PROVO, UTAH

John Rosenberg, dean of the College of Humanities at Brigham Young University, was recently presented the Officer's Cross of the Order of Civil Merit by His Excellency D. Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo, ambassador to the United States from Spain, on behalf of his Majesty King Juan Carlos I and the Government of Spain.

The award, which was presented at the Spanish Embassy in Washington, D.C., was established in 1926 by King Alfonso XIII and honors both Spanish citizens and foreign subjects whose extraordinary efforts have served the interests of Spain.

Dean Rosenberg has written three books and many journal articles and has lectured in Spain and throughout the United States on Spanish literature and cultural history.

To encourage more couples to serve full-time missions and to improve their missionary experience, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve approved changes affecting senior missionary service and housing. Implementation of the policies are scheduled to go in effect September 1, 2011, Additional changes may be announced in the future.

Length of service and transportation costs

Old policy: Senior couples given calls to serve a mission outside of their country of residence were called for at least 18 months. Transportation to and from the field was paid by the Church.

New policy: Senior couples may now serve a mission outside of their country of residence for a shorter term of 6 or 12 months but must pay for transportation costs to and from the field. Transportation costs for terms of 18 or 23 months will continue to be paid by the Church.

Missionary housing costs

Old policy: Housing costs (including rent, utilities, and furnishings) associated with a senior couple's assigned area of service were paid completely by the missionary couple. For example, if a couple was assigned to work in New York City, N.Y., with expenses of $2,800 per month, the couple would pay the full amount to cover the expense.

New policy: Local leaders responsible for senior missionaries will secure housing and pay all housing costs (including rent, utilities, and furnishings). Missionary couples will then reimburse some or all of those housing costs up to the cap of $1,400. Missionaries from the United States, Canada, western Europe, Japan and Australia will be expected to reimburse the cost of housing up to the cap of $1,400, or, if less, the actual amount for expenses. Those from all other countries will be expected to reimburse the costs up to their individual ability to pay (but not to exceed $1,400 a month). All couples will continue to pay for food and other personal expenses.

Samoan Book of Mormon

The first Samoan Book of Mormon translation was completed in June 1903. It wasn't until the early 1950s that the Doctrine and Coveneants and Pearl of Great Price were also translated. For the first time, the triple combination of the Samoan scriptures—the Book of Mormon; the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Guide to the Scriptures, a study aid, have been bound together.

The new Samoan triple combination is available from distribution centers and the online store at store.LDS.org. The First Presidency encourages members to obtain their own copies of the scriptures and to use them in regular personal and family study and in Church meetings and assignments.