North America West Area

Clippers aid missionary fund

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

The Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association hosted a LDS member/missionary night during a game with the Portland Trailblazers Feb. 21. Some 4,000 members and friends from more than 55 Los Angeles area stakes attended the game.

Following the game, Clippers Assistant Coach John Hammond presented a check for $4,100 from the game's receipts for the Church's general missionary fund. The donation was a percentage of the ticket sales to Church members who attended. A representation of the check was accepted by Danny Ainge of the Trailblazers and Elder Vern Curtis, regional representative.

Ainge, a BYU alumnus and a stake missionary in the Lake Oswego Oregon Stake, spoke briefly, emphasizing the importance of keeping his career in proper perspective.

During an interview following presentation of the check, Hammond said, "It was great to see so many people at the game who represent the type of values we all encourage."

The national anthem was sung prior to the game by a barbershop quartet from the Newport Beach California Stake. The color guard was provided by a Boy Scout troop from the Garden Grove 7th Ward, Garden Grove California Stake.

Utah Central Area

Youth honor grandmothers

SANDY, UTAH

In an unusual twist on the typical queen pageant, Young Men and Young Women in the Brighton 11th Ward recently honored their grandmothers. Pamela Francis, Mrs. Utah of 1988 and a finalist in the Mrs. America Pageant, was emcee. She invited the reigning Mrs. Utah, Kimberly Miller, to co-host the event.

"The format was most unusual since the purpose was not to pick a winner, but rather to honor all of the grandmothers who participated," said Randy Waltman, ward Young Men president. "The grandmothers were introduced with a brief history on each. Each was then asked a question regarding motherhood, family values, qualities they looked for in selecting their spouses, or lessons they'd learned throughout their life.

"It was enlightening and lots of fun. Each of the youth read a special tribute to his or her grandmother that pointed out a quality they most admired. The youth then gave their grandmother a flower combination and a hug and a kiss."

North America Northeast Area

Stake finds acceptance

PALMYRA, N.Y.

The Rochester New York Palmyra Stake recently began participating with the new Inter-Faith Council of the Rochester area. Stake Pres. Rollo Black was among the speakers at a recent program where Christian and non-Christian faiths combined to commemorate the bicentennial of the signing of the Bill of Rights.

Also, a "Community Prayer Convocation" was recently presented to a gathering of more than 2,500. At the convocation, religious leaders encouraged people to ask for divine guidance in behalf of newly elected public officials. Singers from the Pittsford Ward joined an 80-voice choir that performed.

"These experiences reflect a new acceptance of the Church in the Rochester-Palmyra area," said Marshall and Arline Brinton, New York Rochester Mission public affairs directors.

North America Northwest Area

1,500 at regional gathering

MARYSVILLE, WASH.

Relief Society is "not to change the world out there" but "to change the world in here," Sister Chieko N. Okazaki said as she placed her hand over her heart.

Sister Okazaki, first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, was a main speaker at the Mt. Vernon Washington Region Relief Society conference held Feb. 7-8 at the Marysville Washington Stake center. About 1,500 women from seven stakes attended.

She shared some of her personal history and the challenges of growing up as a Japanese in Hawaii during World War II.

She said the goal of Relief Society is to turn each of the 3 million members of the women's organization to women who think creatively to solve problems, to feel identified as daughters of God and to make wise choices in families.

During the leadership session, Sister Okazaki displayed a chart prepared in 1981 of LDS households that indicated only 19 percent of the households in the Church were comprised of two parents married in the temple, with children. "If we are running programs for the 19 percent," she related, "the other 81 percent don't fit in."

Barbara Thompson of the Relief Society general board and Elder William Bush, regional representative, also spoke during the sessions.

Asia Area

Missionary on postcard

SAPPORO, JAPAN

It was a surprise to Elder Greg Hoch, serving in the Japan Sapporo Mission, to see himself pictured on an official postcard advertising the Sapporo Snow Festival in northern Japan. While visiting the festival, the missionary wasn't aware that a professional photographer had taken his picture.

Annually the people of the Sapporo area carve detailed snow and ice sculptures of such scenes as the Great Wall of China and statues of American presidents. Missionaries serving on the island of Hokkaido feel fortunate to see this event.

"I love the Japanese and their rich culture," Elder Hoch said. "I especially love teaching them the gospel and seeing joy come into their lives."

Philippines/Micronesia Area

Island women's conference

MOEN, TRUK

Some 80 Relief Society sisters from two districts and 10 branches of the Namoneas Chuuk District recently attended a conference at the Mwan meeting house here.

For many of them, it was the first women's conference they had ever attended. Many had never met one another previously. At the conference they enjoyed classes and workshops on crafts, music, cooking and sewing. Later they held a talent showcase that featured dancing, singing and dramatic performances.

On the same day, some 50 young women from the area held a conference as well. While their mothers were meeting, the young women prepared food. When the women completed their conference, they prepared food for the young women.

Mexico Area

Growth prompts efforts

OAXACA, MEXICO

Leaders here are working hard to accommodate the growing Church, said Elder Jorge David Arrevillaga, regional representative. He said more than 11,000 members now live in two Oaxaca stakes, and others in Tapachula and Juchitan in southern Mexico. The first stake in the region, Oaxaca, was created in 1981.

He said leaders' efforts include a literacy program for the general membership that is underway. Also, stake members are encouraged to attend the temple as often as they can.

Members of the Oaxaca and Juchitan stakes journey to the Mexico City Temple two or three times a year, while those in Tapachula visit the Guatemala City Temple about the same number of times.

Activation efforts are also emphasized. Since the stakes don't reach a high percentage of less-active families through home teaching, full-time missionaries visit at least two such families each week. Stakes have a goal to reactivate one-tenth of the less-active families each year, said Elder Arrevillaga.

Brazil Area

Announcer spotlights Church

RIO CLARO, BRAZIL

For the past three years, a non-member radio announcer, Valdir de Lima Pensando, who is known on the radio as Liminha, broadcasts Church public service and other gospel messages over radio Clube de Rio Claro. Another non-member, Claudio Sergio, plays background music on the guitar during the broadcasts.

The program is presented during a country music show and is popular with listeners who frequently call into the station to ask for more information. Church leaders expressed their appreciation to Mr. Lima for his service to the Church. Readers from around the world are invited to submit news items and photos for this feature on Church events worldwide. Submissions should include a telephone number of someone who can be contacted for additional information. Items should be mailed to Church News, "From Around the World," P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. Fax No. (801) 237-2121.