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April 24, 2007
Yeltsin had effect on Utah
Boris Yeltsin's effect on Utah was more direct than one might think.
Take the Russian literature class at the University of Utah, for example. Six students were enrolled during spring term in 1993. That fall, enrollment jumped to 24 and currently hovers around 30.
"Those numbers are unlike numbers for any upper-division Russian literature class anywhere in the country, said Jane Hacking, assistant professor of Russian and linguistics. "We are the envy of many of our colleagues around the country."
They say that there are certain moments in life where you will always remember where you were and what you were doing when they happened.
I had one of those moments a year ago today, and it changed my life.
Sunday Night Baseball was on the television and I was absent-mindedly swinging a pitching wedge in my apartment when my cell phone rang, bringing with it the voice of an old friend who could barely choke out the words.
Nestled into a few rooms in the southwest corner of a Cedar City LDS ward building is the LDS Employment Office, a place missionaries work to help area residents find meaningful employment.
George Slack, a missionary with the office, has taken on a role that could be described as office manager. He said missionaries at the facility are very dedicated to staying up-to-date on job availability and helping people find employment.
The radio stays off, the news gets ignored, and the focus stays on Jesus Christ for an unpaid Mormon missionary, living and preaching in Battle Creek.
Utah native Elder Christopher Child works seven days a week, from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., on his mission, a two-year trip during which he spreads his belief in God.
The fact that it's another hot, sweltering day along Middle Road, doesn't stop these two young Mormon missionaries from trudging out under the sun to do what they came here for. Whether they're spotted on the south end of Middle Road in front of McDonald's or seen up Navy Hill, they're out walking.
“We probably walk about two hours a day,” says Elder Matt Roberts, from Alberta, Canada. “We get to meet a lot of very friendly people.” Saipan was his first area of service in his two-year mission and was recently informed of his transfer to Pohnpei. His companion Elder Jacob Peden from Highland, Utah will remain behind and receive a new companion to take Robert's place.
Missionary work has grown immensely in the last decade, but there is much more to do, said Elder Quentin L. Cook of the First Quorum of the Seventy in Tuesday's campus devotional.
"I believe with all of my heart that we are on the threshold of the most significant missionary success to date," Elder Cook said.
Murder trial delayed in shooting of Mormon missionaries
Prosecutors say the murder trial of a man accused of killing a Mormon missionary and wounding another has been delayed until October 9.
James Boughton Junior had been scheduled to stand trial March 26th in Chesapeake Circuit Court on charges that he fatally shot Morgan Young of Utah and wounded Joshua Heidbrink of Colorado in January 2006.
Defense attorney bows out of Mormon shooting trial
James Boughton Jr.’s defense attorney has removed himself from the murder case just weeks before the 20-year-old is to stand trial in the shooting of two Mormon missionaries.
Boughton is scheduled to stand trial March 26 in Chesapeake Circuit Court for the Jan. 2, 2006, fatal shooting of one missionary and the wounding of another in the Deep Creek section of the city. Morgan W. Young, 21, of Bountiful, Utah, and Joshua Heidbrink, 19, of Greeley, Colo., were walking door-to-door on Elkhart Street when they were shot.
Two young men, freshly shaven and in business suits, trudged the slushy sidewalks of Traverse City's Spruce Street on a recent winter day — their mission undeterred by their cold, wet feet.
Mormon missionaries Elder Lopez of Orem, Utah, and Elder Hobson of St. George, Utah, were "door-knocking,” something they do two to four times a week in the hope of engaging local residents in the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In the October 2005 priesthood session of general conference, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “The single most important thing you can do to prepare for a call to serve is to become a missionary long before you go on a mission.”
March’s 2007 issue of the New Era is focused on just that, helping youth prepare for missionary service.
Inside the magazine, readers will find features that focus specifically on missionary preparation, life, and work.
Featured articles include a message from President Gordon B. Hinckley that focuses on the blessings serving a mission can bring, a message from President Thomas S. Monson that examines “The Five M’s of Missionary Work,” advice from Elder M. Russell Ballard on how youth can prepare now to serve a mission, and a view into the life of missionaries at the MTC and in the field.
According to a letter from the Curriculum Department announcing the special issue, magazine could be used in conjunction with Preach My Gospel to aid in the teaching of a missionary preparation class. A quiz game could be made using information found in the magazine that would help youth learn more about missionary preparation. Or a role-playing game could be designed around the topic “A Day in the Life of a Missionary.”
LDS missionary charged with aggravated sexual abuse of a child
A missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been charged with fondling a 12-year-old Salt Lake County boy he had recently baptized, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday in 3rd District Court.
Kyle Saucier, 20 - who was living in the Holladay area at the time - is charged with one count of first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child, which is punishable by 6, 10 or 15 years to life in prison.
