If you have visited the Ikeja General Hospital lately, you would have noticed a blocked drainage that could only have been  a breeding place for mosquitoes. This is besides  some discarded items at the back of Ayinke ward that left the hospital looking unkempt.

Thankfully this unhealthy eyesore has disappeared since a three-hour sanitation exercise was recently carried out there with the result that the hospital now wears a new look. And it was courtesy of the corporate effort of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints which recently mobilised its  teeming members for a state-wide environmental sanitation exercise. …

See http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/08/27/when-mormon-hands-helped-to-keep-lagos-clean/

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20090607/NEWS01/906070372/0/FEATURES12

… At the age of 18, Electa followed her father to western New York, where he had remarried. Within a year, she married an older man who died before her their first child was born.

Mormon prophet Joseph Smith was one of several religious leaders competing for converts in New York at this time, and Electa heard of him, but did not become involved with the Mormons until later.

That would come at her next stop, in Michigan, where her half-sister introduced her to the religion.

“She’s going to meetings, but she’s not necessarily sold on it yet,” Doran said.

Joseph Smith was nearby visiting his cousin when Electa’s daughter took ill. Electa asked him to lay hands on the girl.

“He shows up and prays and does whatever prophets do,” Doran said. “The little girl becomes better the next day.”

When a “Mr. Williams” proposed marriage to her, Electa wrote she accepted on the condition he bring her to the Mormons.

…

Every land has its pioneers, and there is no more remarkable story than Ghana’s Joseph W.B. Johnson who had formed ten congregations of believers long before the missionaries arrived.
By Maurine Jensen Proctor

http://www.ldsmag.com/churchupdate/090721ghana.html

Our modern pioneers, forging the way in their own countries, are building the kingdom without wagons or handcarts. Join us on a poignant visit to a fledging ward in Ghana.
A Photographic Essay by Scot Facer Proctor
http://www.ldsmag.com/photoessay/090723nungua.html

The Pew Forum has published an extension report on the religious beliefs, practices, and affiliations of African-Americans.

While the U.S. is generally considered a highly religious nation, African-Americans are markedly more religious on a variety of measures than the U.S. population as a whole, including level of affiliation with a religion, attendance at religious services, frequency of prayer and religion’s importance in life.

See A Religious Portrait of African-Americans by The Pew Forum.

The African American Family History Conference in St. Louis, MO, drew nearly 400 participants. The Church website has a report:

Conference Helps African Americans Connect to Ancestors

See the link below about a speech by Dr. Armand Mauss and film presentation by Margaret Young and Darius Gray dealing with the 1978 revelation on the priesthood and Black Mormons.

http://www.uwyo.edu/news/showrelease.asp?id=25103

Baptisms Result From Understanding Scriptures on Black Issues

News Releases & Stories

1. It’s One of the Best Kept Secrets – News Story

VALENCIA, California 16 July 2008 As part of the Black in America series airing on 23-24 July, CNN has launched an online series titled I Am which seeks to break through stereotypes by highlighting individuals who have ignored racial barriers and injustices. Marvin Perkins, an African American member of the Church, participated in this series. Full Story

2. Gladys Knight Reflects on Family and Faith – News Story

OTTAWA, Canada 1 July 2008 Gladys Knight’s son Jimmy III died in his sleep nine years ago at age 36. She recently told the Ottawa Citizen newspaper: “He brought me to my church and I just grew immensely from his example. I am happy in my spirit for where I know for sure he is. That (death) is something we all have to go through, it’s not our time and place to dictate when, where or what, it’s not our business. It belongs to the Lord and that’s how I’ve dealt with it. I know I’ll see him again.” Knight joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1997. Full Story

Alex Boye, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, once sang in a boy band in Europe. Now he sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He recently visited St. Louis to give a free workshop and concert. Read more in the St. Louis American:

Alex Boye may not be a household name in the United States, but in Europe during the late ‘90s Boye was the lead singer of the boy band Awesome. With hits in more than 15 countries and more than half a million CDs sold, Boye has performed alongside artists such as N’SYNC, The Backstreet Boys, Missy Elliott, Mary.J. Blige and George Michael.

Boye also is a member of the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Boye feels right at home in the choir which is surprising, considering that being one of many in a unified choir is a stark contrast from being the center of attention in a boy band. Boye is thrilled to do the occasional spirited solo with a back-up of 300 voices, but mostly he works to blend in.

Source: Pop idol turned Christian rocker in town for workshop, concert

The Church has posted full transcripts of the talks given at last Sunday’s devotional on the revelation on the priesthood:

Transcript of Catherine M. Stokes’ Address

Transcript of President Fred A. Parker III’s Address

Transcript of President Ahmad S. Corbitt’s Address

Transcript of Elder Sheldon F. Child’s Address

On the BYU Broadcasting website, you can watch the full video:

Church Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Priesthood Revelation