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Lamanite Conference

Seven hundred Lamanites of high school and college age represented the United States, western Canada, and parts of Polynesia and Latin America at a recent Lamanite Conference in Salt Lake City. The theme “Making the Priesthood a Power in My Life” was developed in essays, speeches, and panel discussions. Felipe Campa from Mexico summed up his feelings about the priesthood when he said: “I remember a long time ago when I was studying to be a priest to have the power to act in the name of God. But when I started studying, I got disappointed, and I ran away from that church. Now I can say I have the power of God—the priesthood.”

Participants were encouraged to preserve their ethnic identity and develop their leadership ability. Whitecloud, a full-blooded Lamanite, is proud of his heritage. “My grandfather didn’t talk English. He was chief. His braids hung down to his hips. He wore earrings. He wore paint. He wore blanket and he said, ‘Grandson, my father’s, father’s, father’s father was chief, and our homeland was in the north, and our homeland was God’s land, and in God’s land the tree of life grows. We live here now, but one day we are going back North.’ Our homeland was Nebraska and Missouri. When the elder came preaching to me, he said, ‘One day your people shall go North and in the North, in God’s land, Jackson County, Missouri, the tree of life shall grow.’

“I know what it is to be an Indian. I do not give up our ways, and I admonish you: You may talk English. You may get an education, but do not forget what your grandfather tells you because we are children of God. One day when death comes to me and I lay on my bed, I can tell my children’s, children’s children that when I was young our people in Zion, they sing, our people in Zion, they pray, our people in Zion, they follow.”

Talents were presented in an arts and crafts competition and in the Lamanite Extravaganza. Joe Begay, a member of the popular singing group known as the Lamanite Generation, was one of the participants in the Extravaganza. “Other Lamanites,” he said, “are very proud of us, and some of them come and shake our hands and say, ‘Go show the white people what we can do.’”

Most of all, the conference contributed to the unity, understanding, and faith of the participants. Lisa Garcia, a representative of the Santo Domingo and San Felipe Pueblo Indians, sums up the feelings of many of her fellow participants with the words to a song she wrote: “My people are many in number, from Apache to Navajo. My people are many in number, from Comanche to Pueblo. Our great father in the sky has told promises for you and I. Take my hand and we’ll walk the path to Lehi’s tree.”

Gossip

Being on the scene with your group or your ward points up the great and good things about being young. …

Federal Heights Ward members in Salt Lake City watched models acting as parade bystanders work their way down a ramp lined with balloons and festive lights to open a program that was youth-written, youth-directed, and youth-staged to the delight of a huge audience. John Preston Creer, national Sigma Gamma Chi president, rated raves as the leader of the band. Under the leadership of MIA president, Marilyn Harvey, the script was written by a committee including Teresa Berry, Stacy Bushnell, Tony Cannon, and Jennifer Eliason. Others assisting were Lynette and Jennifer Jardine, Kathy Davis, and Dayne Belnap. Hugh West and Richard Burton managed the music.

Alan Spencer, American Fork, Utah, has walked off with first place in Weber State University’s arts and letters research competition. Alan presented an illustrated lecture on “An Archaeological Survey of the Knolls and Vicinity, Utah County, Utah,” The prize won him a trip to Durham, North Carolina, and an opportunity to compete for the final prize—a trip to England.

Barbara Jean Rushton of Tacoma, Washington, was chosen to participate in the famous “America’s Youth in Concert.” New York City, Washington D.C., and capitol cities of Europe made up the concert schedule. Barbara is the only girl in a family of eight, with five brothers filling or having filled missions. She was graduated from seminary in June.

Teo Thiam Chye, a young missionary from Singapore, says, “I noticed the good change in my sister’s life when she followed her Christian friends to church. I didn’t have the courage then to ask my parents for permission to follow my sister and her friends, but now I know that faith without works is dead. As years passed and I began going to Christian churches, my father drove me from the house. I went to live with my second eldest sister’s family and assisted them in any way I could. God sent two of his faithful servants to us and the light, life, and truth was revealed to me. I was baptized, and a short time later I received the priesthood. Since then I have served as branch clerk. How kind and loving our Father in heaven can be to his children if they will exercise their faith in him. I am most grateful to our Lord for preparing the way for my mission.” Elder Teo Thiam Chye was called to the Southeast Asian Mission.

Dennis Palmer from Thatcher, Arizona, recently won the Elks’ Club Most Valuable Student award and was entered into the national competition. Dennis has been a top athlete and served as captain of the football squad and the basketball team and is starting pitcher in baseball. Being an all-conference athlete and student officer helped make him a winner among the girls who named him Bachelor King. He’s musical, is an Eagle Scout, and has his Duty to God and Order of the Arrow awards.

How about Brent Atkin walking off with rodeo honors again? Brent is a St. George, Utah, fellow and has been serving as president of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, which involves about 3,000 college students across America. Besides being a star performer on the rodeo circuit, Brent is an elder in his ward and has captained his college basketball team. He’s training to be a rancher in Arizona.

A How-To for Health Addicts

Sprouting seeds and grains is a current activity that nutritionists claim has healthful side effects—if you eat the sprouts, that is! Anyway, sprouts are practically caloriless and boast loads of nutrients. All you do is soak about four tablespoons of wheat, soybeans, or alfalfa in 3/4 cup lukewarm water in a pint jar. Let them stand overnight. Next morning cover the jar with a double layer of cheesecloth or fine net and hold it in place with an elastic. Now you pour off the water through the cloth and rinse the grains with lukewarm water two or three times a day for two or three days. In between rinsings, tip the jar slightly over the sink edge so the excess water drains off. Purists drain the water into the soup pot for extra nourishment and vitamin content. In a couple of days you’ll have delicious sprouts to use in salads, or for sandwich greens, or for snacking.

Old friends renewing acquaintance

Happy Lamanite Conference participant

Lisa Garcia at Lamanite Extravaganza

Lamanite Generation precision dancers

Whitecloud—“Keep the best of the old”

Barbara Jean Rushton, traveling musician

Tao Thiam Chye, Chinese missionary

Dennis Palmer, honored student

Brent Atkin, National Intercollegiate Rodeo leader

Brent Atkin, right, displays top form in the Ribbon Roping Event during the College National Finals Rodeo at the Montana State University fieldhouse last year. The cowboy on the left is the hazer who stops the calf so that Brent can grab the ribbon, tie it to the tail, and race back to the starting gate.