LDS help promote family time

NAGOYA, Japan — The Japan Ministry of Education recently instituted a family movement throughout this country. To help families better deal with family problems and challenges, the government is encouraging people to have "Family Day" once a month.

Church members here, who have enjoyed rich experiences and blessings by having weekly "family home evening," responded to this national call by organizing the "Family Movement Committee" to share LDS family insights with the general public.

As part of the committee, Lee W. and Gayle S. Farnsworth, who are serving as missionaries in Japan; Kent Derricot, a popular entertainer; Yasuo Goto, president of the Nagoya Japan West Stake; and David F. Evans, president of the Japan Nagoya Mission, met with Shinichiro Ono, vice governor of Gifu Prefecture, to talk about the movement. Mr. Ono received a Japanese copy of the Family Home Evening Resource Book and a videotape in which Brother Derricot demonstrates family home evening with three Japanese members.

Their meeting was a success. Brother Derricot was later invited to speak at the Youth Fosterage Conference of Gifu Prefecture sponsored by the prefectural government. He was also invited to meet with the mayor of Kakamigahara City and other city officials.

Members re-enact events of century

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Members of the Anaheim California East Stake commemorated the end of the century with a day-long "Millennial Extravaganza" held here recently. Stake president Robert E. Green conceived the idea for the event last spring and organized a planning committee to oversee its various components, which included temple work, service projects, an open house at the stake center for current and former stake members and a millennial ball.

Some months prior to the event, President Green challenged members of his stake to submit 2,000 names for temple ordinances by the end of the year. Stake members surpassed their goal by more than 1,000 names.

As part of the celebration, members also entertained residents at a local residential home with a program which highlighted the events of the 20th Century. "We wanted the program both to entertain the senior citizens and help our youth understand and appreciate the significance of events that occurred during their parents' and grandparents' lives."

Children find joy in service

CARY, N.C. — Primary children in the Cary 2nd Ward, Raleigh North Carolina Stake, recently worked to help the people here who were affected by Hurricane Floyd. They made lap-size quilts for other children and their families living in Princeville, N.C.

During the project, each child had the opportunity to either stamp, tie or sew the quilts from donated materials. The Primary children's parents, siblings and neighbors also participated in the effort, which culminated with the completion of more than 100 quilts.

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