| FAIR Conference to Address LDS Issues
Leading scholars and popular authors and speakers will address issues of interest to LDS faithful at the annual Mormon Apologetics Conference, set for August 7-8.
Faith Matters to NBA Champions' General Manager
The fairytale season for Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics ended in June in the best possible way — a drubbing of the Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA championship, Boston's 17th overall, ending a 20-plus-year championship drought.
Church Addresses Polygamy Issue
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has taken steps to better inform the public about differences between the Salt Lake City-based church and the polygamous group in Texas that calls itself the FLDS.
Ground Broken for Brazil's Sixth Temple
Leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints broke ground on Friday at the site of what will be the faith's sixth temple in the country.
Conservation Group Hails Church for Salt Lake City Facelift
A new report highlighting environmentally friendly projects by U.S. faith-based organizations praises The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its City Creek Center initiative in downtown Salt Lake City.
Young Mormons Bring Relief to Hong Kong Elderly
Eighty volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worked with others in the community to take fresh bread and bottled water to residents of the village of Tai O after recent flooding and mudslides.
Missionaries Fill Sandbags as Mississippi Rises
QUINCY , Illinois — More than 130 missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are saying thank you to the people of Quincy, Illinois, by filling sandbags to protect the city that once protected Mormon pioneers.
Helping Hands Spare Nauvoo Sites in Record Midwest Flooding
As soon as the call went out that historic Nauvoo was flooding, helping hands pitched in to avert disaster.
By Marjorie H. Rice
Mormons Help Flood Victims in Three States
Hundreds of volunteers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints adorned in yellow “Mormon Helping Hands” T-shirts spent this past weekend rendering aid to flood victims throughout southern Indiana.
Famous Art Coming Your Way
Here's a question for you: What do Queen Elizabeth, Charlton Heston, Prince Charles, and Captain Moroni have in common? The answer may surprise you.
Family History Library Offers Free Classes on FamilySearch Indexing
The Family History Library offers classes on how to do indexing. The next series of classes will be taught on Saturday, July 12, 2008.
Mormon Youth Make Helping Others a Big Part of Social Gatherings
Forty young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave more than 5,000 hours of volunteer service to upgrade a home in North Ogden, Utah.
BYU Television and KBYU-TV to air Priesthood Commemoration Fireside
BYU Television and KBYU-TV, Channel 11, will air the special fireside, "Church Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Priesthood Revelation," on June 11 at 6:00 p.m. and June 15 at 1:00 p.m., respectively.
Defending Mormonism — Topic of New Book
As increased anti-Mormon Internet activity causes some Mormons to doubt their faith, but a grassroots volunteer group fights back.
Changes in Presidency of the Seventy Announced
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced change in the Presidency of the Seventy.
Elder Paul V. Johnson Appointed As Commissioner of Church Educational System
The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the appointment of Elder Paul V. Johnson as commissioner of the Church Educational System, succeeding Elder W. Rolfe Kerr, who has been called as the Logan, Utah temple president.
Mormons Make Their Voices Heard — Digitally
In an age when the Internet has become a primary way that people communicate, three young Latter-day Saint women endeavor to discuss their faith. They don't do it in their Sunday best sitting in a church house; they do it sitting in front of a Web cam with a high-speed connection.
Two Musical Headliners to Entertain
Two internationally acclaimed musical artists, Marvin Goldstein and Sam Payne, will emcee a summer evening of humor and music, which will appeal to the whole family, at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors' Center, Friday, June 20, 7:30 pm.
President Uchtdorf Meets with European Saints in Three Cities
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, met with members of the Church and guests last week in Versailles.
Hong Kong Mormons Aid Earthquake Victims
Within days of the massive earthquake that rocked the Chinese province of Sichuan earlier this month, more than 600 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Hong Kong traveled to a factory in Shenzhen, China, to assemble 10,000 emergency kits for victims.
President Bush Meets with First Presidency
President George W. Bush met with the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday morning at the Church’s headquarters in Salt Lake City.
Believers in God Need to Work Together, Apostle Says
A senior leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told Bloomberg Television's Mike Schneider recently that “there should be a wonderful relationship with all people of all religious persuasions.”
New Phoenix Arizona Temple Announced
President Thomas S. Monson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Saturday, May 28, that the Church plans to build a new temple in Phoenix, Arizona. This will bring the worldwide total number of temples built or under construction to 140, including five in Arizona.
Remembering Gordon B. Hinckley Event at Washington D.C. Visitors' Center
Maurine and Scot Proctor, founders of Meridian Magazine, will be speaking at 7:00 p.m., Sunday night, June 1, at the Washington D.C. Visitors' Center and showing a DVD, Gordon B. Hinckley, Temple Builder: Upfront and Personal.
100th Mormon Congregation Organized in Taiwan
The Pacific island of Taiwan now has 100 congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Last month Mormon officials organized the new Mingchien Branch by dividing the larger Nantou Ward.
Aren't You Too Young to be Doing Genealogy?
Family history research, or genealogy, has traditionally been a hobby pursued mostly by middle-age adults and seniors. Formal college courses and advances in technology are now attracting teenagers and young adults to the pastime.
Missionaries Help Save Homes from Fires
Four Mormon missionaries helped save homes in their neighborhood when fires threatened the area last week.
Church Aid Sent to Myanmar
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the United Parcel Service, and Atlanta-based CARE International shipped 142,000 pounds of medical and other supplies to Myanmar on Monday, to aid those affected by a recent cyclone.
Elder J. Thomas Fyans Dies
Elder J. Thomas Fyans, an emeritus general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died May 18, 2008, at his home after celebrating his much anticipated 90 th birthday with family members on Saturday.
FamilySearch Publishes Civil War Updates
FamilySearch genealogy website has announced its agreement with Footnote.com to publish two Civil War-era databases online.
How Mormons Deal with Fame
Seventeen-year-old Utah Mormon David Archuleta, one of two finalists in the singing contest American Idol, is the most recent example of high-profile Mormons who have had to reconcile their faith with their fame.
Church Education Conference Set for June 6-7 at SVU
Registrations are now being taken for the annual Southern Virginia University Education Conference, which will be held on June 6-7 at the SVU campus. This year's theme is, “Living after the Manner of Happiness.”
