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by Christie Giles

Acing It

There’s one major obstacle that stands between you and the wheel—that’s the driver’s test. Here are some suggestions to help you ace it.

• Be prepared.

  Know that the most common mistakes are “intersection approach showing lack of caution,” “incorrect interpretation of right of way,” “smoothness in applying brakes,” “parallel parking,” and “method of looking back.”

• Practice, practice, practice.

  Examiners say most people who fail would have passed with more practice. Put at least 20 hours into driving practice before taking the test.

• Act confident.

  In some areas you can receive a demerit for “acting too slow.” A lack of confidence usually indicates a lack of real control of the car.

• Don’t show off.

  Take each maneuver seriously. Remember, since the examiner has only about 15 minutes to evaluate your driving ability, every move counts.

• Relax.

  The examiner didn’t wake up this morning with the goal of failing every applicant today. If you’ve prepared well, you’ll probably do well. Take a deep breath and relax.

Be Nice

Have you ever thought that your behavior on the highway says a lot about how Christlike you are? There’s a certain amount of driver’s etiquette that goes along with the car keys, simple things that make a big difference. Remember: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

• Drive slowly through residential neighborhoods. You never know when small children might dart out.

• Keep the music inside the car. If it’s loud enough for people a few blocks away to hear, they might find it annoying. It can also keep you from hearing important things like sirens, horns, or other warning signals.

• Always leave gas in the tank. Don’t bring it home empty.

• If there’s something wrong with the car, discuss it with your parents. Don’t leave it for someone else to discover.

• Be patient. Driving can bring out the worst in people, but temper tantrums don’t solve anything, and they make traveling dangerous.

• “We believe in … obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” That’s the 12th article of faith [A of F 1:12], but it should be one of the first rules of the road.

Do You Know It All?

You might be a fantastic driver, but there are a few other things you should know about your car before you go zooming off. For example:

• Can you check the water level in the battery?

• Can you check the oil and coolant levels?

• Can you measure the tire pressure and add air?

• Can you change a tire?

• Can you jump-start a car?

If you don’t know how to do these things, you might want to take a basic auto maintenance class, have a friend or family member show you, or read the owner’s manual. It can save you a lot of money, time, and trouble.

Weather or Not

If the weather makes you uncomfortable and you don’t want to drive out in it, be smart. Stay put. But for a little extra confidence in potentially hazardous conditions, follow these tips.

• Rain

  • Slow down. Even a light summer shower can mix with oil and grease on the roads and give rubber tires a slippery coating that can cause skidding.

  • Listen for weather and traffic advisories on the radio.

  • Brake away. Brakes can get wet and slip in rainy weather, so allow yourself extra stopping distance.

  • Use the low-beam setting on your headlights. High beams can make it more difficult for you and other drivers to see.

• Fog

  • Go easy. Reduce your speed until you feel very secure. If you must stop on the freeway, pull all the way off the road and turn on the emergency flasher.

  • Use your low beams. Mist reflects the headlights like tiny mirrors and creates a wall of brightness directly in front of the car. High beams make it worse.

  • Be a careful follower. In fog, allow extra space between you and the car in front of you. You should allow plenty of time for sudden stops.

• Snow and Ice

  • Again, reduce speed. Most accidents on ice and snow result from “excessive speed for existing conditions.”

  • Accelerate and slow down gradually. The main problem with snow and ice is losing traction, which you’ll do if you act hastily.

  • Don’t slam on the brakes. Unless you have antilock brakes, slow down or stop by pumping the brakes in small, brief applications.

  • Avoid sharp turns. Take corners slowly.

  • If you do skid, don’t slam on the brakes. Turn the wheel in the direction the rear wheels are sliding. (If they are sliding right, turn the wheel to the right.) Give the engine a little gas to pull you back on course. Then pump the brakes lightly if you need to slow down.

Girls’ camp in the Ivory Coast, Africa, is a relatively new experience, since the country was just dedicated for missionary work in 1987. But the girls from the Abidjan Ivory Coast District took to it like fish to water—or young women to water, since they camped on the beach.

It was the first time many of the girls had been to the beach, so camp activities included swimming lessons, in addition to the basic Campcrafter-type activities. They also included sharing and learning native songs, dances, and chants, since a number of the girls came from different tribes.

