout the world.
But Elder Richard G. Hinckley of the Seventy, who serves as executive director of the Missionary Department, said the seminar's impact will exceed well beyond the 18 new presidents and directors and their wives.
"It's a great opportunity for impact when you look at the millions, literally, of visitors to these visitors centers and the tens of thousands of missionaries — young and old — who will come through the MTCs during the next two years," he said.
Highlights included instruction from and interaction with Elders L. Tom Perry and Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve who, along with Bishop Richard C. Edgley, first counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, comprise the Missionary Executive Council.
Joining them were Elder Hinckley and four other members of the Seventy who serve as the department's assistant executive directors — Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Elder Daryl H. Garn, Elder Clate W. Mask Jr. and Elder Lynn G. Robbins. Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy also presented a luncheon address.
The annual seminars, Elder Hinckley said, achieve a number of purposes: To draw upon the combined energy and enthusiasm of the newly called leaders, to provide them an understanding for unified and consistent application of established policies and to provide interactions with members of the Quorum of the Twelve and other General Authorities.
And the participants were seeing those purposes fulfilled.
Photo By Mark Beck
Elder Farrell M. Smith, the new Oakland Temple Visitors Center director, is joined by his wife, Diane, left, and a sister missionary, center, in meeting a visitor during a seminary training session on site at Temple Square.
"It was not only educational but spiritual, and we've been able to establish a camaraderie with the other directors and MTC presidents," said President Michael H. Holmes, who doubles now as both director of the Temple Square Visitors Center and president of the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission.
Added Sister Marian Holmes: "We were taught that these (visitors) centers are teaching centers. They're designed to find people and bring them to Christ."
Elder Parley R. Baldwin and Sister Cathy Baldwin, called to serve at the Cove Fort Visitors Center, spoke of meeting Elder Holland after his address, with Sister Baldwin asking if they could shake his hand. "He stood up and he embraced us, he hugged us — he really hugged us," she said. "I started to cry, and he wiped away my tear with the back of his hand and said, 'Don't cry, Sister Baldwin, Cove Fort's not that far away — and I'll come visit you."
Photo By Mark Beck
During a seminar training session, President Michael H. Holmes, the new director of the Temple Square Visitors Center and president of the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission, and his wife, Marian, visit with a pair of sister missionaries.
The application of instruction comes later on-site, with the new presidents and directors and their wives already having begun their new assignments.
"The hope is that we give them enough information that they can later reference it when they see the context," Elder Hinckley said, adding that while the seminar instructions are wonderful, uplifting and spiritual, they aren't fully understood until the new leaders are in place and begin serving at the MTCs and visitors centers. "Then they look back on these seminars and say, 'Oh, now I get it — that's what they meant.' "
© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company
Witnesses to history and a sense of hope
Church News
Witnesses to history and a sense of hope
By Scott TaylorDeseret News
Published: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009
From the imposing ceremony of President Barack Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to the religious solemnity of the Jan. 21 National Prayer Service, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve came away from their two-day visit to frigid Washington, D.C., warmed by witnessing not only a historic national event but also examples of graciousness, hope and unity.
AP
Barack Obama, left, joined by his wife Michelle, second from left, and daughters Sasha, third from left, and Malia, takes the oath of office from chief Justice John Roberts to become the 44th president of the United States.
President Uchtdorf — who was accompanied by his wife, Harriet — and Elder Ballard were assigned by President Thomas S. Monson to represent the Church at the inaugural events.
President Monson said, "It is always an honor for the Church to be represented at the inauguration of a new president. We send our best wishes to President Obama and pray for the blessings of a loving Father in Heaven to be upon him and his administration."
Courtesy President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Elder M. Russell Ballard stand with the U.S. Capitol in the background prior to the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 20. Pres Uchtdorf and Elder Ballard represented the Church and President Thomas S. Monson at inaugural events, including the National Prayer Service, Jan. 21.
Helping to arrange for and host President Uchtdorf's and Elder Ballard's visit was Elder Ralph W. Hardy, an Area Seventy in the North America Northeast Area.
Elder M. Russell Ballard with President Dieter F. Uchtdorf at nation's Capitol prior to inauguration of Barack Obama.
They were seated close to the presidential stage for the inauguration and near President Obama and his contingent for the prayer service.
"It was very appropriate to have two apostles of the Lord right here at this inauguration, where you have an African-American becoming the president of this great nation," said President Uchtdorf, contacted while in the nation's capital with Elder Ballard by the Church News and after their return to Utah.
Both President Uchtdorf and Elder Ballard used adjectives like "marvelous," "wonderful" and "overwhelming" in describing their experiences.
"This new administration is sending a message of hope and change to the world," President Uchtdorf said. "We know there is no greater message to all the world than the message of the Church and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I only hope this historic moment will open doors and hearts to the gospel message of hope and change."
AP
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, left, and Elder M. Russell Ballard stand outside the Washington National Cathedral after the National Prayer Service Jan. 21. The two attended President Barack Obama's inauguration the day before.
Both left the prayer service with a sense the people of America are going to unite behind the new president and his administration and that we need to pray for him. Elder Ballard said, "We need to exercise our prayers and help him accomplish the great objectives that he has set."
