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The youth from the Victoria Ward in Hong Kong and from the English-speaking branch in Taiwan combined in making a trip to the Taiwan Temple to do baptisms for the dead.

The group started their excursion with a trip to the peaks of Alishan, part of the central mountain range in Taiwan. The location is popular because of the spectacular sunrises. At 4:00 A.M. when the wake-up call came, the sleepy youth hiked to the highest part of the summit. They were issued cardboard sunglasses with darkened lenses to protect their eyes while they were watching the sunrise. They were not disappointed. The neighboring mountains rose out of the mist, and the sun burst above the final jagged peak. It seemed to set a theme for the trip: “The day dawn is breaking, the world is awaking,/ The clouds of night’s darkness are fleeing away” (Hymns, 1985, no. 52).

Arriving at the temple and performing baptisms was the highlight of the excursion. Garrett Povar of Hong Kong said, “I had a very special feeling in the temple—a feeling of calm and reverence.”

Jennifer Rasmussen said that doing baptisms in the Taiwan Temple added to her testimony. “Being in the temple is a testimony to me that Heavenly Father’s work is going on in different parts of the world. I can see that the worth of a soul is great in the sight of the Lord. I know this because the Church is concerned with the salvation of all.”

The youth had a four-day retreat from the world and from their daily routines. They had fun together, laughed together, and served together.

Sarah Carthew, 14, of the Adelaide Australia Modbury Stake is an accomplished dancer. She has been active for six years in the Graceful Girl programme, a combination of ballet and calisthenics. She has been a finalist every year and has won second place several times. She has also performed in the Adelaide Eisteddfod, where she won a classical scholarship in ballet.

Sarah attends early-morning seminary, does well in her schoolwork, and pursues her dancing. When asked how she manages everything, she said, “It’s quite possible to balance the three if you make up your mind that you will.”

Elder Joseph Anderson, emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, turned 97 on November 20, 1986. He is the oldest man to serve as a General Authority in the history of the Church.

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Elder Joseph Anderson

Elder Anderson served as secretary to the First Presidency of the Church from 1923 to 1972. In April of 1970, he was called to be an Assistant to the Twelve, and in October of 1976 he was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy. He was given emeritus status in 1978.

Elder Anderson stays active with an exercise regimen that includes regular swimming sessions.

Lisa Barnes of the Dixon Ward, Davis California Stake, spent one year of high school in Canada as an exchange student learning French. Lisa served as Beehive and Mia Maid class president in the Dixon Ward. Then she served as the first Young Women class president in the Chicoutimi Branch, Canada Montreal Mission.

Gwen Craig hopes to be “in the soup” a lot in the future. She is studying home economics as an exchange student in Sutton Coldfield, England. Gwen is from Ogden, Utah.

Gwen hopes to use her education to become a caterer. She had a chance to practice when she was invited to prepare a meal for a visiting General Authority and the stake presidents of the Midland region of England.

Rudy Abate of Morristown, Tennessee, was chosen as Boy of the Year for the state of Tennessee. He also represented his state in the national competition. He was selected from local winners of Boys’ Clubs throughout the state, and selection was based on attendance, church involvement, home responsibilities, and involvement with the community.

Rudy has served as president of the local Keystone Club and as co-president of Tennessee Future Scholars.

As a priest in the Morristown Branch, Knoxville Tennessee Stake, Rudy has served as assistant Cub Scout leader as well as president of his priesthood quorums.

Even though Alicia Settle must rely on her motorized wheelchair to get around, it didn’t stop her from going to the Oakland California Temple to do baptisms for the dead. She went in response to the bishop’s assignment that all worthy members of the ward participate in temple work on their ward’s temple day. Alicia was able to perform the task with the help of her ward leaders and classmates and some advance planning.

Alicia is a member of the Milpitas First Ward, San Jose California Stake.

Jennifer, Kimberly, and Kristin Horsley of the Rockford Illinois First Ward are leaders both in their ward and in their schools.

Jennifer is a seminary graduate and was president of her Beehive, Mia Maid, and Laurel classes. She was a four-year honors student and served in student government. She was also a cheerleader for four years and varsity captain her senior year.

Kimberly has served as Beehive and Mia Maid class president and has attended three years of early-morning seminary. She is a three-year honors student, and is a member of the yearbook staff. She is also a cheerleader on the varsity squad.

Kristin is following in the steps of her older sisters. She is in her first year of early-morning seminary and has served as Beehive and Mia Maid class president. She is an honors student and cocaptain of the freshman cheerleading squad.

The Pukalani Ward, Kahului Hawaii Stake, has an early-morning seminary class eagerly participating in a genealogy project. The nine students were given family group sheets with names extracted from a ward member’s genealogical sketch. After an introduction and instructions, the group filled out individual and marriage entry forms. The class submitted 57 names to be cleared for temple work. The youth enjoyed the actual hands-on experience of learning about genealogy.

Dee Dee Floyd of the Camden Branch, Little Rock Arkansas Stake, is an outstanding example of commitment to her principles.

Dee Dee was the only LDS student at her school for three years. Since her branch did not have enough youth to hold seminary, her mother drove her to another branch an hour away in order for her to attend seminary each week. She served as stake seminary secretary her second year.

This year Dee Dee earned her Young Womanhood Recognition and serves as president of her Laurel class, which now has three young women.

In school, Dee Dee is on the tennis team, has been a class officer and cheerleader, and is in madrigal choir. She was the only student selected for all-state choir.

About her Church membership, Dee Dee says, “The gospel has become a source of strength in my life. Without the gospel and its teachings, I would most likely be a different person than I am now.”