Missionary Monday: Mormons Having A Positive Impact Around the World

26 NOVEMBER 2014 — POSTED by DAVID PORTER

Original article published HERE.

MormonNewsroom.org features stories from its international Newsroom websites to share what leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are doing to better the communities in which they live.

South Africa: Church Apostle Speaks With Religious Leader
Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles toured the African continent and met with local Latter-day Saints and with government leaders. The apostle was accompanied by his wife, Mary.

In Namibia, Elder and Sister Cook were met by the secretary general of the Council of Churches, Reverend Maria Kapere, and her husband, Hon. Asser Kapere, president of the Upper House of Parliament in Namibia.

Reverend Kapere also received an award from the Church. Go to the South Africa Mormon Newsroom website to read more about the honor.

Argentina: Apostle Visits With Members and Local Leaders
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was in Argentina recently to visit with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and with local government leaders.

His visit included a meeting with Carlos Ciurca, lieutenant governor of the province of Mendoza. Elder Christofferson and the government leader addressed how their two organizations need to work together to help the youth of the province.

Read more about their conversation on the Argentina Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish).

Argentina: Church Helps Flood Victims
Dozens of Latter-day Saints in Buenos Aires helped in their communities in early November as homes and businesses were inundated with flooding. The heavy storms of rain, wind and hail were caused by Sudestada, a meteorological phenomenon that affects mainly the coastal areas.

The Church worked closely with local and state governments to help victims receive basic necessities along with children's clothing, personal hygiene items and toiletries.

More information on this tragedy is available on the Argentina Mormon Newsroomwebsite (Spanish).

Nigeria: Wheelchairs Donated by the Church
LDS Charities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has provided 245 wheelchairs and partnered with MAARDEC (Mobility Aid and Appliances Research and Development Centre).

The partnership includes a training package to help staff develop skills and knowledge necessary to improve the recipients’ benefits.

Read more about the program on the Nigeria Mormon Newsroom website.

Russia: Mormon Helping Hands Serve Saratov Community
The city of Saratov approved two community service projects proposed by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

More than 100 Mormon Helping Hands volunteers from Saratov used shovels, rakes and brooms to clean and beautify neighborhoods. Saratov is in a valley on the bank of the Volga River.

You can read more about why Latter-day Saints help in the community on the Russia Mormon Newsroom website (Russian).

Malaysia: Organizations Combine to Help the Community
Mormon Helping Hands joined with the Pure Life Society on Saturday, November 15, 2014, to clean up debris, weed an herb garden, control a population of banana trees and sort and iron baskets of laundry.

At the end of the day of work, the president of the Pure Life Society expressed thanks for the Latter-day Saints’ help and hoped this would not be the last time they could work together.

Go to the Malaysia Mormon Newsroom website for more comments from the organization’s president.

Pacific: Mormon Teens in Tonga Learn Self-Sufficiency
Tongan students are “learning as they grow” — a garden, that is. The youth are participating in an agribusiness project in school, learning how to grow and harvest vegetables.

Not only are they learning how a garden must be nurtured, but the profits they earn from selling their harvest will help pay their tuition next year.

Go to the Pacific Mormon Newsroom website to learn more.

Pinnable Quote: Sister Wixom

Serving The Spanish Branch In Lakewood

Recently an e-mail was sent out to members of the Bargain Blast seeking donations of used clothes, toys, and household items for the Spanish Branch in Lakewood. This is a branch with many needs, and members of the Highlands Ranch Stake came through- helping to provide a very Merry Christmas to those in our area!

Here are the collections in the garage getting ready to go:

Members of the Westridge Ward met together, loaded up their cars, and headed to Lakewood to deliver the items to the Lakewood church where the Spanish ward meets. They unloaded their car and set up the items. There were about 15 tables, and every table was full of donated items about 3 feet high, with more items under each table.

 Even small children were able to help. The items were set up in the cultural hall. The  next day, members from the Spanish Branch came and "shopped."

This is just one of many ways that members of our stake can get involved in serving others. This turned out to be a wonderful evening for all who participated. Thank you to all the members of the stake who donated used clothes and household items. It was a huge success!