Art Percussion Group at D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center
An award winning professional performance team from Taiwan is great entertainment that will appeal to all ages.
Curitiba Brazil Temple Opens its Doors to Public
The doors of the new Curitiba Brazil Temple are now open for public tours. The open house for members of the public will continue through 24 May, excluding Sundays.
Church Responds to Myanmar Disaster
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints extends its sympathy and assistance to the citizens of Myanmar following the recent devastating cyclone.
BYU-Idaho’s Three-Semester System is Working
Enrollment statistics released for summer semester 2008 at Brigham Young University-Idaho show that the goal of fully implementing the three-semester system is becoming a reality.
New Genealogy Guides for England and Scotland
FamilySearch has announced the release of two new free research tools that will help those with British and Scottish roots to find their ancestors.
LDS Women Reach Out to Serve
Why do these three Mormon women and thousands of others of their faith reach beyond the boundaries of their own homes, even their own communities, to provide relief to people in need?
Mormon Youth Put Life on Hold to Serve as Missionaries
Each of the more than 53,000 young Mormon missionaries serving as volunteers for the Church has a different story to tell about leaving behind career and studies to serve missions.
Osmonds to Join Tabernacle Choir for Concert
The entire Osmond family, including the Osmond Brothers, Donny, Marie and Jimmy, will be featured as guest artists for this year's Pioneer Day Concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Church Works with Governments to Strengthen Families
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and government officials in the Philippines are joining together to provide resources to help strengthen families and communities.
President Thomas S. Monson to Give Closing Address at BYU Women's Conference
President Thomas S. Monson will be the concluding speaker during this year's Brigham Young University Women's Conference. He will address the attendees at 3:45 p.m. on Friday, May 2, in the Marriott Center.
McKay School of Education at BYU to Offer New Doctoral Program
The David O. McKay School of Education at Brigham Young University will initiate a newly designed doctoral degree program beginning fall semester 2008 titled Educational Inquiry, Measurement and Evaluation (EIME).
President Monson Announces Two New Temples in Arizona
Plans to build two new temples in Gila Valley and Gilbert, Arizona, were announced today by Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This will bring the total number of temples to 134 already in operation or in the planning and construction phases.
A
Week in the Life of a Mormon Family
It’s
early morning, and Hilary and Patience Ekpo are going over the day’s
plans. After reading scriptures and praying together, they gather
their five children together and go through a similar exercise,
this time with the whole family.
Church
Collaborates on Emma Smith Movie
The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints collaborated with the Joseph
Smith Jr. and Emma Hale Smith Historical Society on the new movie,
Emma Smith: My Story, which was released in theaters across
Utah on 11 April.
New Zealand Temple Celebrates 50 Years
April 20 marks the dedication of the first temple in the South Pacific by President David O. McKay.
A photo essay by Laurie Williams Sowby
Apostle
Urges Grads to Influence the Digital World
More than 1,400 Brigham Young
University-Idaho graduates were urged to make their influence felt
in the digital world in an address given by Elder M. Russell Ballard
at winter commencement exercises held Friday, April 11.
Mormon
Grandmother Helps Australian Prime Minister Say “Sorry”
As Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd gave a historic apology to indigenous Australians earlier
this year, Latter-day Saint woman Lorna Fejo watched the televised
speech with great interest.
BYU to Host Annual Women's Conference
On Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2, the 2008 Brigham Young University Women's Conference, co-sponsored by the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will help women "Awake, Arise, and Come unto Him" through a broad range of instructional sessions and a service event that will "Make the Pathway Bright."
BYU–Idaho Introduces Laptop Computer Initiative
In an effort to further increase the quality of the student experience, Brigham Young University-Idaho is introducing a new initiative strongly encouraging students to obtain and use a laptop computer.
178th
Annual General Conference
Sunday Afternoon, April 6, 2008
Talk Excerpts
Read excerpts of the last inspiring
session of the 178th Annual General Conference. Speakers include
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Elder David A. Bednar, Elder W. Craig
Zwick, Elder Robert R. Steuer, Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Elder
Lance B. Wickman, Elder Craig C. Christensen, and Elder M. Russell
Ballard.
178th
Annual General Conference
Sunday Morning Session, April 6, 2008
Talk Excerpts
Sunday morning
conference speakers included President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder
Sheldon F. Child, Sister Susan W. Tanner, President Boyd K. Packer,
President Thomas S. Monson. Read excerpts from their inspiring messages
here.
178th
Annual General Conference
Priesthood Session
Young and old
priesthood holders were inspired by church leaders, including talks
by Elder Quentin L. Cook, Bishop H. David Burton, President Dean
R. Burgess, Elder John M. Madsen, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf,
and President Thomas S. Monson.
178th
Annual General Conference
Saturday Afternoon Session, April 5, 2008
Talk Excerpts
The Saturday afternoon session o the 178th
annual general conference included messages from Elder Dallin H.
Oaks, Elder Robert D. Hales, Elder Gerald N. Lund, Elder Carlos
H. Amado, Elder William R. Walker, Elder Richard G. Scott, and Elder
L. Tom Perry.
First
Presidency and New Apostle Sustained in Solemn Assembly
Thomas S. Monson
was sustained Saturday as prophet, seer, revelator and president
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a solemn
assembly of Church members worldwide.
178th
Annual General Conference
Saturday Morning Session, April 5, 2008
Talk Excerpts
Refresh your memories of the Saturday morning
conference session. Read excerpts of talks by Elder Russell M. Nelson,
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Sister Cheryl C. Lant, Elder Kenneth Johnson,
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, and President Henry B. Eyring.
Former
Dean of Harvard Business School to Speak at DC Temple Visitors’
Center
Kim B. Clark, the 15th president of
Brigham Young University-Idaho, will speak about “Becoming
a Disciple Leader,” Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at the Washington
DC Temple Visitors’ Center.
Thousands
to Attend 178th Annual General Conference
More than one
hundred thousand Church members, friends and invited guests are
expected to attend the 178th Annual General Conference of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Question-and-Answer
Session Headlines Australian Broadcast
Thousands
of Australians from many faiths gathered in 38 chapels recently
to interact with an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints in a historic countrywide broadcast.
