Asia Area
Donation for quake relief
HONG KONG - A contribution of $20,000 was recently donated by the Church for relief from effects of a devastating earthquake in Yunnam, southwest China, in February that destroyed thousands of homes. The contribution was presented by Elder Patrick Wong, area authority, to Wang Xiqing, deputy head of the executive and finance department of Xinhua News Agency, which serves as a donation collection agency.
During the presentation, Mr. Wang thanked the Church for its consideration and generosity to the Chinese people. He remembered a donation from the Church two years ago for relief of a flood in 1994.
Elder Jerry and Sister Donetta Wheat, public affairs missionaries in Hong Kong, assisted in the presentation.
Philippines/Micronesia Area
Radio program features youth
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - A radio program called "Especially for Youth" sponsored by the Church and started in September 1994, is continuing to emphasize exemplary young members on the program. On the program, young members and their friends discuss topics relevant to young people today, according to David Fewster, director of public affairs and producer of the program.
Each month, one of the participants is selected and honored as a "Young Achiever," he said.
Pacific Area
Tech pioneer speaks
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Technology pioneer Alan Ashton - the co-founder of Word Perfect Corp. - discussed the impact of technological change on family life and values, community well-being, business organizations and national identity during a recent Church-organized visit to Australia and New Zealand.
He is director of Novell Inc. and president of the Brigham Young University 14th Stake.
Pres. Ashton visited with national and state government leaders in meetings arranged by local Church leaders and members. He also spoke to hundreds of business organizations about the information revolution.
Local Latter-day Saint leaders reported that Pres. Ashton's tour opened the doors to alliances with community leaders who have values similar to those of members of the Church. They indicated that the opportunity was created for the Church to work with community leaders to create a social environment where people would be supported in their efforts to live good lives. That included working to protect the public from inappropriate influences in new technological developments.
Mexico North Area
Stake's centennial celebrated
COLONIA JUAREZ, MEXICO - A two-day celebration of the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Colonia Juarez Mexico Stake, the second created out of the United States, was held recently. Displays, a centennial book, athletic competitions and a mariachi band were featured, and a barbecue beef dinner was served to some 2,000 people during the celebration.
Elder Andrew W. Peterson of the Seventy, second counselor in the Mexico North Area presidency, spoke at a fireside. Other speakers were Colonia Juarez Stake Pres. Meredith Romney, and Pres. Carl Call of the adjoining Colonia Dublan Mexico Stake. The Dublan stake was created from the Colonia Juarez stake in 1990. The speakers told of the sacrifices of those pioneers who paved the way for the present, and encouraged members to continue to share the gospel.
Mexico South Area
Former missionaries contribute
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - Missionary tradition is strong among former missionaries to Spanish speaking people.
Former missionaries to Mexico have donated upwards of $90,000 to a variety of projects to benefit the Church in Mexico, including a missionary fund, a temple clothing fund and a fund for microfilm reading machines, said Eileen D. Harlow, secretary of the Ex-Mexican Missionaries.
Among this group are a number of descendants of the first two missionaries to Spanish-speaking people, Elder Parley P. Pratt and Elder Rufus Allen, who preached in Chile in 1852. Although the efforts of these early missionaries bore no fruit, their descendants played important parts in taking the gospel to Spanish-speaking people. Elder Pratt's son, Helaman, presided over the Mexican Mission from 1884-86, and was later followed by two grandchildren, Rey L. Pratt, 1907-34, and Harold W. Pratt, 1934-38. Seven of Harold Pratt's children served in Mexico. In addition, several of Elder Allen's grandchildren have served in Chile.
North America Southeast Area
Harmonizing voices
PENSACOLA, FLA. - Members of the Pensacola Florida Stake joined singers from various faiths as they took part in a recent program, "Black History, an Important Part of American History."
The singers presented spirituals, such as "Go Down, Moses," "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen," and "Every Time I Feel the Spirit."
At the program, mutual Christian values were discussed, as well as such topics as the meaning of Negro Spirituals.
An exhibit featured black inventors and their inventions. More than 400 people attended the program.
North America Southwest Area
Mormon Fort plans complete
LAS VEGAS, NEV. - Site preservation and stronger interpretation of history are aspects of the master plan recently completed by Nevada State Parks for the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort. The newly completed master plan, which will guide development and preservation of the city's birthplace well into the next century, will focus on critical periods of the fort's history, and its role in the development of southern Nevada. All occupants of the fort will be represented: Native American, Mormon, Ranch, Railroad and Bureau of Reclamation.
In the reconstruction included in the master plan, Las Vegas Creek will be relocated near its original channel and will flow with the help of a recirculation pump. On the fort's north wall will be an interpretive display featuring the Mormon era. Visitors will enter a gate as visitors did a century ago. Other displays will also be built.
Footings of early buildings, such as the ranch house, that are still intact will be preserved and exhibited.
The fort was built by Mormon pioneers in 1855 as an Indian mission outpost and way station. The mission was disbanded 1856-57.
North America West Area
Sisters support community
NILAND, CALIF. - The small Relief Society of the Bombay Beach Branch is doing its part to support the community. The 15 sisters in the branch recently cut and sewed 76 cloth duffle bags for children who are in the custody of courts in El Centro, Calif. The children are in the Betty Jo McNeece Receiving Home. Previously, the sisters donated 29 lap quilts and 75 cloth carriers for wheelchairs at a rest home in Brawley, Calif.
The branch in Southern California's Imperial Valley is composed mostly of members who spend their winters in the area.
Utah South Area
Interest in temple increases
VERNAL, UTAH - As progress continues on the building of the Vernal Utah Temple, which is being constructed from the old Uintah Stake Tabernacle, members' interest is increasing, said Malry L. McKeachnie, vice chairman of the temple committee. Members in wards are taking more interest in family history research and in temple work, he said. A number of firesides about the new temple have been held throughout the temple district.
Ground was broken May 13, 1995, for a new temple in the Unitah Basin, which is being built from the existing and unoccupied Uintah Stake Tabernacle, dedicated in 1907 by President Joseph F. Smith.
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