Savior of the World Part 4: Production

Finally the anticipated dates arrived: The final production of Savior of the World! There were five performances total- one on the last Sunday of November, and four the following weekend. Word spread quickly throughout the region about the spiritual blessings many received while watching the production, the professionalism embodied by all who worked on the production, and the talent of all involved. Savior of the World tickets became the hottest tickets in town, and people drove from all over the state to see the beautiful depiction of Christ's life.

Today we present some pictures of the production. Interspersed in between the pictures are some comments from audience members.

For more pictures previously posted on this blog, please click. HERE.

These pictures are courtesy of professional photographers Janine Rust and Joel Hill.

 “Savior of the World is a phenomenal and inspiring show!”

 “Amazing night! We went and saw the production of Savior of the World.  The spirit was so strong, it was such a moving performance!  Thanks to all those who shared their talents and sacrificed many hours to share this special message!  Words cannot express!”

 “I just saw the play Savior of the World.  Can I just say WOW!! What a beautiful production.  Everyone in it just touched my heart and soul with their performances.  One of the MANY memorable parts of the play was when the shepherd boy Nathan turned and went back into the manger, knelt down and kissed the baby Jesus.  Oh my, priceless.  Thank you to all who have worked so hard on this play, Im looking forward to watching it again tomorrow night and later on in the week.”

 “Highlands Ranch Friends…..If you haven’t gone to see Savior of the World-find a ticket-it was AMAZING!!!!  Bring a tissue or two!”

“There are so many talented people in our stake!!! It was incredible!”

Ward Temple Day Thursday January 8th

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

Ward Temple Day for each Ward in our Stake is Thursday, 1/08/2015. 

As a Stake Presidency, we encourage you to attend the temple on Thursday and bring a friend that may not have been in while. 

President Benson said at the dedication of the Denver Temple in October 1986: 

The saints in this temple district will be better able to meet their trials. Your families will be protected; your children safeguarded.

January Assignments:

Laundry Workers:
Morning shift (8am - noon) 2 workers from Roxborough 
Evening shift (4pm- 8pm) 2 workers from Saddle Ranch

Sealing Assignment:
Daniels Park and Falcon Park (Each Organization or Ward is to have 6 Sisters & 6 Brothers, arrive at the Sealing Office between 6:00 pm & 6:30 pm)

Initiatory Assignment:
3 Brothers and 3 Sisters from Heritage Park (6 PM) and Northridge (7 PM)

Chapel Session: 
Highlands Ranch Ward – please have at least 20 members of the Ward present at 6:00 PM in the Chapel. 

Endowment Schedule:
Daniels Park 7:30 PM
Falcon Park 7:00 PM
Heritage Park 6:00 PM 
Highlands Ranch 6:30 PM – Chapel Session at 6:00 PM 
Northridge 5:00 PM 
Roxborough 7:30 PM 
Saddle Ranch 5:00 PM 
Spring Gulch 6:00 PM 
Summit View 6:30 PM 
Westridge 7:00 PM 


If you have Family File names and would like help from our stake members in completing the temple work on Ward Temple Day, we invite you to bring the cards to the temple office and put them in the Highlands Ranch Colorado Stake box, which will be available on the second Thursday of each month for Ward Temple Day. You can pick up the names any time after they are completed in the usual location according to normal temple procedures.

Stake Members who are willing to do Temple Work with Family File Names:

As you arrive at the temple, stop at the office and pick up Family File cards from the Highlands Ranch Colorado Stake box, which will be there on the second Thursday of each month for Ward Temple Day. After the work is completed, the cards will be returned to the office, recorded, and returned to the person who submitted the name in the usual fashion. You do not need to make any special arrangements to return them unless you are unable to complete the work that day, in which case you can return the card to the stake box before leaving the temple.

Thank you for your faithful service in the Temple.

Sincerely,

The Highlands Ranch Colorado, Stake Presidency

Missionary Monday: Hastening the Lord's Work Within Ourselves

Contributed By Robert L. Millet, Church News contributor
Original article posted HERE

While “real growth” or deep conversion is surely the product of consistent and sustained gospel living, what does it look like? How might we know if we are, through the years, experiencing real growth? What might we begin noticing in our own discipleship?