Taiwan
Mayor Seeks Missionary Help
The mayor of
Taichung has called on Mormon missionaries to assist with a project
aimed at helping his city (population 1 million) become an inviting
location for international business and tourism.
Leaders
Urge Young Women to Make Good Choices
A Church leader
told 20,000 young Latter-day Saint women on Saturday night that
choices made at a young age can ultimately determine the course
of a person's life.
Mack Wilberg Named Director of Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Dr. Mack Wilberg was officially named Friday as the new music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir by Mac Christensen, president of the choir.
Church Seeks National Landmark Historic Designation
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced several developments in its efforts to memorialize the victims who were killed at Mountain Meadows more than 150 years ago in southern Utah.
Missionaries Help Protect Flooded Communities
The people of Fenton and Valley Park, Missouri, saw a different side of their local Mormon missionaries over the weekend. As floodwaters rose and homes and businesses were threatened, 50 young Latter-day Saints serving as missionaries for their church loosened their ties, rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
Visitors to Rembrandt Exhibit Find Common Ground
Educators, artists, art lovers and government officials are among the 30,000 guests who have seen 200-plus original works depicting the life of Christ by Rembrandt and other masters, all of which have been made available to Denver residents by art collector Shawn Merriman, a member of the Church.
Open
House, Dedication Dates Announced for Twin Falls Idaho Temple
The First Presidency of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the open
house and dedication dates for the new Twin Falls Idaho Temple.
Claims
Regarding Purported Image of Joseph Smith Explained
A purported image
of Joseph Smith is circulating widely on the Internet. Some persons
have mistakenly claimed that this image belongs to The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that Church officials have
verified or are verifying its authenticity. These claims are not
true.
Emotions
Surface as New Museum Opens
When Lynn Stowell,
a volunteer guide at Saturday’s opening of the new Northwest
African American Museum, helped a man find information about his
grandfather, the man wept. Such was the very personal response among
some of the guests.
New
Zealanders Spruce Up Neighborhoods
More than 5,000
members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their
neighbors joined together on Saturday in a nationwide day of service
to improve and beautify neighborhoods.
Young
Australian Mormons Clean Up Sydney Park
For 150 young
Latter-day Saints, cleaning up Sydney’s Centennial Parklands
was their preferred activity for the first day of the Australian
autumn, or fall.
Open
House and Dedication Dates Announced for Panama City and Brazil
Temples
The First Presidency
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced
the dates for public open houses prior to the dedications of new
temples in Curitiba, Brazil, and Panama City, Panama.
Richard
E. Turley Jr. Named Assistant Church Historian and Recorder
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints has named Richard E. Turley Jr. as the new assistant Church
historian and recorder, signaling another step forward in its commitment
to collect, preserve and publish Church historical records.
Network
Founder Tells NPR Parents Should Do More
In an interview
with National Public Radio recently, philanthropist Sheila Johnson
said that moral standards in the media were declining and that parents
needed to step up.
Church Releases New Official Portrait of First Presidency
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released the official portrait of the new First Presidency.
Volunteers
Help Restore Earthquake-Damaged Town
More than 300 Latter-day Saint
volunteers endured a whiteout snowstorm a week ago as they helped
residents repair their town following a series of earthquakes. After
an initial 6.0 quake on February 21, several aftershocks have hit
the town, damaging homes and other buildings.
New
Website Focuses on Life and Teachings of Christ
The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has launched a new multimedia
website about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The site,
JesusChrist.lds.org, was almost a year in the making.
New
Publishing Imprint Set to Boost Mormon Scholarship
The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced the establishment
of The Church Historian’s Press, a new imprint for publishing
works related to the Church’s origin and growth.
Two
Hymns Inspired by President Gordon B. Hinckley
In the wake
of the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley, two stories have been
circulating about hymns that have been written that have connections
to the Prophet. Although many “true stories” that circulate on the
internet are nothing more than fabrications, both these stories
are based in truth.
San Diego Stakes Stage Annual Mormon Battalion Day
Fourteen Southern California stakes join forces to commemorate the longest infantry march in U.S. history with displays, music, cannon fire, and hands-on activities in Old Town State Park.
Photos and text by Laurie Williams Sowby
Church
Will Work to Increase Understanding, Apostles Say
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints will increase its efforts to ensure that the public
better understands its beliefs and the values it represents, two
apostles of the Church said this week.
President
Monson Keeps Close Ties to Canada
As members
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embrace President
Thomas S. Monson as their new president, Canadian Mormons claim
especially close ties to him.
President
Monson Dedicates Rexburg Temple
Despite record snowfall, fog, and customary
winds, the Rexburg Temple was dedicated Sunday, February 10, and
the heavens smiled.
By Laurie Williams Sowby
Color,
Culture, Energy Abound in Youthful Celebration
Some 2,000 youths blend serious reflection
with entertainment on the eve of the Rexburg Temple dedication.
Photos and text by Laurie Williams Sowby
Rexburg
Temple to be Dedicated
The Rexburg
Idaho Temple will be dedicated Sunday, February 10th, by President
Thomas S. Monson. The dedication was postponed a week from its original
date, due to the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Non-Americans
in the First Presidency
At the press conference held to announce
the new First Presidency this week, one of the reporters noted that
there seems to be a new direction, with second counselor Dieter
F. Uchtdorf being German rather than a Utah-born American. Although
he is a welcome addition to the presiding quorum, President Uchtdorf
is not the first non-American to serve in the First Presidency.
By John A. Tvedtnes
President
Thomas S. Monson — The Pure Love of Christ
Whether reaching out to a tender heart
in a bed of sickness or to an entire nation bereft of the full blessings
of the gospel, Thomas S. Monson has the touch that blesses and changes
lives.
By Maurine Proctor
The
Mantle of the Prophet Falls on Thomas S. Monson
Despite the noise and upheaval in the
world, the succession of the presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints on Monday morning was calm and even joyful.
Meridian Magazine was there for the press conference. Come see history
unfold through our eyes.
