2005
What’s Up?
September 2005


“What’s Up?” New Era, Sept. 2005, 34

What’s Up?

The payment of tithing is a commandment, a commandment with a promise. If we obey this commandment, we are promised that we will ‘prosper in the land.’ This prosperity consists of more than material goods—it may include enjoying good health and vigor of mind.
—President N. Eldon Tanner (1898–1982), “Constancy Amid Change,” Ensign, Nov. 1979, 81.

Week of Service in Fiji

Teens from the Suva Fiji, Nausori Fiji, and Suva Fiji North Stakes wear special ponchos when they perform acts of service in the community. The logos on these ponchos display the name of the Church so people will know what brings these youth together to give of themselves.

Students of the Fiji LDS Church College, a secondary school sponsored by the Church, recently took part in a seminary week of service. Along with service projects at a school, a hospital, a health care clinic, a vocational training center for children with disabilities, and the Suva Fiji Temple, there were scripture-based programs and activities on campus.

A Proper Prom

When the youth in the Bellingham Washington Stake expressed concerns about the inappropriate music and dancing they might encounter at their high school prom, bishops and youth leaders responded. A youth committee, parent committee, and youth leaders all added their ideas to help organize the first-ever formal spring dance at the stake center.

The formal was held the same night as the high school prom, and youth from three neighboring stakes were also invited. With beautiful decorations, prom pictures, great refreshments, and music with clean lyrics, the dance was a smashing success. The youth say they appreciated the opportunity to attend a dance that was in line with their standards.

“There is no comparison between this dance and school dances I’ve been to,” said Sarai Dodge. “Our dance was so much better. I hope this becomes a tradition!”

It Happened in September

September 21–22, 1823: The angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith for the first time and told him about the gold plates.

September 1, 1901: President Heber J. Grant (1856–1945) dedicated Japan for the preaching of the gospel.

September 7, 1958: President David O. McKay (1873–1970) dedicated the London England Temple.

September 23, 1995: President Gordon B. Hinckley presented for the first time the proclamation on the family, in a general Relief Society meeting.

JosephSmith.Net

Just in time for the Prophet Joseph Smith’s 200th birthday, the Church has created a new multimedia Web site about the Prophet. If you’d like to know more about the first prophet, seer, and revelator of this dispensation, go to www.josephsmith.net. There, you’ll find descriptions of the Prophet, a brief history of his life, comments about him by people who knew him, a visual tour of the places important to his mission, and other interesting things to read and see.

If you have questions or comments about this new Web site—or about the New Era—you can e-mail us at newera@ldschurch.org or send a letter to the address on the inside front cover of this magazine.

Follow the Leader

If you want to be a good leader, the Savior taught that first you must become a good servant and follower. In the New Testament, even Christ’s Apostles sometimes had a hard time understanding this principle. In Mark we read that they “disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.”

So the Savior called the Twelve Apostles together and told them, “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:34–35).

Follow the example of the Savior and lead out in your quorums, classes, families, and communities by serving others.

Photographs courtesy of the Suva Fiji, Nausori Fiji, and Suva Fiji North Stakes

Photograph by Welden C. Andersen

Photograph courtesy of the Bellingham Washington Stake

The Angel Moroni Appears to Joseph Smith, by Tom Lovell

Jesus Washing the Feet of the Apostles, by Del Parson