One such objective catching Elder Ballard's attention was President Obama's pronouncing an importance on responsibility. "People being responsible for their own lives and responsible for others who need help — I like that theme very much and hope the whole country can take hold of that because it can make a vast difference," Elder Ballard said.
AP
A general view of the National Prayer Service attended by President Barack Obama in Washington DC.
He pondered aloud how an emphasis on responsibility could have a powerful difference with the youth, who will be the future leaders of the nation and their own faiths. "That was great," said Elder Ballard of the president's "responsibility" objective "and I hope he holds on to it."
Courtesy President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, with his wife, Harriet.
At the inauguration, the Uchtdorfs found themselves seated next to an African-American couple. "When the oath was taken, this lady next to her [Sister Uchtdorf] just embraced her and gave her a kiss on the cheek with tears running down her face," said President Uchtdorf.
He added that the emotions he sensed over the two days were not simply the result of the massive numbers witnessing the event nor the historic moment of the United States' first African-American president, but rather a sense of how the transfer of power displayed in a free democracy can bring hope that even great challenges may be overcome.
AP
Crowds gather along the National Mall during the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
The crowd, President Uchtdorf said, was the largest he has ever been in. Elder Ballard noted it was reported that more than 1.5 million people were at the inauguration ceremony.
AP
President George Bush, center right, and first lady Laura Bush, center left, welcome President-elect Barack Obama, far left, and his wife Michelle Obama, right, on the North Portico of the White House.
"We could feel the deep emotion around us — we were surrounded by people of all colors, of all creeds and of all languages," President Uchtdorf said. "It was a great experience we had — to see a unity there that I hope will last on and continue throughout the years of this administration."
President Uchtdorf and Elder Ballard joined Muslims, Jews, people of different Christian denominations and other religions at the prayer service. "We felt we were in the right place with all these whom we call brothers and sisters," President Uchtdorf said, "to pray for this presidency, for this administration, and with them to pray for all the governments around the world to bring again peace and prosperity and unity to all countries."
AP
From left, First Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden, former President Bill Clinton, and Secretary of State nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton attend the inaugural prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington, on Jan. 21, 2009.
President Uchtdorf spoke of the graciousness shown by presidential candidates at the conclusion of the November 2008 elections and the graciousness shared between outgoing President George W. Bush and incoming President Obama leading up to the inauguration. He called it an example of democracy to all and representative of the kind of efforts put forth by the Church.
AP
Crowds gather along the National Mall during the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
"That is a very important example to all of us and what we as a Church try to do — reaching out to the one and to all, helping to bridge differences, helping to bring the wonderful restored gospel message we have to all the people wherever they are, whatever language they speak, whatever history they have."
Courtesy President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Ralph W. Hardy, Area Seventy from the North America Northeast Area.
Members involved
Participation by Church members in the inauguration events varied from the 14 members of Congress who joined their peers on the inaugural stand to Saints who were among the University of Utah and Evergreen, Washington, High School marching bands. And from Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, who were among the four members of Congress on the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to Lynn Rasch returning to ride with an equestrienne group in the parade and 11-year-old Ethan Durrant joining the San Francisco Boys Chorus to perform at the inauguration.
Highlights of Church leader and member involvement in U.S. presidential inaugurations over the past 56 years:
2009 — Inauguration of President Barack Obama
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve represented the Church at the inauguration and National Prayer Service (see story on this page).
2001 — Inauguration of President George W. Bush
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir made its first inaugural performance since 1989; its itinerary including two concerts, a radio/TV broadcast and the inaugural parade, where the singers squeezed on a 125-foot-long float labeled the largest of its kind in inaugural history. Representing the Church was Elder J. Willard Marriott Jr., an Area Seventy in the North America East Area.
1997 — Reinauguration of President Bill Clinton
Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve represented the Church at inaugural events.
Utah's representation in the inaugural parade included a replica pioneer-era covered wagon — reconstructed from pieces of antique wagons found around Nauvoo, Ill. — and a replica of the handcarts used to cross the Plains.
1993 — Inauguration of President Bill Clinton
Elder James E. Faust of the Quorum of the Twelve represented the Church at inaugural ceremonies.
1989 — Inauguration of President George H.W. Bush
President Ezra Taft Benson and President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, represented the Church, while the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed before the inaugural ceremony. Elder John K. Carmack traveled with the choir, and Steve Studdert, a Church member, organized the 1989 inauguration.
1981 — Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan
President Ezra Taft Benson, president of the Quorum of the Twelve, was joined by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Seventy as lead representatives of the Church. And the Mormon Tabernacle Choir earned its tag of "America's Choir" from President Reagan, making a stop of five-plus minutes in the parade in front of the review stand to honor first lady Nancy Reagan's request for a performance of "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
1977 — Inauguration of President Jimmy Carter
Representing the Church was President N. Eldon Tanner, first counselor in the First Presidency. Sen. Howard W. Cannon, D-Nev., conducted the inaugural program and served as chairman of the joint committee for inauguration arrangements.