Text by Maurine Proctor
Photography by Scot Facer Proctor
President
Hinckley’s Death Prompts International Media Attention
Media organizations
from China to Britain and Australia to Turkey have covered the news
of the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley, leader of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Our
Last Respects for President Hinckley
How can we possibly say good-bye to
President Gordon B. Hinckley? Thousands came to pay their last respects
in the Hall of the Prophets at the Conference Center. We talked
to some of them and took some pictures. Come on this emotional journey
with us.
Text by Maurine Proctor
Photography by Scot Facer Proctor
A
Visit to President Hinckley’s Grave Alone
In the brief twenty minutes we visited
President Hinckley's grave in the bitter cold, we were there alone.
I wanted to share a few pictures with you of this very familiar
place to us. Maurine and I know this hillside very intimately. Come
and see.
By Scot Facer Proctor
Church
Leaders Pay Tribute to President Hinckley
With arrangements
for the funeral of President Gordon B. Hinckley underway, church
leaders who worked with the Prophet paid tribute to him in statements
released this week.
Gordon
B. Hinckley — In His Own Words
Here are some
of our favorite quotes from President Hinckley in the last few years.
New
Venue for President Hinckley's Viewing Announced
Funeral Seating Outlined
The venue for
President Gordon B. Hinckley's viewing has been changed.
LDS Missions have Lifelong Impact
Instantly recognizable and seemingly ubiquitous, Mormon missionaries are hard to miss. Although thousands of news articles have been written over the years about missionaries and their work, few people realize the impact their missions have on the rest of their lives.
Readers Share Experiences with President Hinckley
Meridian readers who rubbed shoulders with President Hinckley during the Prophet's ministry recall their encounters with this great man.
Talks
to Lift, Bless, Inspire and Guide Us
from
President Gordon B. Hinckley
Come and contemplate the numerous
ways your life has been blessed by the teachings, doctrines and
principles taught us by President Gordon B. Hinckley in the past
nearly 13 years.
By
Scot Facer Proctor
Meridian
Readers across the World Mourn President Hinckley
From Canada to Australia, from
Lithuania to Sri Lanka, Meridian readers are saddened by the death
of President Hinckley. Here are more of their tributes and recollections,
demonstrating the greatness of this prophet of God.
God
be with You ‘til We Meet Again
We, who have come so much to rely on President
Hinckley’s goodness and vision, pretended that he could continue
to defy time. We wanted him to, because we would never be ready
to let him go.
By Maurine and Scot Proctor
Funeral
Services for President Hinckley Announced
Funeral services
for President Gordon B. Hinckley, leader of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints who died Sunday evening, will be held
this Saturday, February 2, in the Conference Center in Salt Lake
City.
Cane
Wave Tribute to President Hinckley
In honor of
President Gordon B. Hinckley, a unique tribute to this beloved prophet
is being organized for his funeral. All who loved President Hinckley
and who will be in Salt Lake City on the day of the funeral are
invited to participate.
Meridian
Readers Remember President Hinckley
As church members
learned of President Gordon B. Hinckley’s passing, many of
them sent their thoughts to Meridian Magazine. We published some
of these poignant memories on Monday. Here are some more tributes
to our beloved prophet.
Beloved
Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley Passes Away
Our beloved President Gordon B. Hinckley, who
led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve
years of global expansion, has died Sunday evening at his apartment
in downtown Salt Lake at 7:00 p.m. at the age of 97 of causes incident
to age.
By Maurine Proctor
with information from the LDS Newsroom
Meridian Readers Respond
to President Hinckley’s Death
Meridian readers have been flooding
our inbox with their loving and tender responses to the passing
of President Hinckley. Here is a small sample of the emails sent
by Meridian readers.
Time
line of Significant Events as President
Year by year
events during President Hinckley's administration.
Testimony
of President Gordon B. Hinckley
"I leave
you my testimony, my witness and my love for each of you."
Succession
in the Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
When the President of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints passes away, the following events take place.
Official
Numbers Attract Media Interest
Church Public Affairs reports that
membership numbers have become particularly important to journalists
writing about the Church during the current U.S. presidential campaign.
Video Challenges Mormon Myths, Explains
Reality
A 10-minute video originally produced
for the large number of journalists visiting Salt Lake City for
the 2002 Winter Olympics has been updated and posted online to help
counter persistent myths about the Church.
Church
Finds Ways to Help Members with Disabilities
A new website
sponsored by lds.org shows church members how to assist members
of their wards and stakes in being active participants in their
home congregations despite physical disabilities.
Rexburg
Idaho Temple Open to Public
The public is
invited to tour the newly completed Rexburg Idaho Temple of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Family
History Library Offers Free Classes on FamilySearch Indexing
The Family History
Library in Salt Lake City is offering classes on how to do FamilySearch
indexing. The next classes will be held on two Fridays, January
18 and January 25, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Apostle
Urges Students to Use New Media
Two hundred graduating students at
Brigham Young University-Hawaii were urged last week to use the
Internet — including blogs and other forms of “new media”
— to contribute to a national conversation about The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
New
Study Shows Health Benefit of Fasting
A study presented
to the American Heart Association indicates that members of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who regularly fast are
less likely to have coronary heart disease.
BYU's
Lee Library Places Missionary Diary Collection Online
Hyrum Smith's missionary diary
is the oldest of 575 diaries written by early missionaries of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that are now housed
in BYU's Harold B. Lee Library. After an enormous, five-year project,
376 of these diaries — including Smith's — are now available
for patrons around the world to access online.
Festival
of Lights Schedule for D.C. Temple
Here is a schedule
of events for the 2007 Festival of Lights, being held through January
1st at the Washington D.C. Temple.
Primary
Organization Serves as Parental Support
Working as a
support to parents, the Primary organization of The Church of Jesus
Christ has become a significant resource for Latter-day Saint parents
worldwide.
Interfaith
Crèche Display Strengthens Community Ties
Combine
nearly 1,000 crèches and 700 volunteers from various religious
denominations in one LDS stake center, and what do you get? A powerful
spirit of community as well as an amazingly well-organized and beautiful
exhibit that’s the perfect way to start the Christmas season.
