North America West Area: LDS take part in Polish tour

SANTA MARIA, CALIF. - The Allan Hancock College Alumni Choir recently completed 18 concerts to "standing room only" audiences in Poland. The choir's director, Glenn A. Montague, and eight singers are LDS. Montague, a former bishop and member of the Santa Maria 2nd Ward, said the choir received commendation letters from President Reagan, Congressmen and clergy. The Rev. Rufin Abarmek, head of the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland, where the choir performed, told the choir, "The musical and spiritual impact of your singing upon many thousands of Polish people has led to a stronger sense of international brotherhood and an increased hope for peace."

North American Northeast Area: Efforts intensified in ward

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Thirty-five stake missionaries, including the stake president's wife, three former bishops and a just-released bishop's counselor and a high councilor, have been called to serve in one single unit - the Schenectady Ward. They are being bolstered by eight full-time missionaries from the Connecticut Hartford Mission. The object of this intensive missionary effort is to "accelerate the ward's growth so we can divide it," said Pres. Hyde M. Merrill of the Albany New York Stake. "The new missionaries have placed many copies of the Book of Mormon and have re-activated people we haven't seen before."

North America Northwest Area: Community rallies against porn

MEDFORD, ORE. - Community, religious and educational leaders rallied behind an effort to stop a pornographic book store from opening recently. A "model" local ordinance against such bookstores was adopted by the city, said Debi Eager, editor of the Medford 1st Ward newsletter. Ward member Ken Lindbloom, a member of the school board, helped organize the effort. Dennis Richardson, an attorney and former bishop of the nearby Central Point 2nd Ward, helped draft the ordinance, which is similar to ordinances that have been successful in other states.

North America Central Area: Small, small world

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - With an international membership, the Colorado Springs 16th Ward held a special night of fellowship under the direction of Bishop William B. McCarl. Ward members from Mexico and Germany helped others in the ward share in the theme, "Small, Small World." Food from several continents was served and the fellowshipping helped bring the ward together.

Utah South Area: Scouts entertain parents

ENOCH, UTAH - Scouts in the Enoch 3rd Ward raised money for their summer camp and entertained their parents at the same time at a recent Sweetheart Dinner Dance. The 26 Scouts of the troop put on the dinner, had western dancing and cleaned up the hall afterward, said Scoutmaster Dave Dial.

North America Southwest Area: 75 years of Scouting noted

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - The recent observance of 75 years of Scouting in the Church drew attention here. San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros declared the week of Feb. 14 as "Mormon Scouting Week" in San Antonio. Mayor Pro-tem Yolonda Vera presented an official proclamation to Pres. Jan M. Sterneckert of the San Antonio West Stake. The proclamation cited the Church for its vital support of the Scouting program, for its many accomplishments in the community, and for giving young men the opportunity to belong to a worthwhile organization at a critical age in their lives.

North America Southeast Area: First dedication nears

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - On May 8, the Church plans to dedicate the first LDS meetinghouse to be built in the Bahamas, said Pres. Robert E. Coates of the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission. The meetinghouse will be located on Nassau's New Providence Island. The meetinghouse will serve the Nassua Branch, an English-speaking unit of about 80 members; and the Soldier Road Branch, a French Creole-speaking unit with about 60 members. Six full-time elders serve in Nassau. Pres. Coates also said the first two full-time missionaries were sent March 9 to open Freeport, a city of about 150,000 people on the Grand Bahama Island. There are five members in Freeport.

United Kingdom/Ireland/Africa Area: Family history work increases

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Members throughout the United Kingdom have increased activity in the family history program. "During 1987, there were more than 20,000 names submitted to the temple; in the first two months of this year, there have been just over 10,000 names submitted," said Eric Cryer, recently released as regional representative of the Birmingham and Leicester regions in England. "The family history centers are reporting increases in the number of members using those facilities. I think the increased effort is due to the emphasis that General Authorities placed on family history as they addressed stake conferences last year."

Europe Area: Pace quickens in Spain

MADRID, SPAIN - "The work is going great throughout all Spain," reported Elder Charlie R. Lewis, regional representative in the Madrid Spain region. "The Seville Spain Stake, the third stake in the country, was formed in February by combining two districts. That was a very historic moment because this is the land that Columbus left from on his voyage to the New World where the gospel eventually was restored." Elder Lewis said activity throughout the new stake is high. "One area, Cadiz, has been particularly faithful in its activity. It has 98 percent activity in the Melchizedek Preisthood, and 54 members from Cadiz are serving full-time missions. The first mission in Spain was organized in 1970. For many years the work was very slow, but in the past year the pace has quickened."

Asia Area: Baptisms steadily increase

TOKYO, JAPAN - Baptisms have increased steadily in the Japan Tokyo North Mission in recent years due to joint efforts by members and missionaries, said mission Pres. Lamont W. Moon. "In 1987, we were pleased to see baptisms increase 30 percent. We were especially pleased that 66 percent of those baptized were men - potential priesthood holders." Pres. Moon said the stakes are working very closely with missionaries. As a result new converts will be better fellowshipped and will more likely remain active. One stake recently called more than 43 stake missionaries.

Brazil Area: Members strengthened

RECIFE, BRAZIL - Missionaries working closely with stake leaders recently presented a slide show and music outlining the plan of salvation, said Elder Brian Kay of the Brazil Recife Mission. In the presentation, missionaries narrated slides and sang songs to illustrate concepts about pre-mortal life, the fall of Adam and the Atonement. More than 1,200 people attended during the three presentations in the Recife and Boa Viagem stakes. Stake leaders were pleased with the event and have seen a return to activity by some of their members.

Philippines/Micronesia Area: CES coordinator begins

MOEN, TRUK ISLANDS - The Church Educational System is sending a full-time coordinator to train teachers and set up seminary and institute programs throughout Micronesia. He will instruct institute and seminary classes in the Truk area, where he will make his headquarters. The classes were previously taught and supervised by missionaries - mostly missionary couples. The did a good job establishin foundations for the program, said Bruce Lake, a CES area coordinator. CES leaders hope to expand the program in Micronesia even further.

South America South Area: Music, poetry contest

GODOY CRUZ, ARGENTINA - A sweet spirit was expressed by entrants in the Godoy Cruz Argentina Stake's Relief Society poetry and music writing contest, said stake leaders. The women have shown the importance of developing and actively sharing their talents. The poetry and songs written were presented at a special evening for the stake Relief Society. First place winner was Ana Maria Riveros of the San Ignacio Ward.