They all had one thing in common though, and that was a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “I know the Church is true. It has made a big difference in my life,” said Gisele Kalongo, Laurel class president of the Cocody Branch.

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Sam K. Shimabukuro

Sam K. Shimabukuro, 66, of Honolulu, Hawaii, has been called to serve in the Second Quorum of Seventy. He has served as a mission president and as president of the Tokyo Temple.
He is married to Amy Michiko Hirose.

These guys have a record that would make any team jealous. The Rock Hill Second Ward won the Charlotte North Carolina South Stake scripture competition for the fourth year in a row. Travis Bolinger won the individual speed round for the second year, and he and Aimee Whitsell made the all-star team for the third straight year.

Then they won first place against teams from 11 other stakes in Raleigh, North Carolina. Other team members include Scott Robinson, Cory Whitesell, Zoe Cabaniss, and Cherad Cramer.

They don’t do too badly for a team that doesn’t meet for seminary together. Some are able to get to the local ward house for early-morning seminary, but many are taught by their parents at home.

Jason Van Tassell of the Milton Second Ward, Morgan Utah North Stake, has a lot of different interests. He excels in everything from rodeo and football to piano playing and poetry writing.

These varied skills helped win him a trip to Orlando, Florida, as the Walt Disney World “Dreamer and Doer” from Utah, a title given by a national student recognition program. Students are honored for their participation in interscholastic activities and programs, and demonstration of Walt Disney’s “4 C’s”—curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy.

Jason is also into service. He’s provided musical entertainment for the elderly, has been involved in many student service projects, and earned his Eagle Scout Award.

When it comes to geography, 15-year-old James Wingate really knows where it’s at.

By identifying Prince Edward Island as Canada’s smallest province in land area, James, a teacher in the Rosedale Ward, Salt Lake Riverside Stake, earned an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Geography Bee.

There contestants were quizzed on their knowledge of locations, weather patterns, and the cultural characteristics of nations. They also visited historical sites and national landmarks, and James was particularly excited to see the Washington Temple.

Now graduated from Northwest Intermediate School, James is a freshman at West High School and hopes to someday be a school teacher. “I’d like to teach geography,” he says. “But I’d like to teach other subjects, too.”

Good news, bad news! Patty Porter of the Clarkston Ward, Lewiston Idaho Stake, prints a little of both in her position as editor of her school newspaper. She’s also the public relations officer for her school’s student government.

This Laurel class president could be prepared for a foreign assignment someday, as she is an active member of her school’s Spanish club, and is interested in travel. She also likes music—she takes piano lessons and has played in a number of public functions.

Thirteen-year-old Daniel Klier loves music and knows how important it is in his life. His mother teaches music to young school children in Hamburg, Germany; his father teaches piano at a local conservatory; and Daniel himself attends the Staatliche Jugen Musikschule (the state music school for youth).

Daniel likes to tell his friends at school about the opportunities he has to perform in his church. They’re impressed by the experience he gets there on the chapel’s new Steinway piano.

Daniel’s father says that Daniel is a natural. He’s been playing the piano since he was four years old. Music helps unify the family.

Even though Julie Cottrell of the Ankeny (Iowa) Branch is only 13, she’s got a grip on the U.S. legal system. She is a member of the mock trial team which took first place after arguing its final case in the Iowa Supreme Court.

She also won the junior historical paper division at the Iowa History Day competition. That gave her the opportunity to travel to the nation’s capital for the national competition, where her paper got a superior rating.

Julie also likes to sing in her school choir, compete in volleyball and track, and lead cheers at school. At church, she is the Beehive class secretary and assistant pianist for Young Women.

Last year Liberty Walther served as student body president at Sacajawea Junior High. Her friend Mary Tripp served as vice-president. At the same time, Mary served as Mia Maid class president, while Liberty served as one of her counselors. It was an interesting situation which taught them both to lead, serve, follow, and support.

Both girls are members of the Federal Way First Ward, Federal Way Washington Stake. They are also on the swim team, honor roll, and in the school choir. Mary is the ward organist, while Liberty is active in helping with an alcohol and drug prevention program. They’ve got a unique friendship that’s strengthened by the service they give.