By Laurie Williams Sowby
Missionaries
Found Unharmed in Martinique
Two Mormon missionaries
missing since Monday on the Island of Martinique have been found
unharmed.
BYU
Television to Air Michigan State vs. BYU B-ball Game Live
On Saturday,
Dec. 8, BYU Television will provide live coverage of the BYU men’s
basketball team’s match-up against Michigan State.
Brazilian
Senate Honors Church and Its Members
At a time when
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United States
faces heightened interest from American media and public forums
about its history, beliefs and practices, the Brazilian Senate has
just held a special session to honor the 80-year presence of the
Church in Brazil.
BYU
Accounting Teams Excel at National Competition
A team of Marriott
School undergraduate accounting students placed first and a team
of graduate accounting students placed second at the 2007 Deloitte
Tax Case Study National Competition, marking BYU's seventh consecutive
first- or second-place finish in the undergraduate division.
By Irasema Romero
Temple
Square
Shines to Commemorate Birth of Christ
During the Christmas season, 10 acres in the
heart of downtown Salt Lake City will sparkle with millions of lights,
the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will sing for 100,000 people and a Christmas
devotional will be broadcast throughout the world from the Conference
Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints —
all to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Church
to Hold Latino Christmas Program
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints has announced this year’s Latino Christmas program,
to be held 6–8 December in the Tabernacle on Temple Square.
The program, titled “El regalo de navidad,” will be
presented entirely in Spanish.
Washington
Post Article Describes "Global Mormonism"
An article by Washington Post
London bureau Chief Mary Jordan explores the reasons behind
the 10% annual growth rate of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints in Nigeria. Jordan spent a week in Lagos, charting the lives
of members of the Church who had recently converted to Mormonism.
AML
Issues Call for Papers
The Association for Mormon Letters
announces a call for papers for the AML Annual Meeting, to be held
Saturday, February 23 in the Wilkinson Center on the campus of Brigham
Young University.
Joseph
Smith Descendants Host 1840s Christmas Celebration in Nauvoo
Some
164 years after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, descendants of Joseph
and Emma will host for the first time a commemorative Christmas
weekend in Nauvoo, Illinois, Thursday December 6th through Saturday
the 8th, 2007. The planned events are open to the first 100 who
register.
By Marjorie H. Rice
Native
Atlanta Artist Unveils African American Pioneer Painting
A painting depicting
the western migration of the African-American Mormon pioneer Jane
Manning James will be unveiled in Suwanee, Georgia, this Saturday.
Temple
in Tonga Attracts 40,000 Visitors
Some 40,000
visitors attended the recent month-long open house for the newly
renovated Tonga temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. The number constitutes forty percent of the island nation.
BYU-Idaho
Admissions Office Reaches Out to Returning Missionaries
In an effort to better serve returning
missionaries, the Brigham Young University-Idaho Admissions Office
has announced the new Returning Missionary Program. This program
exists to help returning missionaries preserve the spiritual momentum
and dedication of the mission field by enrolling in the first semester
after their return.
Apostles
Address Misconceptions with Editorial Boards
Two apostles
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have completed
a first round of visits to the Washington, D.C., editorial boards
of major American newspapers and magazines.
Mormons
Continue Helping Neighbors after California Fires
To date, the
Church has delivered five truckloads of supplies to evacuees in
the San Diego area. Blankets and hygiene kits were given to evacuees
in the Lake Arrowhead/Running Springs area. Some 13 chapels have
been used as temporary shelters over the past two weeks.
BYU
Announces Tuition Increase for 2008-2009 Academic Year
Brigham Young
University announced that it will raise undergraduate tuition 6.3
percent for the 2008-2009 academic year, bringing the undergraduate
rate per semester to $2,040, up $120 from last year's tuition of
$1,920.
Church
Members Ask Soul-Searching Questions in Media Campaign
The religion
known in the past 30 years for its cutting-edge public service ads
on the family has now redefined ways to share its message in a major
multimedia campaign. In ads being run in three test areas throughout
the United States, recent converts to the Church share their experiences
unscripted and in their own words.
Family
History Library To Hold Free Classes on Native American Research
If you
are struggling with research on your Native American ancestry, here
is an opportunity to learn from experts. On Saturday, 17 November,
2007, the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, is offering
classes on Native American research.
Whitney
Awards Committee Announces Awards for Authors
The Whitney Awards Committee announced
this week that it is offering seven large cash awards to be presented
to outstanding LDS authors.
LDS
Church Providing Emergency Relief to California Fire Victims
Six semi-trucks
have been dispatched to various evacuee shelters carrying a total
of more than 28,000 blankets, 26,000 hygiene kits, processed foods,
cots and other supplies to provide relief to the fire victims in
California.
BYU
Museum of Art Offers Monday Night Presentation on Minerva Teichert
The Brigham
Young University Museum of Art is offering a new Monday night program
that provides unique insights into the museum's exhibition “Minerva
Teichert: Pageants in Paint.”
Church
Responds to California Wildfires
So far, all the missionaries are
safe and the Church has stepped up to help in California's wildfires.
LDS
Church Recognizes Community Leaders for Commitment to Family
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints has honored a Catholic archbishop for his work to protect
traditional marriage and an adoption agency for their efforts to
help abused, neglected and abandoned children.
Richard
L. Bushman Named as Hunter Visiting Professor in Mormon Studies
at Claremont
Claremont Graduate
University has appointed distinguished Latter-day Saint scholar
Richard Lyman Bushman as the Howard W. Hunter Visiting Professor
in Mormon Studies in its School of Religion. Dr. Bushman will play
a key role in establishing at Claremont the first permanent, graduate-level
study of Mormonism at a secular university.
Funeral
Set for Sister Inis Egan Hunter
Funeral services for Inis Egan
Hunter, wife of Howard W. Hunter, the 14th president of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be held at the Ensign
Stake Center, 135 A. Street in Salt Lake City on Monday, 22 October
2007, at 12 noon. The funeral will be open to the public.
Book
of Mormon Lands Conference this Weekend
The Book of
Mormon Archaeological Forum (BMAF) will hold its fifth annual Book
of Mormon Lands Conference on Saturday, October 20, in Salt Lake
City, Utah. Registration begins at 8:30 AM.
