Europe Area

Sisters featured on radio

ISLE OF BORNHOLM, DENMARK - Missionaries Julie Ann Stubbs and Bonnie Lelece McLarrin, serving here in the Denmark Copenhagen Mission, were recently featured on the radio, singing a duet of a hymn they sang at a baptismal service. They've also been featured in a local newspaper, and the article included the beliefs of the Church. In the publicity, reporters noted that the island has a congregation of 30 members, under the direction of Pres. Franz Boving. "Missionary work strengthens us, and strengthens our testimonies," the missionaries told reporters.

Philippines/Micronesia Area

Branch increases to 280

SAIPAN, NORTHERN MARIANAS ISLANDS - The Church continues to grow on the island of Saipan, the seat of government for the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. Starting with only a handful of members, the branch now has increased to a congregation of 280, necessitating an addition to the meetinghouse that will be finished this fall. Much of the strength of the branch comes from members moving to Saipan, which has about 19,000 residents. The multi-cultural branch has members from Pohnpei, Truk, Palau, the Caroline Islands, the United States, American Samoa, the Philippines and Saipan itself. Educator Hermann Arp of American Samoa serves as branch president. He feels the cultural diversity in the branch shows the worldwide scope of the Church.

South America North

Youth serve 'mini-mission'

CARACAS, VENEZUELA - A program where local youths spend part of their school vacation serving with full-time missionaries is helping to bolster the work in the Venezuela Caracas Mission, said Pres. D.H. Asay. pres. Asay said as many as two dozen youths from the mission will serve 30- to 60-day "mini-missions" as companions to full-time missionaries. "These young people have been well prepared by the seminary program," said Pres. Asay. "They have been a great help to us."

North America Southwest Area

Temple counselors called

MESA, ARIZ. - New counselors in the presidency of the Arizona Temple have been called, to begin serving Sept. 1. They are G. Steven Tanner, 70, of the Ahwatukee Ward, Tempe Arizona South Stake, and James Sorensen, 62, a member of the Phoenix 20th Ward, Phoenix Arizona North Stake. The callings complete reorganization of the temple presidency, pres. Nephi S. Allen having been called in June.

North America Northwest Area

A missionary ward

PRATT, WYO. - A small ward located in western Wyoming, just across the Idaho border, will soon have 6 percent of its membership serving missions. The Pratt Ward of the Driggs Idaho Stake is located in a wooded canyon near the base of the majestic Tetons. "The ward's membership is right at 200," said Bishop William P. Hunt. "We have 10 full-time missionaries in the field and two members who are leaving shortly."

North America West Area

Fellowship brings converts

FULLERTON, CALIF. - The Fullerton Deaf Branch has exceeded its annual goal of eight converts for the year in just seven months, said Paul W. Miller, high council advisor. In addition, three more converts are expected soon. The branch meets in a newly dedicated building and "the fellowship is unbelievable," said Miller. Most of the converts are young adult age. In addition, the branch will observe the second temple marriage of branch members this month.

Brazil Area

Leader serves in high post

FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - Pres. Moroni Bing Torgan of the Fortaleza Brazil Stake has been named secretary of public security in the Ceara State by the governor. The 32-year-old leader is the highest-positioned Church member in the state government. He is a returned missionary and was called as stake president in 1985. In his post, he will supervise the federal police in the state.

South America South Area

Home teachers never miss

MOR DEL PLATA, ARGENTINA - Home teaching partners Rafael Salvioli, 90, and Francisco Vidal Cunningham, 84, of the Mar del Plata 2nd Ward, have had 100 percent home teaching for the past seven years. "They have captured the vision that home teaching is a sacred calling," said their leaders.

Pacific Area

Re-opens after 35 years

CLARE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA - A branch that was closed for 35 years has been re-opened here. The Clare Branch had been opened in 1953, but it was closed after only a few months. The branch was revived recently when Ken West, a local member who drove some 75 miles to attend Church in Adelaide, followed the mission president's admonition to share the gospel with his neighbors. West taught and baptized neighbors living on each side of his home. After those baptisms, a missionary couple, Elder and Sister Lewis V. Nord, and two other missionaries were sent to Clare. They contacted about 50 people who had been associated with the branch in its earlier days. About 30 members and investigators are now attending branch meetings, which are held in a home.

North America Central Area

150 attend singles meet

NAUVOO, ILL.

Nearly 150 people attended the first single adult conference in the Nauvoo Stake June 17-19. Activities included a musical readers theater by Nauvoo Restoration Inc., a talk by stake Pres. Hugh Pierce, a historical presentation by C. Michael Trapp, owner of the Nauvoo Grapevine newspaper, and seminars by full-time missionaries. A buffet and formal dance featured decorations that included an 18-foot-high replica of the Nauvoo Temple.

North America Northeast

Choirs help town celebrate

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. - Two choirs from the Middletown Branch, Yorktown New York Stake, helped the town celebrate its 100th anniversary July 1 by participating in a Gospel Concert. A children's choir from the branch, located in a town about 50 miles northwest of New York City, performed three numbers, as did an adult choir made up of both members and non-members. A full house of more than 1,000 townspeople attended the event.

Utah North Area

Visitors center continues

OGDEN, UTAH - When renovation on the Ogden Tabernacle began this spring, the visitors center located in the tabernacle's foyer moved into a nearby remodeled shed. Films and videos are presented in the shed, and visitors are taken on a tour of the adjacent temple grounds, said G. Albert Wimmer, director of the visitors center. He said the center's 117 guides have worked under adverse conditions to accomodate visitors. The visitors center is remaining opened during the renovation because brochures about the center had been sent to travel agencies, he said. When the tabernacle is completed this fall, the center will move back into the tabernacle.

Utah South Area

Visitors welcomed to old store

MOAB, UTAH

Taking advantage of heavy tourist traffic in scenic southeastern Utah, the Utah South Mission has established a temporary visitors center in an old fabric store on Main Street in Moab. The center, which includes displays about basic gospel principles and programs, has attracted thousands of people, resulting in numerous teaching opportunities. The response has been so favorable that extra full-time missionaries have been sent to Moab for the summer. According to one missionary, most visitors are French and German, so tracts and copies of the Book of Mormon are available in their languages. "A lot of people are being taught," said Moab Region Public Communications Director Mike Areheart. Auxiliaries in the Moab Utah Stake have assisted the missionaries by putting together several attractive displays, including one placed in the front window of the former store.