wide-tracked backhoes to Long-term Aid Helps Tsunami Victims help reconstruct the dikes around shrimp farms. Sewing along the Road to Recovery machines, looms, hand trac- By Karianne Salisbury, Church Magazines tors, and other tools were donated to encourage a t was a long process for return to self-sufficiency. Sukardi of Indonesia and “All of the first year was Ihis family to find closure focused on reestablishing and hope following the 2004 livelihood and helping indi- tsunami that devastated the viduals get back to work,”

coasts of Southeast Asia. RON TAYLOR BY PHOTOGRAPH said Brett Bass, director “We thought it was the of Church Humanitarian end of the world; it was Services. “Then we looked at unbelievable,” said Sukardi, our resources, identified the looking back to December most pressing needs, and 26, 2004, the day a massive refocused our efforts on underwater earthquake permanent reconstruction.” struck off the coast of The Church’s efforts Indonesia, causing a tsunami included constructing com- that killed more than 225,000 munity centers, homes, people in 11 countries. “But schools, medical clinics, and we are alive, and we are This new community center was provided next to the local clean water systems—all together, and we are happy.” mosque as part of the Church’s tsunami recovery efforts. made possible by a tremen- Sukardi, like thousands dous outpouring of humani- of others, lost family mem- supplies, and clothing. effort, fishermen and carpen- tarian generosity by Church bers and friends, his home, Because of members’ signifi- ters were given jobs con- members from around the land, and nearly his own cant donations, the Church structing more than 130 world. life. After being washed began planning longer-term replacement fishing boats. The Church’s monumen- away with the tsunami, he relief. As part of that long-term Men were hired to use large, tal efforts in Indonesia managed to grab hold of a coconut tree and cling to it as he waited for the flood- waters to recede. Joined by family members, each with similar survival stories, Sukardi now resides in a home built with the help of Latter-day Saint Charities, an arm of Church Humanitarian Services, as part of the Church’s efforts to assist tsunami survivors.

Committing to Long-Term Recovery The Church’s emergency relief efforts during the months immediately follow-

ing the tragedy provided RON TAYLOR BY PHOTOGRAPH commodities such as New teachers prepare to teach at the Min Lampuuk school, one of 15 built to replace schools food, hygiene kits, medical destroyed by the tsunami in 2004.

76 teachers from his school. schools; there were few “They have been going trained teachers left,” she to a temporary building for said. “This has been a great school—a community hall contribution to the commu- where there are about 40 nities. Together we are mak-