Mormon
Helping Hands Project Benefits Brazilian Schools
More than 60,000
Brazilians worked together on Brazil's Independence Day under the
banner of "Mormon Helping Hands" —
a service program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
—
to make much-needed repairs at 284 schools throughout the country.
10,000
Volunteers Needed to Put Latin American Family History on the Web
FamilySearch, the world's largest repository of genealogical records,
is calling for 10,000 volunteers who can read both English and Spanish
to help index Mexican, Argentine and other Latin American records
for the Internet.
President Howard W. Hunter's Wife Dies
Inis Egan Hunter, 93, wife of Howard W. Hunter, the 14th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away peacefully this morning 14 October 2007 at her home in Laguna Hills, CA from causes incident to age.
Artwork from the Museum of Church History and Art Now Available Online
For the first time, artwork from the Museum of Church History and Art is now available online. A new partnership between the Museum and LDS Church Distribution Services makes it possible for anyone in the United States and Canada to view prints available for purchase and order over the Internet.
Old
Agriculture Books Can Enrich a Family History
Old cattle brands and markings
are one way to track down family history, and a collection of Utah
cattle brands and markings is now available online.
177th
Semi-Annual General Conference
Sunday Afternoon Session October 7, 2007
The closing session of conference
covered such wide-ranging topics as how to lure a horse with food,
how to serve by giving an example of love, and how to choose between
good activities and better ones. Read these talk excerpts and be
inspired by what your church leaders have to say.
177th
Semi-Annual General Conference
Sunday Morning Session October 7, 2007
Sunday morning's conference talks focused
on keeping a record of spiritual experiences, the conversion of
even wayward souls, and the importance of following the Prophet.
Read here for excerpts of these inspirational addresses.
177th
Semi-Annual General Conference
Priesthood Session October 6, 2007
General authorities of the Church
inspired priesthood holders to cling to the gospel and avoid the
snares of the outside world.
177th
Semi-Annual General Conference
Saturday Afternoon Session October 6, 2007
This October General Conference was
one never to be forgotten. Meridian has prepared excerpts from the
talks from each session of conference. Come and be reminded of the
wonderful talks you have just heard this past weekend. These are
excerpts from the Saturday afternoon session.
New
Calls: President Elder Henry B. Eyring, Elder Quentin L. Cook
The new member of the
First Presidency and the new member of the Twelve went to the Church
Office Building between sessions of conference to meet the press.
Meridian was there. Come and see and read about this up-front-and-personal
meeting.
By Scot Facer Proctor
177th
Semi-Annual General Conference
Saturday Morning Session October 6, 2007
Refresh
your memories of the wonderful conference sessions this past weekend.
Come and review Saturday morning's session with talks from President
Boyd K. Packer, Bishop
Richard C. Edgley, Sister Mary N. Cook, Elder Enrique R. Falabella,
Elder Spencer J. Condie, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and President
Thomas S. Monson.
New
Presidency of the Seventy Sustained
Elder Claudio R.M. Costa, Elder
Steven E. Snow and Elder Walter F. Gonzalez were all sustained by
members of the Church as new members of the Presidency of the Seventy,
the third highest governing body of the Church, in the Saturday
morning session of the 177th Semiannual General Conference.
Pakistani
Supreme Court Justice to Receive Honorary Doctorate from Southern
Virginia University
Southern Virginia
University will award the Honorable Mr. Justice Tassaduq Hussain
Jillani with an honorary doctorate for his efforts to promote constitutionalism
and the rule of law in Pakistan, as well as increased understanding
among people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Companies,
Church Team Up to Transport Goods to Peru
ASTAR Air Cargo,
Inc., has teamed up with its largest customer, DHL, to provide air
transport services for humanitarian goods provided by The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help those injured or displaced
by the recent 8.0-magnitude earthquake in Peru.
Elder
Ballard Answers Frequently Asked Questions
A series of
video clips in which an apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints addresses some of the questions most frequently
asked by the news media were made public by the Church this week.
Tabernacle
Choir Exhibit Now Showing at Washington D.C. Temple Visitors' Center
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Exhibit
is now showing at the Washington D. C. Temple Visitors’ Center
in Kensington, Maryland. Displays include wardrobe, awards, history,
leadership, tour highlights, and “Music and the Spoken Word.”
Passage
to Zarahemla Shoe Drive Announced
A drive being throughout Utah from
now through Friday, October 12th, is set to collect shoes for those
in need in Iraq.
By Bettyanne Bruin
Family
History Library to Hold Series of Free Classes on Emigration/Immigration
On Saturday,
29 September 2007, the Family History Library is offering an all-day
series of classes on Finding Your Immigrant Ancestors.
BYU
Homecoming Spectacular to feature Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra
at Temple Square
The Mormon Tabernacle
Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square appear as guest artists
for the 2007 Homecoming festivities at BYU.
“True
Blue” to Air on BYU Television
BYU Broadcasting is launching
an all new, weekly sports television show.
Hundreds
Gather to Honor Mountain Meadows Victims
Elder Henry B. Eyring addressed
a memorial service honor those who died at Mountain Meadows.
Family
History Library to Offer Free Classes on Research in Sweden
On Saturday,
22 September 2007, the Family History Library will offer a series
of classes on researching your Swedish ancestry.
Temple
Open Houses Scheduled in Rexburg and Tonga
The nearly completed temple
in Rexburg, Idaho –the 125th operating temple of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—will be open to the public
29 Dec. 2007 and continuing through 26 Jan, 2008.
Church
Donation Helps Youth Rise beyond Ghetto
Playing
the violin in a children's orchestra may have saved 7-year-old Daniel's
life. The youngster, orphaned after witnessing his mother's murder
in his slum neighborhood, found safety, comfort and future direction
in the orchestra sponsored by the Child-Citizen Project.
Temples
Rising in Remote Locations
Temples, which are
considered the most sacred places on earth, are rising in the remotest
corners of the earth.
Church
Welfare System Draws Media Attention
News media reports
show that the Church's humanitarian aid program goes well beyond
caring only for its own members. It also feeds a global humanitarian
program.
