Of Good Report

Creating a Legacy

A Columbus, Ohio, regional youth conference gave new meaning to the phrase “For the Strength of Youth.” It also left a lasting legacy in the hearts of both the youth and the community.

Hundreds of young muscles labored a total of more than two thousand hours to put a fresh face on a 43-year-old 4-H camp in southern Ohio. Approximately four hundred youth from three Columbus, Ohio, stakes hammered, shoveled, and painted their way through the camp in a one-day blitz.

“These young people from the Mormon Church have completed in one day what would normally have taken a year and a half to do,” stated Conn Drake, the camp’s director. “The projects these young workers have completed would typically be done by camp maintenance crews or contract labor.”

Teams of youth from the Columbus Ohio Stake, the Columbus Ohio North Stake, and the Columbus Ohio East Stake hung drywall and painted several buildings. They constructed a 16 x 24-foot picnic shelter, refurbished a nine-hole miniature golf course, and built twenty-five picnic tables, ten park benches, several nesting boxes, some birdhouses, and a handful of wood signs. The youth also created new trails and improved existing ones. And finally, they built a regulation-size baseball diamond complete with backstop.

After the dust had settled at the end of the day, the group had completed more than thirty-one projects. Tired, pleased, and happy, both youth and adult participants knew they had been part of a significant event.

“What we have created here is a lasting legacy,” observed Rachel Luce, one of the youth. “In twenty years I plan on bringing my children to this camp to show them what we did.”—Brian Flammer, public affairs director, Columbus Ohio Stake

Community Commitment

Members of the Palos Verdes California Stake, including thirty youth, participated in a community Celebration of Commitment sponsored by the Interfaith Coalition to Heal L.A.

Approximately one thousand people attended the celebration, which sent a message of unity and commitment to the Los Angeles community. The program included speakers and musical and dance numbers from many religious groups, including Jewish, Baptist, Buddhist, and Muslim congregations.

Roger Lovett of the Harbor First Ward represented Latter-day Saints by singing “Love in Any Language.” The audience joined Brother Lovett on the chorus and then gave him a standing ovation when the number was concluded.—Sharon Stucki and Pamela Robinson, Palos Verdes, California

Commemorating Gospel Growth

In October 1988, John and Beverly Limburg arrived in Suriname (formerly Dutch Guiana) and began doing missionary work. Five months later, the Limburgs held their first sacrament meeting—with 25 people in attendance. Five years later, approximately 210 members and investigators gathered to celebrate the fifth year of missionary work in the country, which consists of a diversified population of Hindustani, Black, Indian, Chinese, and Dutch residents.

Members in the small country, which is in the Trinidad-Tobago Mission, have seen a lot happen in the past five years. Elder Russell M. Ballard dedicated the country for the preaching of the gospel in February 1990. A year later, elders were sent to Suriname, and by November 1991, Church membership had reached 100. Currently, there are approximately 225 members, and there are fourteen full-time missionaries—two couples and ten elders.

During the commemoration meeting, August Marengo, the first male convert, and Eline Troenosemito, the first female convert, spoke and shared their feelings about the growth of the Church. Special musical numbers were provided by missionaries and local members.—Ronald J. Lewis, branch president, Paramaribo, Suriname

Youth in Columbus, Ohio, combine efforts to make a picnic table. (Photo by Brian Flammer.)

Robert Lovett performs during a community interfaith meeting. (Photo by Grant Campbell.)