PHOTOGRAPH BY RON TAYLOR BY PHOTOGRAPH students in the room,” said ing a big difference in the Kamaruzzaman, who is now lives of the children, teach- a head schoolmaster of a ers, parents, and families.” newly built school. Each school building Providing Clean Water was furnished with desks, Fauziah, an animated and whiteboards, and libraries. smiling woman, is now a As more teachers became water operator for her small available, an emphasis was village near Bireuen in Aceh put on training and develop- Provence. In this position, ing new curriculum. she keeps records and col- Jim Greding shakes hands with Abdul Samad, who lived “The students now have lects water-usage fees from in community barracks with his children for two years after a better school that’s more those who use the commu- losing his wife and his mother. helpful to learning. They now nity’s new water system. have a more hopeful future,” In partnership with concluded in December reliable in their lives again. said Kamaruzzaman. International Relief and 2007. Major projects included “When the earthquake Herliana, an education Development, the Church building 902 homes and 3 hit and the tsunami followed, coordinator for Islamic Relief, completed 24 village water community centers, con- the first thing they did, if is proud to be a part of this projects that consisted of structing 15 schools, building they were in their house, project. “There were no renovating wells, installing 3 fully equipped health clin- was run outside,” said Jeff ics, rebuilding a hospital McMurdo from the Interna- wing, and completing 24 tional Organization for Other Aid Ongoing 2007, more than two dozen village water projects. Migration, which partnered in Indonesia humanitarian aid projects with the Church to build Though the Church has have been completed or Rebuilding Homes and Lives homes. “From the moment concluded a major under- are ongoing. Among those Abdul Samad lived in a it started, they were running. taking with its long-term projects were emergency hastily constructed commu- So when they get the keys tsunami relief projects in relief to victims of flooding nity barracks for two and a to a house, they are able to Indonesia, Humanitarian in Jakarta and Solo, of mud half years before he and his get some measure of closure Services will continue a flows in Java, and of earth- family moved into their new to the whole tragedy of the variety of ongoing aid proj- quakes in Sumatra and home. He lost his wife and tsunami experience.” ects and has no intention Bengkulu. her mother in the flood but of walking away from new Other projects include now hopes to make life bet- Establishing Schools relationships forged and donating wheelchairs and ter for his remaining family, and Hope old relationships strength- vocational training materi- three daughters and a son. The Church partnered ened during the tsunami als to the disabled, supply- Each of the 902 homes with Islamic Relief and the relief efforts. ing medical equipment built and donated is 44 Adventist Development and “We were doing humani- to a hospital, sponsoring square meters. The hundreds Relief Agency to build 15 tarian work in Indonesia a number of pediatric of recipients frequently said schools, train new teachers, before the tsunami, and surgeries, providing furni- they believe their homes and develop curriculum and we continue to do projects ture and sanitation equip- were the best homes built education support systems. in that nation today,” said ment to various schools, and that they would pass Many of the area’s Brett Bass, director of and overseeing several them on to their children teachers were killed in the Church Humanitarian projects to bring clean and grandchildren. They tsunami. Kamaruzzaman, a Services. water to villages that had expressed gratitude for hav- teacher from Banda Aceh, Since the beginning of none. ■ ing something solid and is one of just two surviving

ENSIGN JUNE 2008 77 challenges and over- toward reestablishing life. whelmed by the While these efforts played opportunity,” Brother just a small part among those Hamm said. of the many individuals and This opportunity organizations that offered aid

PHOTOGRAPH BY RON TAYLOR BY PHOTOGRAPH was also extended to the tsunami victims, the to Jim and Karen missionaries were able to Greding of Thousand share their love, the love of Oaks, California, USA. the members, and the pure They were called to love of Christ. oversee the comple- “We were not permitted tion of the projects to proselyte, but we were after Brother and representing the Lord and Sister Hamm’s tried to share our testimonies 18-month mission through our work by being concluded. kind and polite or simply by “We were to over- smiling,” Sister Hamm said. see the quality of the “Sometimes we had the work and to make opportunity to explain where sure the money allot- the funds came from, and we ted for projects was told about our prophet and being used properly,” how he called for a 24-hour Yards have already been enclosed around these two of the Sister Greding said. fast, with the money that more than 900 new homes built in Indonesia. Church representatives were would otherwise be spent present at every stage of the on food to be donated to storage tanks, improving clinics and the rebuilding process; that provision, com- a special fund. I think the sanitation, and upgrading of a hospital wing. bined with its funding meth- Spirit bore witness and they delivery systems. These “This is much-needed,” ods, distinguished the Church understood that there were efforts are providing clean said Syarman, a community from other organizations. individuals around the world water to 20,000 people. leader in the Bireuen district, “We regarded our finances who loved them.” “Before, it was hard to where access to medical care as sacred funds and made Evidences of the get good water and it took a previously required a 15-kilo- every effort to see these tsunami are still very much long time to go get it,” said meter walk. “Our people will funds used efficiently and not apparent, but the people Fauziah as she expressed be able to get needed med- wasted,” said Bill Reynolds, have expressed gratitude for gratitude to have access right ical assistance near their director of field operations every effort that has been outside her home. “Now our homes. It is better than for tsunami relief. “We pro- made on their behalf. children will be healthier and before, and we are grateful.” vided sequential funding that “This is simply an experi- will have a better future.” The Church also arranged relied on benchmark expecta- ence you can never forget, Bath and laundry facilities training for doctors and tions that we personally over- and anyone who travels to were also built in the villages, medical staff and provided saw. The organizations we these areas will not be able and residents received train- needed medical equipment. worked with knew that if we to miss the evidences of ing on how to take care of the said we wanted something destruction where the land facilities and keep them clean. Doing It the Lord’s Way done and in a certain way, became sea permanently, For Bill and Linda Hamm they needed to meet those where so many lost their Improving Health Care of Anchorage, Alaska, USA, expectations.” lives and loved ones,” Sister While each village also the work presented a per- Greding said. “But many who received personal hygiene sonal challenge: they were Restoring Hope were suspicious of Christians training, the more elaborate called to serve as humani- The Church focused on have changed their hearts. efforts to improve health tarian service missionaries helping Indonesia and its Some stared at us, but most care moved forward with to oversee tsunami relief people take a simple step in their limited English said the completion of three efforts in Indonesia. “We forward, a step away from to us, ‘Thank you, mister.’ fully equipped health were exhilarated by the tragedy and pain, a step We heard that often.” ■