Church
Emergency Response Shows Speed, Flexibility
An earthquake
in Peru and a hurricane in Mexico within a few days of each other
demonstrated the speed and flexibility of the emergency response
procedures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
African-American
Family History Conference Takes Place Next Week
In honor of
the Dred Scott 150th anniversary, an unprecedented African-American
Family History Conference will be held in St. Louis on Saturday,
September 8, 2007. Discover Your Roots includes ten classes
and two featured speakers and is expected to attract persons from
the Midwest region and beyond.
Church
Responds to Peruvian Earthquake Disaster
The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is loading supplies, surgical
instruments, family food boxes, hygiene kits and tarps into a 747
cargo plane to be flown directly from Salt Lake City into the area
affected by a major earthquake in Peru.
Meridian
Readers Remember President Faust
Meridian readers were asked to share
their memories of President James E. Faust. They remembered him
as a kind and gentle man who touched their lives in an individual
way. Here is what they had to say.
Edited and compiled by Kathryn H. Kidd
Thousands
Bid Farewell to President Faust
Thousands of Latter-day Saints gathered
in Salt Lake City on Tuesday to celebrate the life of a man who
had been a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and an inspiration
to members of the Church throughout the world.
By Laurie
Williams Sowby
Mormon
Youth Motivated by Principles of Service
Young
members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints learn
to recognize and respond to the needs of other people as a part
of their age-appropriate Church programs.
Let
Church Members Define Their Beliefs
Using the backdrop of the Hill Cumorah Pageant held
each July in upstate New York, ABC's Dan Harris reported last week
in a story for Nightline on the attention and scrutiny
the Church is receiving.
Funeral
Services for President James E. Faust
Funeral services for President James
E. Faust of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints will be held in the Tabernacle on Temple Square
on Tuesday, 14 August 2007, at 12:00 noon. The funeral will be open
to the public.
Teachings
of President James E. Faust
President James E. Faust was a humble
man who displayed great intelligence and compassion. Although recent
years found him delivering his general conference addresses from
a big red chair, he never had the need of an intellectual or spiritual
"red chair." Here are a few of the messages he gave that
displayed this insight and inspiration.
By Kathryn H. Kidd
President
James E. Faust: July 31, 1920-August 10, 2007
President James
E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at his home Friday morning
of causes incident to age. He was surrounded by his family at the
time of his death.
Church
Helps Michigan Teen Honor Public Servants
Despite its
broad global focus, Humanitarian Services of the Church recently
responded to an unusual request, a request to build hope in the
life of a seriously ill 17-year-old young man from Roseville, Michigan.
Church
Cleanup Initiative Brings Tongans Together
An initiative
to clean up the nation, paint schools and make other improvements
to the community is helping to bring Tongans together after a period
of unprecedented rioting in which eight Tongans lost their lives.
Inner
City Missionaries Teach the World
Missionaries to the inner city teach
church members who come from villages whose names we can't pronounce,
and who speak languages we've never heard of.
By Darla Isackson
Colorado
Saints Receive National Service Award
After reviewing
hundreds of deserving nominations submitted for a national service
award, a panel of judges selected 18 winners in 12 categories. The
Aurora and Arapahoe stakes of the Church were the sole recipients
of the award in the faith-based group category.
Former
Missionaries Connect with People They Served
Responding to
the visible needs of their associates becomes second nature to most
full-time missionaries. After their missions, many of them return
to the countries where they served to help the people with medical
or basic necessities.
Florida
Youth Service Project Exemplifies Mormon Core Values
More than 600
Central Florida Mormon youth recently gathered in eight locations
to work on much-needed community conservation projects. From weed
pulling and tree planting to building demolition, the volunteers
pooled their efforts to tidy several parks as a part of their two-day
youth conference.
Elder
Dallin H. Oaks Interview Transcript from PBS Documentary
In this forthright interview, Elder
Dallin H. Oaks talks about controversial historical and doctrinal
aspects of the Church, as part of the background information that
was used in the PBS documentary, The Mormons. Among his
topics are polygamy, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and dissent
within the Church.
Southern
Virginia University Welcomes Mormon Business Author as Distinguished
Professor
When acclaimed author Jeff Benedict
starts teaching at Southern Virginia University this fall, his students
may wish that instead of writing a book about Latter-day Saint business
practices he had written “The Mormon Way to Get an A.”
President
Boyd K. Packer Interview Transcript from PBS Documentary
This fascinating
interview with President Boyd K. Packer was given as background
information for the PBS documentary, The Mormons. It tells
of President Packer's childhood experiences with polio, the inspiration
he received from pioneer ancestors, and his experiences with revelation.
Tongan
Family’s Roots of Faith
With one son
finishing a mission in Hawaii for The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints and another son preparing to leave for a mission
in Hong Kong, Vai Sikahema — former Philadelphia Eagles football
player and current sports director for NBC 10 News in Philadelphia
— felt it was time for his children to see firsthand their Tongan
family roots.
Public
to Tour Renovated Temple in Nuku’alofa, Tonga
The First Presidency
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced
a public open house for the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple, which
is under renovation.
Church
Members Work with Communities to Prepare for Hurricanes
As the National
Hurricane Center predicted a 75 percent chance that the 2007
Atlantic hurricane season will be more active than normal, members
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in hurricane
areas have spent the past few months preparing.
SVU Begins Politics Major
Southern Virginia University announces the addition of a politics major, with classes beginning this fall.
By Bryan Gentry
"Small
and Simple Things" taught at 2007 SVU Conference
Southern Virginia
University's Education Conference taught participants the power
of small and simple things.
By Bryan Gentry
Mormon
Volunteers Clean Up Mongolian Landmark
More than one
thousand members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
in Mongolia recently joined with touring members of the Brigham
Young University-Hawaii Concert Choir to remove debris from a World
War II site that honors soldiers who fell in defense of Mongolia.
One Million Missionaries — Thirteen Million Members
They are as much a symbol of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the Salt Lake Temple and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, clean-cut suit-clad young men on bikes or on foot going door to door with a gospel message. Mormon missionaries have fanned across the globe since the earliest days of the Church and in the process have reached a major milestone.
