are helping recruit index vol- FamilySearch Indexing: Anyone Can Help unteers in many countries to become a part of the global with Family History Anytime, Anywhere effort. By Eric Eames, Church Magazines “Now that records for more countries are available, s they pore over digi- program is because the soft- a batch, I upload it, and it’s more members are enthusias- A tized census records ware is designed to fit a busy done. I think this is great for tic about participating,” said and church ledgers, lifestyle. Previously known as a lot of people who would Francisco Javier Gómez, Church members participat- extraction, indexing was once not find the time with the FamilySearch support man- ing in FamilySearch indexing a time-consuming process old extraction model.” ager for the South America are reminded that with every of shuffling through paper Indexing creates data files North Area. “They feel that click of the mouse a person copies, taking weeks to do from digitized records, which this is one more proof that comes closer to being found a single batch. allows the information to the Church is really engaged and closer to receiving tem- With the help of digitiza- become searchable through in helping the whole world to ple ordinances. tion and the Internet, each a free electronic database on get to know their ancestors.” The vision of volunteer- batch of names now takes FamilySearch.org. There is no based FamilySearch indexing some 30 minutes to com- minimum or maximum limit Indexing Strengthens projects is spreading world- plete. Volunteers are given to how many names an indi- Testimonies, Unity wide from Latin America to a week to complete a batch, vidual can do. Every name In 2007, students in the Asia and from the old to the and they can save their work indexed makes a difference Logan Utah University Fifth young. Members with access at any time and start again in helping people locate their Stake not only met their goal to the Internet are taking later where they left off. ancestors. of indexing 100,000 names, advantage of FamilySearch’s “What I really like about FamilySearch has a variety but exceeded it by 3,000. user-friendly Web site and indexing is that you can do it of indexing projects available They surpassed that total taking time to index between on your time, one batch at a in Dutch, English, French, after the first two months classes, during work breaks, time,” said Patricia Mollemans German, Italian, and Spanish. in 2008 while on the way or in place of watching of Germany. “It is not over- Indexing projects in Czech to shattering their new goal television. whelming; it can be done and Russian are forthcoming. of 200,000 names. For some people like in half an hour or so. I do Area FamilySearch managers But results can’t always Austin Corry, a university be quantified. Blessings have student in the United States come to many in the form and a member of the Logan of strengthened testimonies University 15th Ward, Logan because of their efforts with Utah University Fifth Stake, the program. Elaine Mander, indexing has became a fun, a FamilySearch representative relaxing experience. in West Midlands, United “I found time to index 15 Kingdom, said indexing has minutes here, an hour there,” brought her closer to heaven said Brother Corry, who has more than any other form of indexed more than 17,000 service. names in his spare time. “It The effort put forth in really isn’t an inconvenience, the Logan stake has unified but a great opportunity to wards. Individually, students bring the Spirit into your have turned their eyes to everyday life.” the temple, gaining a greater appreciation for its signifi- Global Indexing cance by committing them- Fits a Busy Life selves to maintain their

One of the reasons WELDEN ANDERSEN BY PHOTOGRAPH covenants and live temple FamilySearch users world- Now anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can standards. wide love the indexing help with family history. “The Spirit is present,”