“We need a witness and an assurance that produce and result in real growth, in deep conversion, in complete consecration. In this way and through this sacred process, the work of the Almighty is hastened—within our own souls.” —Robert L. Millet, professor emeritus of ancient scriptureARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• In addition to hastening the work of the Lord, we need to foster “real growth”—deep conversion and complete consecration to God and His Church and kingdom.

Specifically, the Brethren have called upon the Latter-day Saints to hasten the work of (1) reaching out to those who may not now enjoy the blessings of the restored gospel; (2) extending the blessings of that gospel to those who have died without the opportunity to receive its requisite covenants and ordinances; and (3) searching out and caring for the poor and needy among us.In recent years we have been reminded by our leaders that a significant prophecy is being fulfilled in our day. The Lord said: “Behold, I will hasten my work in its time” (D&C 88:73). To hasten is to urge on, to accelerate, to move or act quickly.

These selfless acts—missionary work, temple work, and compassionate service—are part of what we are called upon to do as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle James, brother of our Lord, explained that this is what true Christians do; this is what he called “pure religion.” But there was one more thing involved in pure religion—namely, keeping ourselves unspotted from the vices of the world (Joseph Smith Translation, James 1:27). This facet of the Christian faith has to do with personal spiritual development.

In addition to hearing much about hastening the work, we have been told how important it is to encourage and foster “real growth,” that is, deep conversion, complete consecration to God and His Church and kingdom. While such growth is surely the product of consistent and sustained gospel living, what does it look like? How might we know if we are, through the years, experiencing real growth? What might we begin noticing in our own discipleship? Here are a few thoughts to consider:

1. There begins to develop within our hearts a desire to do more to further the work of the Lord and to be better people than we are. This seems to be what Abraham felt when he wrote of how he had previously been a follower of righteousness but had felt the need “to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge” (Abraham 1:2). That is, Abraham wanted to do more and be more.

2. We gradually begin to view commandments, laws, and Church directives differently, to no longer see them as guard rails, barricades, or hindrances to life’s enjoyments, but instead as helps, guides, and kind gestures of a benevolent Father in Heaven. To those Saints who had begun to gather to the land of Missouri, those who had come out of the world and chosen the gospel path, the Savior promised that they would be “crowned with blessings from above, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time” (D&C 59:4). We certainly cannot enjoy the blessings of living a law we do not keep or one of which we are ignorant. John the Beloved explained that “this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous [burdensome, oppressive]” (1 John 5:3).

The more we search the scriptures, we begin to see patterns, connections, parallels, and principles for living.

3. The more we search the scriptures, we begin to see patterns, connections, parallels, and principles for living. Holy writ becomes more and more relevant to everyday life. In a sense, the words of the prophets become our words. Many of us can still remember the final sermon and testimony of Elder Bruce R. McConkie. As he began to unfold the truths associated with Christ’s atoning sacrifice, Elder McConkie said: “In speaking of these wondrous things I shall use my own words, though you may think they are the words of scripture, words spoken by other apostles and prophets.

“True it is they were first proclaimed by others, but they are now mine, for the Holy Spirit of God has borne witness to me that they are true, and it is now as though the Lord had revealed them to me in the first instance. I have thereby heard his voice and know his word” (“The Purifying Power of Gethsemane,” April 1985 general conference).

4. Our personal gospel study becomes more and more enlightening and faith affirming, so that regularly during the week we are fed and spiritually strengthened. Because of this, our attendance at Church—in which we partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, receive instruction and inspiration from those who teach us, and enjoy sweet association with members of the household of faith—need not be our only opportunity for building gospel scholarship and being edified. Sabbath worship thus becomes the capstone for a spiritually productive week.

5. We begin to be more secure and settled in our faith, less troubled by unanswered questions; in short, we begin to have doubt banished from our hearts and minds. Cyprian, one of the great defenders of the faith following the apostolic period, described his own experience: “Into my heart, purified of all sin, there entered a light which came from on high, and then suddenly, and in a marvelous manner, I saw certainty succeed doubt” (quoted by Harold B. Lee, in Stand Ye in Holy Places [1974], 57).

