The Church Encourages Members Worldwide to Serve Locally

MR says: Click on the link to watch a video on service by President Monson.

In the last year or so, the Welfare Department of the Church has placed a renewed emphasis on reaching out to local communities. Specifically, members are encouraged to look at local needs before sending materials to the LDS Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake City.

The Humanitarian Service section of LDS.org, under “What You Can Do,” suggests that those interested in doing humanitarian service look around their communities: “What needs or challenges do you see or hear about?” it reads. “If you identify a need in your community but cannot find an established program that addresses this need, take the initiative to find a solution.”

-church-encourages-members-worldwide-to-serve-locally

Contact the Stake Public Affairs Committee or a Specialist for ideas on service in your community as well as Mormon Helping Hands projects.

The Church introduces a new website

The Church has introduced a new website to help answer questions about the Church and its people. For more information click on:  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865562559/Bloggernacle-Back-Bench-The-new-website-mormontopicsorg.html?s_cid=Email-4

New web site:  www.mormontopics.org

Interest in Mormon Faith hits Record High

Interest in the Church has hit an all time high according to Google. Recent programs aired on NBC, ABC and CBS have also required a response from the Church to correct some misconceptions and misinformation .Follow the links below for more information.

http://ldsliving.com/story/70096-google-data-interest-in-mormon-faith-hits-record-high


http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormonism-news--getting-it-right-august-29

March of the digital missionary door-knockers

MR says: Last month, the LDS Church started a new Facebook ad campaign that places marketing in random people's newsfeeds. And it's working.

Read more: http://ldsliving.com/story/70154-march-of-the-digital-missionary-door-

"A Day of Small Service"

On Saturday, August 25th the Relief Society Sisters came together to help the Springdale community by doing a variety of service. We contacted Lori Proud, the director of the Springdale Senior Center and partnered with her and their "Meals on Wheels" program to reach out to those who needed help with small projects or cleaning in their home. We were also approached by Don Hancock with the city of Springdale to see if we could provide the manpower to paint a house for a Springdale family in need. We were small in number but were able to service all 14 requests from the Senior Center and even got the home painted!

Siloam Springs Missionary Open House

The Siloam Springs Ward held a Missionary Open House on July 28th. The ward missionaries, Elder Eyre and Elder Steadham and Elder Archibald first had the idea and got the ball rolling. Bishop Patterson, along with the Ward Council all jumped on board and planned out a wonderful night full of good food and entertainment. A local chef from the area, Russell Babb and his wife volunteered to be the chef and chief-chef for the Open House BBQ dinner. Russell and his wife are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but were kind enough to lend a hand to their good friend, Bishop Patterson. Elder Eyre said he was pleased with the turnout and is eager to follow-up with the families who attended and showed interest in the beliefs and values of the Church.

Tahlequah Ward Youth Serve their community

 Tahlequah Ward Youth have been busy this year. they have completed two service projects so far. On August 22nd they helped a needy family with yard work. Earlier this year they coordinated with the Parks and Recreation Department in their community to pick up trash at Sequoyah Park.

Harber Ward Priesthood Service Project

Harber Ward Elders and High Priest Quorums teamed up with the Young Men to serve their community. The City of Springdale asked if they could help two families in need by removing condemned trees in their yards. These men got together and tackled the project in one day. They downed trees, cut and split the wood.

 The "First Annual" Springdale Arkansas Stake Pinewood Derby Race.

The boys each raced in their own dens before attending the race. We held races in each division; Bears, Weblos and Wolf followed by the "Grand Finals".