74 said Kay Baker, stake high councilor over the indexing New Temple work. “As young people get on the computer and start Presidents entering names and doing family history work, they Now Serving find it fun and exhilarating.” PHOTOGRAPH BY WELDEN ANDERSEN BY PHOTOGRAPH Activity has also increased y assignment from the among less-active members BFirst Presidency, 39 as bishops have given them new temple presidents assignments to do indexing. are now serving with their “[Through indexing] they spouses. The presidents of can serve and feel like they the Panama City Panama, are contributing, and it has Rexburg Idaho, and Twin Falls helped some of them come Idaho Temples began serving back into activity and to cor- earlier in 2008 after the tem- rect what was wrong in their ples were dedicated. The lives,” said Bruce M. Cook, president of the Draper Utah recently released president Temple will begin serving af- of the student stake. ter the temple is dedicated on March 20, 2009. Students Redefining Stereotypes Members around the world are spending a little time each Temple New President While family history week to help prepare indexes. work is generally regarded Adelaide Australia Philip F. Howes as the domain of older mem- on their own family roots important for all members Apia Samoa John P. Hanks bers, the students contradict and to do temple work. In to become involved with Asunción Paraguay David K Udall that stereotype. Some ward 2007 students in the stake indexing and family history Baton Rouge Louisiana Max P. Brough socials and family home researched and cleared work,” Sister Olsen said. “If Bern Switzerland Raimondo Castellani evenings in the stake have some 2,500 family names we always leave the responsi- Billings Montana Ronald M. Morrison turned into indexing “extrava- for temple ordinances. bility up to someone else, it Bismarck North Dakota ganzas.” Between completing “I think that it is really will never get done.” ■ John R. Reese index batches, students snack Bogotá Colombia Jorge J. Escobar on treats, socialize, or play a New Technology Sparks Youth Interest Boise Idaho Wenden W. Waite game of volleyball. Some of Columbia South Carolina these socials have lasted into in Family History Brent H. Koyle the wee hours of the morn- amilySearch public “As opportunities to do Curitiba Brazil Jason G. Sousa ing, with students signed up Faffairs manager family history or volunteer Draper Utah Donald L. Staheli to come in at various times of Paul Nauta said the online grow, youth seem Freiberg Germany Frank H. Apel the night. One ward started Church-owned family his- naturally primed to get Guayaquil Ecuador Jorge A. Rojas an indexing marathon at tory service is thrilled to involved,” Brother Nauta Idaho Falls Idaho Larry G. Stoddard 6:00 p.m. and ended at see the increasing volume said. Jordan River Utah 8:00 a.m. the next day. of teenagers and college Anyone interested in F. Wayne Chamberlain “It was fun to see mem- students who are motivated family history work can Kona Hawaii Opurainonarii Mo’o bers of the bishopric and to do indexing work or become an indexer by Logan Utah W. Rolfe Kerr high council stay up through search for their own ances- going to the Web site, Los Angeles California the night with students to tors. He also hopes contin- FamilySearchIndexing.org, Grant R Brimhall [help us] reach our goals,” ued enhancements to the clicking on the Volunteer Louisville Kentucky Dale R. Hettinger Belinda Olsen, a member FamilySearch Web site will link, and following the Lubbock Texas E. Dale Cluff of the stake, said. attract more technology- step-by-step download Madrid Spain Garry K. Moore The indexing has moti- minded youth. instructions. ■ Mount Timpanogos Utah vated some to begin working L. Edward Brown

ENSIGN DECEMBER 2008 75 Church Aids Victims of Hurricanes

any people were Maffected by the 2008 hurricane season. Power outages, flooding, and other physical damages to homes left many without The Guayaquil Ecuador Temple is 1 of 39 temples with new temple presidents. shelter. During Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in August Newport Beach California Salt Lake Sheldon F. Child The Hague Netherlands and September, more D. Thomas Borgquist San Antonio Texas Marion D. Woods Jacob J. Van Ry than 20 Church buildings Oakland California Richard A. Hunter San Diego California Bruce L. Olsen Toronto Ontario Stephen M. Hadley throughout the Caribbean Ogden Utah Robert R. Steuer Snowflake Arizona Lewis Tenney Twin Falls Idaho Donald R. Gerratt and the United States Panama City Panama Ronald D. Jamison Suva Fiji LaRon P. Woolley Vernal Utah Mac W. Holmes were used as shelters. Rexburg Idaho Val R. Christensen Sydney Australia W. John Bailey Washington D.C. Earl C. Tingey ■ Approximately 35 member homes were destroyed, and more than 250 were Church Helps DR Congo seriously damaged. In an effort to help storm- Reduce Preventable Deaths stricken areas, the Church ith help from Church family that has not lost at primary vaccinations such as responded quickly, sending WHumanitarian least one child, and some measles, polio, tetanus, and much-needed help and sup- Services, vaccination have lost many.” tuberculosis. plies. Priesthood leaders campaigns are spreading from But the real tragedy is that “[The Church’s] gift worked with other organiza- the main cities to the most re- a simple, inexpensive vaccine will help us educate families tions to distribute supplies. mote villages in Africa to pre- could have saved many lives. and make them healthier,” vent contagious diseases. In 2007 Church humanitarian said Dr. Charlotte Ngokaba, Hurricane Gustav With one out of five chil- volunteers helped publicize National Director of Vacci- Hurricane Gustav, the sec- dren dying there each year the country’s measles vaccina- nations in the DR Congo. ond major hurricane of 2008, from preventable diseases, tion program. As a result, Since 2003, nearly 60,000 formed on August 25, 2008, the Democratic Republic of more than 670,000 children Church volunteers have about 260 miles (420 km) the Congo has received pro- received measles vaccinations. teamed with the World southeast of Port-au-Prince, motional assistance from the DR Congo health officials Health Organization (WHO), Haiti, and eventually caused Church to attempt to reverse were so impressed by how UNICEF, the American Red serious damage in the the trend. the Church handled its part of Cross, and local Ministries Dominican Republic; Haiti; “The childhood death rate the measles campaign, which of Health to decrease the Jamaica; the Cayman Islands; in the Congo is very high, included radio and television measles death rate. Cuba; and Florida, Louisiana, because people are unable to advertising, they asked for According to a WHO Mississippi, Alabama, and afford health care and often help with another project. report, these efforts are pay- Arkansas in the United States. delay seeking help until it is In 2008 the Church ing off. Measles deaths in Torrential rain and strong too late,” said Sister Marilyn paid for the production of Africa have dropped 93 per- winds blew through Haiti Barlow, a humanitarian serv- updated materials—posters cent since 1999. Worldwide on August 26 as Hurricane ices missionary serving in the and flip charts—so the gov- measles deaths have fallen 73 Gustav left people homeless DR Congo with her husband, ernment could train health percent, from nearly 900,000 and without many necessi- Farrell. “Even among Church specialists and educate moth- in 1999 to an estimated ties. At least four major members it is hard to find a ers about the importance of 242,000 in 2006. ■ storms hit the area during

