LDS Scene

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Soviet ambassador to the United States was “deeply touched” by a $100,000 gift from Church members to aid Armenian earthquake victims. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Council of the Twelve reported after delivering the gift. Elder Nelson delivered the gift at the Soviet embassy December 14, along with a letter of condolence from the First Presidency. He promised the ambassador that more aid would be forthcoming. Some of the donated funds came from money contributed earlier by Church members for disaster relief. But following the earthquake in Armenia December 7, contributions to aid its victims began to come in almost immediately from Church members, and these continue. “It’s been a very interesting thing how members of the Church worldwide have had a compassionate feeling for the people affected by this tragedy in Armenia,” Elder Nelson said. Members wishing to contribute to the Armenian Relief Fund may do so through their bishops or may send the contributions to the Presiding Bishop.

MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICA, AND THE PHILIPPINES—A number of Church members have been affected by recent hurricane and flood damage at sites around the world, but to date no members are known to have been killed by the disasters. Hurricane and flood damage in Mexico and other areas of Central America has been extensive. Fortunately, members of the Church and missionaries in these areas are unhurt. Some forty families have reported property damage in Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador. Local leaders and other members are assisting with their recovery. In the Philippines, some members continue to raft to church due to extensive flooding; two chapels in the Pasig Philippines Stake, near Laguna de Bay, have been isolated by floods. At least sixteen families have been forced from their homes into temporary quarters until the floods subside. No significant damage to Church property has been reported.

HELENA, MONTANA—Church members in Montana have joined with people of other faiths in the fight to stop pornography. President Jed Stanfill of the Helena Montana Stake was among the representatives of religious groups at the signing of the governor’s proclamation of “Pornography Awareness Week” beginning October 3. The president of Montana Citizens for Decency through Law, Dallas D. Erickson, of the Libby Ward, also arranged for a state interdenominational meeting December 1. The religious representatives then drafted a position paper against obscene materials. The paper was to circulate throughout Montana.

NEW HAMPSHIRE AND KANSAS—Latter-day Saint leaders sparked awareness of National Family Week, November 20–26, in both New England and the Midwest. In New England, because of efforts of the New Hampshire Manchester Mission, the governors of New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont all signed proclamations recognizing the week. And the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, responded to requests from Church members in proclaiming National Family Week in his city. The mayors of Liberty and Potts, Missouri, issued similar proclamations.

CINCINNATI, OHIO—For the fourth year in a row, the Cincinnati Ohio North Stake Relief Society held a Christmas festival to help members of their community usher in the holidays. The festival was preceded by one held for the second year by the Cincinnati Ohio Stake Relief Society. Both gatherings offered seminars on the life and mission of Jesus Christ. In keeping with seasonal interests, craft and demonstration workshops, tree decorations, display tables, a fashion show, a Kiddie Korner, and lunch were also offered. At the Cincinnati North stake’s festival, a table labeled “Our Gift of Love,” offering free copies of the Book of Mormon, soon ran out. About 1,000 people, more than 50 percent nonmembers, attended the two festivals.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO—Local members left on missions in increasing numbers during the last half of 1988, despite being asked to provide more of their own financial support. The first half of the year saw a drop in the number of new local missionaries, but the size of outgoing groups at the missionary training center rebounded in the second half of the year to equal or exceed the size of groups in earlier years.

AREQUIPA, PERU—Missions in Arequipa and Lima, Peru, will be able to purchase some new baptismal clothes, thanks to a group of Utah children . The children of the Farmington Seventh Ward, Farmington Utah North Stake, raised and sent the money for the clothing. Last year, they also donated funds to one of Peru’s missions for the same purpose.

HAARLEM, NETHERLANDS—Dutch Church members are taking part in an interdenominational project that provides food, goods, and financial aid for citizens in Poland. In addition to aiding Polish citizens, the project is helping to open doors for missionary work in the Netherlands. After each shipment to Poland, participants in the project hold a worship service in a historic chapel in Haarlem, and every church involved takes part.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA—The U.S. Postal Service has recommended that would-be genealogists become familiar with the LDS Church’s family history libraries. The recommendation was part of the postal service’s promotion in November 1988 of genealogical research under a program called “Plant a Family Tree.” A brochure printed by the postal service advises readers to get information through LDS family history libraries. It says: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the largest collection of genealogical information in the world. For information, visit a church near you.” It then offers the address of the Church’s Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The postal service also offers a pamphlet entitled “Suggestions for Beginners in Genealogy” and is selling an introductory home study course with a book, Instructions for Beginners in Genealogy.

SALT LAKE CITY—The Tabernacle Choir has received the National Recognition Medal from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, one of four awarded in 1988. Presented by foundation president Robert Miller at the Salt Lake Tabernacle November 20, the medal honors organizations and individuals who have promoted patriotism and pride in the American heritage. The choir has recorded several albums of patriotic music and sung at a number of presidential inaugurations. Last year, the choir sang during Australia’s bicentennial celebrations as an official cultural representative of the United States.