6. We begin to feel a deeper sense of love for and loyalty toward the apostles and prophets, those charged to guide the destiny of the kingdom of God. As the Lord explained in modern revelation (D&C 1:38; 21:5), their words truly become His words. Their counsel becomes His counsel. President Harold B. Lee was fond of teaching, “That man [or woman] is not fully converted until [they see] the power of God resting upon the leaders of this Church and that witness goes down into [their hearts] like fire” (The Teachings of Harold B. Lee [1996], 520). We begin to see and feel about world conditions and the state of society as the Brethren do.

7. With the passing of time and as we mature spiritually, our faith is transformed into certainty. Indeed, our receipt of personal revelation and our regular encounter with the Spirit of God leads us to that point where our faith begins to be “unshaken in the Lord” (Enos 1:11; see also Jacob 7:5). Further, that conviction manifests itself in commitment. Because true faith entails a decision (see Neil L. Andersen, “It's True, Isn't It? Then What Else Matters?” April 2007 general conference), it becomes with us, as it was with the early Latter-day Saints: It is the kingdom of God or nothing!

On more than one occasion I heard President Gordon B. Hinckley comment on the need for the Latter-day Saints to get the gospel from their heads to the hearts. Yes, we as followers of Jesus Christ need to have a reason for the hope within us (see 1 Peter 3:15)—an understanding of the doctrines and principles of the restored gospel that is as stimulating and satisfying to the mind as it is soothing and settling to the heart. In addition, we need a witness and an assurance that produce and result in real growth, in deep conversion, in complete consecration. In this way and through this sacred process, the work of the Almighty is hastened—within our own souls.

Robert L. Millet is professor emeritus of ancient scripture and former dean of religious education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Sunday's Pinnable Quote: Elder Perry

New Youth Theme and Resources For 2015

Youth and adult leaders can now find helpful resources on youth.lds.org for introducing the 2015 youth theme in their classes and quorums and emphasizing the theme throughout the year.

General Young Men and Young Women leaders announced the 2015 Mutual theme last September [see related article]: “O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day” (D&C 4:2).”

Downloadable videos and music, articles by general leaders, and even graphics for T-shirts and posters are available now on youth.lds.org/theme/2015.

All of the new resources help prepare youth to serve in Christlike ways in their homes, at the temple, at church, and in their communities.

What’s unique this year is that all of the songs and videos were created by youth.

“Our youth have never lived in a time where there are so many ways to share their testimonies and experiences with others in the world,” said Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president. “We think these wonderful resources reflect the goodness of our youth as well as their talent and creativity.”

According to product manager Jared Haddock, the Priesthood Department invited a group of youth singers and songwriters to fast and pray about personal testimonies they would be willing to share with the youth of the world. This led to amazing discussions about the challenges youth are facing every day, he said. 

Each singer and songwriter then began working on a song that shares that testimony. “The result is 12 songs that are youthful, sincere, spiritually powerful, and extremely relevant.” 

One young songwriter noticed that he and his friends have trouble talking about the problems they deal with, such as depression, chastity issues, and financial and family concerns. He wrote the song “Silent” to testify that youth don’t need to keep their feelings bottled up; God has placed in their lives parents, leaders, and friends who can help them.

Videos on the site capture youth embarking in the service of God.

Youth filmed most of the video footage themselves.

Music and videos support the 2015 Mutual theme, found in Doctrine and Covenants 4:2: “O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.”


A young woman witnessed family and friends being bullied—some even having hate accounts built for them on social media. When she saw how the victims started believing what was being said about them, she wrote the song “Fragile,” testifying of youths’ power to lift others and turn to Heavenly Father, who will strengthen them.  

The videos were created the same way, with youth filming most of the video footage themselves. The videos capture youth embarking in the service of their God. “It is quite powerful to see how the actions of one youth can inspire so many others to serve,” Haddock said. The films also highlight how youth have been given a powerful tool to lift, strengthen, and inspire others: social media.

“They are following the advice of our leaders to use their communication skills to share the goodness of the gospel,” said Sister Oscarson. “It gives the admonition to be ‘a light to the world’ a whole new meaning!”

Additional materials will be published in Church magazines and on LDS.org throughout the year, such as more free songs and sheet music, all of it created by youth as well.

“We hope that youth, leaders, and families will be inspired by these resources to find ways to serve others in Christlike ways and to share their light with the world through responsible use of social media,” Sister Oscarson said.