78 TEMPLE NEWS take place on August 9 Spencer V. Jones of the Rexburg Temple Becomes before the four dedicatory Seventy, then President of sessions scheduled for the Central America Area, 125th in Operation Sunday, August 10, 2008. broke ground. The temple The temple will open for was announced in August resident Thomas S. worldwide and the third in ordinances on Monday, 2002. There are approxi- Monson dedicated Idaho. Approximately 200,000 August 11. mately 22,000 members in Pthe Rexburg Idaho individuals attended the open Construction began in seven stakes and three dis- Temple in four sessions on house during the month October 2005 after Elder tricts in Panama. ■ February 10, 2008, in one before the dedication. of his first acts as the 16th The 57,504-square-foot President of the Church. (5,100-square-meter) temple Twin Falls Idaho Temple He was accompanied by was first announced in Elder Russell M. Nelson and December 2003, and ground Set to Open Elder David A. Bednar of was broken in July 2005. The he First Presidency has the dedication the commu- the Quorum of the Twelve temple’s exterior features a announced open house nity will host a cultural cele- Apostles. quartz rock finish and 700 Tand dedication dates for bration. Located to the south of art-glass windowpanes. The the Twin Falls Idaho Temple, The Twin Falls Idaho Brigham Young University– temple serves approximately the Church’s 128th operating Temple will serve thousands Idaho, the Rexburg Idaho 47,000 Church members in temple. of members in 14 stakes in Temple is the Church’s 125th eastern Idaho. ■ A public open house will southern Idaho. Plans for be held July 11 through the temple were announced August 16, 2008, except for in October 2004, and ground Sundays. was broken in April 2006. Curitiba Brazil Temple The temple will be dedi- The temple will be the Dedication Set cated in four sessions on fourth in Idaho, the state August 24, 2008, and will with the third largest he Curitiba Brazil Porto Alegre, Recife, and open for ordinances the next membership in the United Temple was to be dedi- São Paulo. The Manaus day. On the evening prior to States. ■ Tcated in four sessions on Brazil Temple, which was June 1, 2008, following a cul- announced in 2007, will tural celebration on May 31 be Brazil’s sixth temple. and a public open house The Curitiba temple was from May 10 to 24. first announced in August The Curitiba Brazil 2002, and ground was broken Temple thus becomes the in March 2005. It will serve 126th temple operating more than 42,000 members, worldwide and the fifth including those from 21 in Brazil. Temples are stakes in the states of Paraná also located in Campinas, and Santa Catarina. ■ Dedication Announced for Panama City Temple

he First Presidency has The temple, which is the announced open house first in Panama, will open to Tand dedication dates the public on July 11, 2008, for the Panama City Panama and will remain open until

Temple, the 127th operating July 26, excluding Sundays. RESERVE,© 2008 INTELLECTUAL INC.; ALL RIGHTS RESERVED temple worldwide. A cultural celebration will Twin Falls Temple

