LDS Scene

Mothers of the Year

The states of Montana, Washington, and Ohio have honored members of the Church as their Mother of the Year or Young Mother of the Year. They are Maxine Foxall McDede, a member of the Fort Benton Branch, Great Falls Montana Stake; Sherri Zirker, Warden Ward, Moses Lake Washington Stake, and Jonnie Ratliff Gilliland, Columbus Second Ward, Columbus Ohio Stake.

They all represented their states at a national presentation in New York City in May.

Sister McDede, widow of Dr. J. S. McDede, directs the nursing staff at a Fort Benton hospital and is the mother of four daughters. Sister Zirker, wife of Ronald J. Zirker, a stake high councilor, holds positions in several auxiliaries and serves with her husband as adviser to the Young Adults. They have five children. Sister Gilliland and her husband, Robert L. Gilliland, have four children. She is Relief Society spiritual living leader and a Primary teacher in her ward.

To Iceland

Every worthy young man in the Church is expected to serve a mission, but two missions back to back is literally walking the second mile. Double this and you have the experience of twins, Daniel and David Geslison of Spanish Fork, Utah.

They returned in April of this year from missions in Japan and Korea—to the news that their father had been called to Iceland to preside over a district of the Danish Mission. After a family council, the sons agreed to accompany their parents and were officially called two days later to serve full-time missions in Iceland.

President Geslison’s parents were converts from Iceland who settled in Spanish Fork, so he speaks Icelandic. As soon as his sons have learned the language, it is expected that more elders will be sent to work with them. No Church literature is as yet available in Icelandic, although translation of the standard works has begun. There are also no English-Icelandic dictionaries available.

The Geslisons have their work cut out for them: Only one native Icelandic Church member resides in Iceland at this time. There are, however, several other members who are in the country on military assignment.

Festival in France becomes Missionary Tool

For the first time in history, the Church had an exhibit at the International Book Festival in Nice, France, this year. The festival lasted May 3 through May 8 and attracted more than 250,000 visitors.

The Church’s exhibit was sponsored by the Switzerland Geneva Mission and the Nice District. It included presentations on the Book of Mormon, Family Home Evening, and the principles of the gospel. The presentations were made by members, district missionaries, and full-time missionaries from throughout the area. The films “Meet the Mormons,” “Man’s Search for Happiness,” and “Ancient America Speaks” were also shown.

During the six days, visitors purchased or received more than 400 Church magazines, 114 copies of the Book of Mormon, 48 other Church books, and more than 5,000 brochures. At least 70 referrals and many appointments were made. The Church has been invited to participate in the festival again next year.

Church Pageant Presented in Paris

A three-act musical drama, “Tout est bien” (All Is Well) was performed by members and missionaries in the France Paris Mission at five theaters and halls in Paris during April and May.

The project was originated by Pierre and Christian Euvard and Marie-Francoise Drouot, who had seen a similar pageant in Oakland, California, last year. With the encouragement of President Willis Waite of the Paris France Mission, a fully developed production with orchestra, chorus, and an original script was organized.

Those involved in the presentation report that response to the pageant was much greater than expected, with people coming from Switzerland, Belgium, and many parts of France to see the production.

“Homefront” Wins CLIO

A CLIO award, the “Oscar” of the electronic advertising industry, has been awarded to the Church and Bonneville Productions for a spot in the “Homefront” radio series. The award was presented by the U.S. Association of National Advertising and the Radio Advertising Bureau.

The winning spot is called “Tuitt-Man” and features a man selling “round tuitts” with the message that if parents get “a round tuitt” they will have time for their families. The entire campaign was cited for “superior excellence.”

Freedom Train

In a letter to all stake and mission presidents in the United States, the First Presidency has encouraged members to see the Freedom Train as it travels around the U.S. this year and next.

The Freedom Train is a museum on wheels containing documents, relics, and memorabilia on America. One such document is George Washington’s copy of the Declaration of Independence. The train, composed of 25 cars, is part of the U.S. Bicentennial observance and will tour 80 cities. The schedule is still tentative and will be announced in local news media.

“We feel that the Freedom Train can do much in bringing to our young people a greater appreciation of the United States, its inspired beginnings and its divine destiny,” the First Presidency said.