Priesthood and Relief Society leaders in the Taylor Arizona Stake have teamed up in their efforts to implement the literacy effort in their stake. In correspondence to Pres. Jack and the Church News, Pres. Lewis N Tenney Jr. explained the growth and blessings of the stake's literacy effort. "We have put into place and operation the Church's literacy program. The success of the program is beyond our wildest imagination," Pres. Tenney said.

Adopting as their theme Mosiah 4:26, stake leaders "custom fit this program to meet the needs and wants of others - to the person who wants to learn to read but has been afraid to ask, to the person who needs help in spelling and writing, to those who do not speak English and have a desire to learn."Pres. Tenney related success stories, including the following: "[One member was] a successful man who had raised a large family and been a good provider. He knew lots of sight words but had almost no skill to decode. He had been struggling to read the Book of Mormon for the last two years. After two months, he is reading from the Book of Mormon with very few errors. He comes quietly, he leaves quietly, but with dignity and increased ability."

QUEENSTOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Literacy classes in the Sada Branch of the Queenstown District in the South Africa Cape Town Mission draw both Latter-day Saints and investigators. Teaching these classes - for both adults and youth - for some time now has been Sister Grace Bell, who is serving a full-time mission here with her husband, Elder John Bell.

In a recent letter to the Relief Society general offices in Salt Lake City, Sister Bell told of one lady, Rosey, who wanted to take the discussions, which are in English, but who only spoke Xhosa, a local dialect.

"In just a few short months of faithful attendance, at both the literacy class and Sunday service, she has reached the stage where she has sufficient competence to read, write and to express herself in English.

"Rosey has made exceptional progress, and today

I useT her to interpret for others when the need arises. To us this is the gospel in action and strengthens our testimonies when we see the manifestations of the Spirit reflected in people such as Rosey."

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

In October 1994, the Colorado Springs (Colo.) 5th Ward was designated the ward for members in the vicinity with hearing impairments. Soon, the number of members with hearing impairments began to rise, and recently released Bishop A. William Parry became concerned over the low enrollment in ward interpreter training classes.

Sensing members's fear to learn a "new language," the ward Relief Society presidency asked the chorister, Lorie Puckett, to use the music practice segment of Sunday Relief Society meetings to teach music in sign language.

Soon, a mini-lesson was given each week where five new words were taught and practice sentences done, and, later, sentences were substituted with a verse from the Sunday School reading assignment. "Between the singing and the signing of hymns and signing the scriptures, the momentum began to grow. The deaf awareness class, which was once sparsely attended, now has new sisters and brothers joining at a regular rate," explained a letter to the Relief Society general offices.

SAN PEDRO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

"Can't imagine not being able to read," "A vital part of life," "Reading helps in teaching and bringing families into the Church," "They love God and want to learn about and follow the Lord."

These comments from literacy students and local leaders in the Dominican Republic aptly describe the benefits of the Church's Gospel Literacy Effort here. Throughout this Caribbean nation, missionaries and local Church leaders have held literacy classes and have experienced touching successes.

For example, a full-time missionary taught one young man how to read. That young man is now a Young Men president who testified that reading has helped him better prepare for life in general. In another area, a Relief Society sister expressed love for her literacy teacher because the student could now buy the kind of soap she wants. Before that, store clerks consistently gave her the wrong kind.

KUNA, IDAHO

Glennis Wells of the Kuna 3rd Ward, Kuna Idaho Stake, was described as a "true delight" in a letter from Lucy Christensen, stake Relief Society president, to Carma Hales of the Relief Society general board.

According to the letter, the 79-year-old Sister Wells learned another "language" - that of computers and other new technology in recent years so she could work for the Church's extraction program. From 1995-1996, she had a reader and microfiche machine in her bedroom at home for the extraction work. Stake leaders are now preparing space at the stake center for extraction work.

"Not only did she spend many hours extracting information from the records and checking the cards, but she has been teaching the gospel doctrine class in her ward for the past 10 years . . . ," Sister Christensen wrote. "She was widowed five years ago, but remains very challenged with her Church callings and her four children, 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

"Her advancing years have only magnified her knowledge, service and love for the Lord."

PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA

"Sitting together on wooden benches in an outside area surrounded by banana and papaya trees, sisters of all ages, including several young women, join in a two-hour alternative Relief Society class each Sunday in Branch 4, Port Harcourt Nigeria Stake. In this class, they develop greater self-reliance as they participate in the Gospel Literacy Effort."

These words by Anne C. Pingree, whose husband, George C. Pingree, serves as president of the Nigeria Port Harcourt Mission, to the Church News describes literacy efforts in this African nation. "Besides learning literacy skills that will make these Nigerian Relief Society sisters more self-reliant, the women are learning how to strengthen their families by gaining testimonies of the Book of Mormon."

SALT LAKE CITY

Building self-confidence is not an occurrence, it's an ongoing process, said Jim McGowan of the Millcreek 7th Ward, Salt Lake Millcreek Stake. And an important part of this process is regular scripture study, added the 27-year-old.

About 21/2 years ago, Brother McGowan was called as ward Sunday School president, and he was nervous. Not only was he responsible for directing the teachers in the ward, but he also substituted at times. And he had never taught gospel doctrine before. But through increased personal study, he said, his faith, testimony and confidence have grown. Scripture study, he added, "helps you feel closer to the Lord and helps you have the Holy Ghost with you more."

In addition, he's learned, "I'm just as important as everyone else in the eyes of God."