Utah North Area: Young women beautify grounds

KEARNS, UTAH - Young women in the Kearns Utah Western Hills Stake recently created a many-colored flower garden while promoting the Young Women values, said stake Pres. Timothy W. Sullivan.

Pres. Sullivan, a professional nurseryman, arranged for a plot of ground at the stake center to be prepared for the flower garden, and then on a recent Saturday, some 40 young women gathered to plant almost 1,000 flowers - petunias, ageratum, dahlias, marigolds, salvias and day lillies, along with fountain grass.

The young women are responsible for caring for the garden. They will plant spring bulbs in the fall and replace the annuals next summer, said Pres. Sullivan.

"It really is beautiful," he said. "I wish more members would take part in beautifying the buildings."

North America Central Area: Stake assists in cleaning capitol

DES MOINES, IOWA - In conjunction with the Des Moines Area Religion Council, the Des Moines Iowa Stake rallied May 6 at the state capitol for a morning of sweeping and raking.

Approximately 250 people turned out to help clean up the grounds at the capitol. A dump-truck load of sand was swept up during the effort.

After the work was completed the group gathered on the front steps of the capitol to eat sack lunches and enjoy a beautiful view of the city. They sang "Come, Come Ye Saints," a hymn written in southern Iowa 160 years ago by William Clayton as the Mormon Pioneers headed westward to the Salt Lake Valley. Presidents Andrew Hall and Douglas Reagan of the stake presidency addressed the group, commenting on the opportunity to serve the community and fellowship with other stake members. The day's activities included lunch and a tour of the capitol, including a 130-step climb into the dome and a look into the governor's office.

North America Northeast Area: Appreciation expressed

WILLIAMSBURG, VA. - "You Ought to be in Pictures" was the theme for Youth Appreciation Night, a recent evening of tribute to the young men and young women of the Williamsburg Ward, Newport News Virginia Stake. After a roast beef dinner served by members of the bishopric and the stake president, the guests of honor were treated to an 18-minute video, made up of more than 400 candid photos taken of the young men and women over four years. The leaders made the video so the youth could see themselves "as we have seen them." As a final treat, a copy of the video was presented to each youth.

North America Southwest Area: Musical doubles as charity drive

GALLUP, N.M. - A recent musical production in the Gallup New Mexico Stake doubled as entertainment and a community-wide charity drive, with those who came donating cans of food in exchange for tickets.

Some 1,400 people attended three evening performances and one matinee of "The Music Man," with about 75 percent of the audiences being non-LDS. More than 1,600 cans of food were collected and turned over to three non-profit organizations - Catholic Charities, The Christian Child Care Home and Battered Families, a shelter for battered women and their children.

"This was a perfect Church effort in so many ways," said Deenise Becenti Buffington, the musical's publicity coordinator. The 70-member cast and 24-member orchestra - many being non-LDS - had practiced since early March for the production. The musical's director, Ranae Holgate Christensen, said the event was an "LDS gift to the area. With the community's help, it turned out to be more than we had ever hoped for."

North America Southeast Area: Computer program donated

SALISBURY, N.C. - The LDS FamilySearch software was donated to the Rowan Public Library here to supplement the library's records. The library is one of the few libraries in the South with collections of courthouse records not destroyed by the Civil War.

The software was donated by members of the Salisbury Ward, who recognized the value it would provide for the library. Computer equipment was donated by a genealogical society.

The library has a staff trained to help visitors with the program. Evelyn T. Stallings, genealogy librarian at the library, said, "There is so much information - it is mind-boggling. It is hypnotizing. This is wonderful because the system might tell you something you never knew before, and you can take the information and go farther."

Africa Area: Pro golfer addresses fireside

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Gary Player, a world-famous golfer, and his wife, Vivienne, addressed 2,300 people at a fireside at the Sandton Ward May 18. The golfer expressed his faith, and said he was grateful that his daughter, Amanda, is serving full-time in the New Jersey Morristown Mission.

Also speaking was Elder J. Richard Clarke of the Seventy and president of the Africa Area, who discussed the 175th anniversary of the First Vision of Joseph Smith.

Player, who is not a member of the Church, noted that his wife, Vivienne, has been a member since 1994.

The golfer said, "I have made many friends from your Church on the golf circuit, and I shall always defend the Mormons because of your way of life and the example you set the world."

Sister Player described the peace and inner joy she has experienced since her baptism.

Philippines/Micronesia Area: Puppets teach health practices

ILAGAN, PHILIPPINES - Missionaries in the Philippines Ilagan Mission decided to have fun in their service projects and developed a puppet show to teach good health practices. The humorous show features two puppets, one healthy from following good hygiene practices, and the other unhealthy due to improper health habits.

The popular 45-minute show is presented regularly in public locations by the missionaries.

Europe Area: Exhibit to share LDS beliefs

FRANKFURT, GERMANY - More than 3 million people throughout Europe are expected to see a new Church traveling exhibit that will be presented at 10 trade shows in Germany, Austria and Switzerland throughout 1995.

According to Gabriele Sirtl, the Church's director of public affairs for Western Europe, the exhibit emphasizes the importance of a strong family unit and illustrates the LDS belief in the Savior.

The exhibit was designed by Dutch artist and wood sculptor, Johannes Mollemans, a former bishop in Holland now living in Friedrichdorf, Germany.

Explaining the theme of the exhibit, Brother Mollemans said: "We find great joy in knowing if we live our lives according to the gospel, we can live forever with our loved ones in our Heavenly Father's mansions."