One factor elevating the seriousness of the alleged crime is that Saucier "occupied a position of special trust in relation to the victim," according to the complaint.
Missionaries free: LDS in Nigeria praised for resolving abduction
Top LDS Church leaders in Salt Lake City are crediting Nigerian church leaders for negotiating the release of four Nigerian LDS missionaries late Wednesday night in the west African nation, after the abductors were paid for expenses incurred during the time the men were held.
The four are Elders Akande Adebayo Egunjobi and Emeka Henry Ekufu of Lagos and Elders Uchenna Anthony Eze and Hope Aiboni Isaiah of Enugu, Nigeria.
Four Mormon missionaries abducted from their apartment Saturday morning in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, were released unharmed at 2:40 p.m. MST Wednesday to the home of LDS Church Bishop Sancho N. Chukwu, who helped negotiate their release, church officials said.
The motive behind the hostage takings was not fully known, said Quentin L. Cook, of the First Quorum of Seventy and executive director of the LDS Church's missionary department. However, the captors likely believed they had abducted oil company workers, for whom they would receive ransom payments, then quickly realized they had made a mistake.
Nigerian missionary describes working amid chaos, violence
A missionary who recently returned to Salt Lake City from Nigeria described a region of turmoil and relentless violence.
Prowling gangs and thieves robbed senior missionary couples, stole the mission president's car, and broke into church buildings and stole computers and other equipment, said Roger Thompson, an attorney and former Salt Lake City councilman who returned in November from an 18-month assignment as executive secretary to the LDS West Africa Area Presidency, which governs the church in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
Four young Nigerian men serving as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were taken hostage near Port Harcourt, Nigeria, on Saturday, and top leaders in Salt Lake City are expressing gratitude for the local leaders who are working to free them.
Church Statement on the Status of Nigerian Missionaries
Every effort is being put forth to secure the release of four missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in Nigeria.
The four young men, all Nigerian nationals in their early 20s, were taken Saturday morning from their apartment near Port Harcourt. Local Church leaders continue to review security and safeguard the health and well-being of the missionaries.
A local bishop of the Church has been able to speak with each of the missionaries by phone this morning and has confirmed that they are well. We continue to be optimistic about the outcome. Missionaries from the Church serve at great personal sacrifice to them and their families. The missionary work in Nigeria continues to go forward.
Their message is one of peace and love and they are well respected in Nigeria.
We are grateful for the help of local community leaders in Nigeria working for the missionaries’ release. We also appreciate the prayers of people worldwide in behalf of these missionaries.
Eastern Kentucky lawsuit accuses Mormon missionary of sex abuse
A Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints missionary who was accused of sexually abusing three people during a 2005 missionary trip to Kentucky and Indiana has been sued along with the church by the mother of one of the accusers.
The eastern Kentucky woman contends that Jason Stark's conduct damaged her son psychologically, socially and mentally. The lawsuit says the boy, who is younger than 18, has suffered public scorn, ridicule and embarrassment because of Stark, who is from Idaho.
His face is soft. His shirt is pressed. As the 19-year-old missionary speaks, he sounds rehearsed but sincere.
"And if you don't mind, I'd like to tell you what Joseph Smith saw in his own words ..."
Patrick Loftus goes on to talk about pillars of light in a forest, a teenage boy unearthing ancient tablets, testaments of Jesus Christ's journeys through North America.
For Brad Risenmay, president of the LDS Church's Utah Salt Lake City South Mission, the purpose of proselyting is simple.
"The whole premise [of serving a mission] is to go out and do some good," says Risenmay, who presides over 171 missionaries in one of top-baptizing missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When I walk into the Santa Monica restaurant, it's easy to spot the Sisters, as they are young, fresh-faced, sitting straight backed, looking expectantly at the door.
They're not nuns, but missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which means Mormon by the way, although I know as little about their religion as they know about mine.
Brandon Wright - he prefers the title Elder Wright - is on a mission for his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but he has a secondary message for cancer survivors and amputees.
Life is not over when a limb is lost. Wright had his left leg amputated below the knee three years ago after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in his foot. An active volleyball, basketball and football player and snowboarder, he freely admits to some down days when he lost his leg.
Do some good -- mission president: Service a key part of missionary work
For Brad Risenmay, president of the LDS Church's Utah Salt Lake City South Mission, the purpose of proselyting is simple. "The whole premise [of serving a mission] is to go out and do some good," says Risenmay, who presides over 171 missionaries in one of top-baptizing missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Someone keeps turning the rack of tiny state flags before Penni Crowther can snag North Carolina, where her daughter is serving an LDS mission.
"It helps me keep track of my kids," the Murray mother says while she waits at one of the most popular attractions at the Missionary Emporium.
"I came here when my older son went on his [LDS] mission and I wanted [a matching flag] for my daughter," Crowther says. "The places and people they serve now have a place in my heart, too."