ENSIGN JUNE 2008 79 IN THE NEWS Competition Seeks have access to materials such educational. I also liked the Art Submissions as music or video clips and Comments section that took our beliefs The Museum of Church can find direction to other about Christ and shared sup- History and Art invites mem- related sources. Raising the Bar porting scriptures from the bers from around the world We related strongly to the Bible and Book of Mormon. to submit their original art- Resource Available Online February 2008 Ensign article, With a lot of national media work for the Eighth Interna- for Military Families “Our Son’s Choices.” We had coverage on the Church tional Art Competition. The Supporting Military a similar experience with our lately, the issue couldn’t have theme is “Remembering the Families, a resource designed son, and are happy that he come at a better time. It gives Great Things of God.” About to meet the needs of military repented and is now living members a resource to 225 pieces will be selected for families in the Church, is now a gospel-oriented life. answer questions, or we can an exhibit to open in March available on LDS.org. The However, it sounds likely pass along the magazine to 2009. All submissions must be resource covers topics such that the events in your arti- our inquiring family and entered online or postmarked as preparing for deployment, cle took place before the friends. by October 10, 2008. More helping children cope, man- Church “raised the bar” for Jerelyn Dunaway, Utah information about the theme, aging financial challenges, missionaries. Although our rules, judging, and submis- and reintegrating into family son repented and spent a The March 2008 Ensign is, sions is available at lds.org/ life. To access the resource, year turning his life around, in my opinion, the finest yet. artcompetition. go to www.lds.org and click he was not able to serve a As I read each page, the Spirit on Serving in the Church, mission because of the seri- verified every word. I have New Resources Available then on Military Relations, ous nature of what he had not seen a more conclusive, on Church Music Site then on Resources for done. It is important for concise treatise of what the The Church music Web Military Members. members to know that while Latter-day Saints believe site now offers in French, repentance is always possi- about our Redeemer, Jesus Portuguese, and Spanish Art Used on Cover ble, serving a mission after Christ. lessons on conducting or of March Issue Available leading a wayward life may George Harris, Idaho accompanying music and PDF The art used as the not be. versions of the hymns and cover of the March Ensign Name Withheld The March 2008 issue is Hymns Made Easy, a book of and Liahona special issue truly outstanding in spiritual simplified hymns. Recordings on the Savior is available Teaching Support messages, scope of articles, from the Children’s Songbook through distribution I’ve been pondering for and artwork. All the illustra- and Hymns in Spanish have centers worldwide and some time how to increase tions are great, for they also been added. on LDScatalog.com. Jesus the amount of thoughtful enlarge the meaning of the To access the site visit Christ (detail from Christ discussion in my Relief articles, which teach of www.lds.org/churchmusic. with Boy), by Carl Heinrich Society class by asking the the deep meaning of the Bloch, will be available in right kinds of questions. My Atonement of our Lord and Site Offers Online Focus three different sizes. ■ prayers were answered by Savior Jesus Christ. My heart on the Savior Brian Gudmunson’s stimu- is moved. I shall go over the JesusChrist.lds.org, a lating article, “Questions, March issue repeatedly. Web site featuring the Savior, the Heart of Learning and Florence Hedgpeth, Oregon launched to English audi- Teaching” (Ensign, January ences on February 25, 2008, 2008, 26). It was perfect. Clarification with plans to be available in Thanks! The identification of Easy additional languages in the Jeanine Tew, Utah Company in the article, “Band future. Visitors will find infor- of Brothers” in the February mation, articles, and multime- March Issue on the Savior: 2008 Ensign is incomplete. It dia presentations about the The March 2008 Ensign should be Easy Company, 2nd Savior focusing on three main was great! Not only was it Battalion, 506th Parachute themes: faith in Jesus Christ, touching, with personal testi- Infantry Regiment, 101st His life and ministry, and testi- monies and experiences, but Airborne Division. ■ monies of Him. Visitors will

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