Kiev Temple Groundbreaking Coincides with Prophet's Birthday
Nearly nine years since its announcement, ground was broken for the Kiev Ukraine Temple on Saturday, June 23, 2007, coinciding with the 97th birthday of President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Washington D.C. Visitors' Center Offers “Night of Music”
Several of the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will perform sacred music surrounding the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The performance on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Washington D. C. Temple Visitors' Center in Kensington.
Choir
Tour Requires Tricky Logistics
All last week, heavily loaded
semi-trailers and smaller trucks headed out of Salt Lake City moving
east to Toronto and Cleveland with three wide-body jets following
on Thursday in order to meet up with 11 large buses as part of a
carefully developed logistics plan that had been two years in the
making.
Marriage
Network Seminar to be Held in Denver
The LDS Marriage Network will hold
its 2nd annual LDS Marriage Network Smart Marriages pre-conference
in Denver, Colorado, this week. Latter-day Saint scholars,
educators, practitioners and members are coming together to share
their knowledge and resources on strengthening marriage.
Media Focus Attention on Mormonism
News media interest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has hit new highs in the past 10 days as major television networks, news agencies, newspapers and even a radio program run by bloggers have tried to answer questions about a religion many people still do not understand.
Remembering
the Mountain Meadows Massacre
This September marks the 150th anniversary
of a terrible episode in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. On September 11, 1857, some 50 to 60 local
militiamen in southern Utah, aided by American Indian allies, massacred
about 120 emigrants who were traveling by wagon to California. The
horrific crime, which spared only 17 children age six and under,
occurred roughly 35 miles southwest of Cedar City. The victims were
on their way to California with dreams of a bright future.
By Richard E. Turley, Jr., Managing Director, Family and Church
History Department
Writing
Group Announces Prestigious New LDS Fiction Award
A new writing
award has been announced to honor the "Miltons and Shakespeares"
of LDS fiction. Readers can nominate their favorite LDS novels to
receive the 2007 Whitney Award.
The
Real God’s Army at Work
Missionaries in Washington D.C. have
become known and trusted thanks to President Bill and Sister Sid
Price's unique take on Outreach.
By Maurine Proctor
Religious
Involvement Linked to Marital Fidelity
A recent Brigham
Young University study shows how couples from Christian, Muslim,
Jewish and other religious traditions draw on their beliefs to stay
faithful to each other.
A
Service Project that Reached the World
Seventeen years
ago, RoseAnn Gunther decided to teach a group of Mormon teenage
girls the importance of sacrifice and service. She had no idea that
the girls' service project to help the homeless in their city would
turn into a community effort that would change the lives of people
all over the world.
Final
Fireside for Mission President William and Sister Sidney Price
Retiring Washington
D.C. North Mission President William D. Price and his companion
Sister Sidney Price will be the featured speakers at the Why I Believe
Fireside June 17, 2007, at 7 p.m. at the Washington D. C. Temple
Visitors' Center.
Family
History Library to Hold Free Research Series on Germany
The Family History Library is
offering an all-day series of classes on German research.
Renowned
Harvard Scholar Named as New BYU-Hawaii President
A man internationally known for his ability to solve complex managerial
problems and foresee future business trends will be taking his expertise
to the Pacific as the new president of Brigham Young University-Hawaii.
Galena Street East to Perform at Washington D.C. Visitors' Center
Galena Street East, will perform a high energy song and dance production at the Washington D. C. Temple Visitors' Center on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at 7 p.m.
Revered Statue is Background for European Mormon Choir Performance
LDS choir performs before original Christus statue in Denmark.
India
Greets LDS Missionaries with Love
A Utah couple's humanitarian service mission in India sent them
to a boarding school where they taught music and English as they
learned the meaning of love.
Celebrating
the 10th Anniversary of the St. Louis Missouri Temple
A Photographic Essay
Come celebrate with the Saints of St. Louis as we mark the 10th
Anniversary of the Dedication of their Temple.
Photography
by Scot Facer Proctor
With reporting from Dana King
(Cover photo by Bryan Highfill)
Saints Accept an Invitation to Celebrate in St. Louis
Come and see how an entire stake not only tries to live the gospel but how they celebrate it centered on the tenth anniversary of the temple in St. Louis.
By Dana King, Bureau Chief, Meridian Magazine
Photographs by Clain Petersen and Dana King
Exhibit Featuring Works by DC Area Artist to Open June 9
"Engraven Upon the Hearts, A Celebration of Filipino Heritage," will be commemorated from June 9- July 15, 2007 at the Washington Temple Visitors' Center in Kensington, Maryland.
Mormon Youth Help Eradicate Measles in Guatemala
Twenty thousand young adults from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are working with the Pan American Health Organization and the Guatemalan Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance to help eradicate measles and rubella.
Pew Forum Interviews LDS Leaders
Among the more serious recent attempts to get at
the essence of the Church's beliefs and practices is a report by
the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, which recently interviewed
two prominent leaders of the Church.
Elder
Eyring Meets Shinto Priests at Meiji Shrine
Katsushi Toyama, chief priest at
Tokyo's historic Meiji Shrine, met with Elder Henry B. Eyring during
a special event that was part of Elder Eyring's tour of Church areas
in Asia and the Pacific islands.
Religion
Instructor Teaches Old Testament in Hebrew
Some Brigham Young University-Idaho
students are learning about the Old Testament a little differently
from their peers: they are studying it in Hebrew.
Irreantum Contest Deadline Approaching
Irreantum magazine is currently accepting manuscripts for its seventh annual fiction contest. All contest entries must relate to the Mormon experience in some way, but authors need not be LDS. Any fictional form up to 8,500 words will be considered, including short stories and excerpts from novels.
BYU-Idaho
Students Nationally Recognized
Two Brigham Young University-Idaho
students received awards at the National Kitchen & Bath Association/General
Electric Student Charette competition last week. The national winners
were announced at the annual Kitchen/Bath Industry Show held in
Las Vegas.
The Rev. Al Sharpton Visits Church Headquarters
Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — the second-highest governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — hosted the Rev. Al Sharpton an | 