1973 — Reinauguration of President Richard Nixon
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sent a delegation of 30 choir members to sing in the White House's East Room, too small to accommodate the entire choir. Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve represented the Church, while the BYU Cougar Marching Band participated in the inaugural parade.
1969 — Inauguration of President Richard Nixon
President N. Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency and Elder Richard L. Evans of the Quorum of the Twelve represented the Church, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir making its second trip in as many presidential inaugurations to perform. J. Willard Marriott served as chairman of the inauguration, with his wife, Alice, as special assistant.
1965 — Inauguration of President Lyndon B. Johnson
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir made its inauguration debut, but dense fog at the Salt Lake Airport forced 251 members of the 363-strong choir to board buses for a nine-hour ride to Las Vegas, Nev., where they caught a subsequent flight and arrived just three hours before they were scheduled to assemble on the Capitol's east side.
1953 — Inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower
President David O. McKay attended inauguration ceremonies, while Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Quorum of the Twelve rode in a convertible down Pennsylvania Avenue in the inaugural parade — he joined join President Eisenhower's Cabinet the next day as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
— Compiled by Scott Taylor from Church News and Deseret News archives
© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company
Teaching 'teachers' how to better teach
Church News
Teaching 'teachers' how to better teach
By Scott TaylorDeseret News
Published: Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009
New missionary training center presidents and visitors center directors and their wives will have a unique opportunity during their two-year tenures training missionaries to preach the gospel — or, more specifically, to teach teachers how to teach.
Elder L. Tom Perry — the member of the Quorum of the Twelve who chairs the Church's Missionary Executive Council — underscored the importance of teaching as he provided the Jan. 15 concluding address at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City for the three-day seminar for new missionary training center presidents and visitors center directors.
Elder L. Tom Perry
"We're all teachers," he said. "The day we came into mortality, we started to teach, even as babies teach their parents."
He cited teaching situations ranging from individuals associating with friends to parents interacting with children. "Even in wrongdoing, we teach the wrong things," he added.
Emphasizing the importance of teaching in the Church, Elder Perry referred to the phrase in 1 Corinthians: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers . . ." (1 Corinthians 12:28).
"We are focusing on trying to make our missionaries the best teachers," he said. "That's their main and important function — to be teachers of the word of God."
Elder Perry projected the potential impact of maximum teaching worldwide, asking the presidents and directors and wives to consider the possibility of 25,000 missionary companionships teaching 20 discussions each week, equating to more than 25 million teaching opportunities each year.
"What a potential force that is — to teach the correct principles of the gospel to the peoples of the world," he said. "You're going to teach a core of teachers who are going out to teach the gospel throughout the world."
Elder Perry summarized the key principles taught in the February 2007 Worldwide Leadership Training satellite broadcast Feb. 10, 2007: To ask, seek and knock spiritually; to teach from the scriptures; to teach by the Spirit; to help the learner assume responsibility for learning; and to never leave a class without bearing your witness and testimony of the truthfulness of what you've taught.
"I hope and pray that your witness, your desires and your influence will be a power in their lives to change them," said Elder Perry, adding a promised blessing to the presidents and directors and their wives as they strive to be not only good leaders but also effective teachers of others.
"The witness of the Holy Ghost will be powerful in your lives — more powerful than it has ever been before."
© 2009 Deseret News Publishing Company
Saturday, January 24, 2009
I Know Him by Heart on STL Purple Clay Ocarina
"The essence of Romanticism is infinite longing."
------------E.T.A. Hoffmann
Lyrics:
There's a secret path I follow
To a place no one can find
Where I meet my perfect someone
I've kept hidden in my mind
Where my heart makes my decisions
'Till my dream becomes a vision
And the love I feel
Makes him real someday
'Cause I know he's out there somewhere
Just beyond my reach
Though I've never really touched him
Or ever heard him speak
Though we've never been together
We've never been apart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart
Am I living in an illusion?
Wanting something I can't see
If I compromise, I'd be living lies
Pretending love's not meant to be
'Cause I know my heart's worth saving
And I know that he'll be waiting
So I'll hold on and I'll stay strong 'till then
'Cause I know he's out there somewhere
Just beyond my reach
Though I've never really touched him
Or ever heard him speak
Though we've never been together
We've never been apart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart
------------E.T.A. Hoffmann
Lyrics:
There's a secret path I follow
To a place no one can find
Where I meet my perfect someone
I've kept hidden in my mind
Where my heart makes my decisions
'Till my dream becomes a vision
And the love I feel
Makes him real someday
'Cause I know he's out there somewhere
Just beyond my reach
Though I've never really touched him
Or ever heard him speak
Though we've never been together
We've never been apart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart
Am I living in an illusion?
Wanting something I can't see
If I compromise, I'd be living lies
Pretending love's not meant to be
'Cause I know my heart's worth saving
And I know that he'll be waiting
So I'll hold on and I'll stay strong 'till then
'Cause I know he's out there somewhere
Just beyond my reach
Though I've never really touched him
Or ever heard him speak
Though we've never been together
We've never been apart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart
Thursday, January 22, 2009
No Man Is an Island--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell
| No Man Is an Island | Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell |
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Striving for Balance--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell
| Striving for Balance | Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newelll |
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