76 destruction, approximately 1,300 cleanup workers. 18,500 member volunteer During the two-day period PHOTOGRAPH BY CARINA OLSEN BY PHOTOGRAPH hours were given over a two- about 2,500 projects were day period by approximately completed. ■

ON THE WEB

Church Gives Mormon.org Joseph Smith Manual PDFs New Look, More Content Available in 11 Languages To improve Mormon The Church Curriculum .org, the Church has made Department has expanded David Dickamore, wearing a Mormon Helping Hands shirt, navigation and visual the online availability of cuts limbs from a tree blown down by Hurricane Ike in Texas. changes to the site and the manual Teachings of added more multimedia Presidents of the Church: the 2008 hurricane season Additional assistance from content, including testi- Joseph Smith to 11 (Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike). the bishops’ storehouse in monies from General languages. The Church sent three Slidell, Louisiana, provided Authorities and members PDF files and MP3 audio planeloads of supplies to Port- food, water, generators, tools, around the world and files of the manual are avail- au-Prince, and priesthood sleeping bags, chain saws, a new video entitled able in Cantonese, English, leaders worked with multiple tarps, and other smaller items. Finding Happiness. The French, German, Italian, organizations to help distrib- updated site launched in Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, ute the aid. Included in the Hurricane Ike September 2008 in English Portuguese, Russian, and supplies were hygiene kits, The third major hurri- and is expected to be Spanish. Files for American hand soap, cleaning kits, cane of 2008, Hurricane Ike, available in Spanish by Sign Language are also tents, generators, plastic stormed through Haiti, the early 2009. Later in 2009 available. sheeting, hammers, and Dominican Republic, Cuba, the site will be made avail- Access the manual and nails. The Church also sent and the United States, leav- able in an additional other Church publications additional funds to purchase ing a trail of destruction in 21 languages. at www.lds.org/gospel food and other necessary early September 2008. States library/pdfindex. relief supplies. in the U.S. affected included Meetinghouse Locator Many Church members Mississippi, Louisiana, and Updated on LDS.org Country Web Sites in Haiti assisted in putting Texas. The Church upgraded Continue to Grow together and organizing relief In preparation for its online meetinghouse New Church country supplies that were then dis- Hurricane Ike, the Church locator in August 2008, Web sites in English for tributed to areas of need. sent supplies to Slidell, providing users with more the countries of the Pacific In addition to the relief Louisiana, and to Houston, precise directions to meet- Area and in Tahitian for efforts in Haiti, aid was sent Carrollton, Lufkin, and San inghouses throughout the Tahiti launched in August to help victims in the south- Antonio, Texas. More than world, access for mobile 2008. There are now 64 ern United States, also hard 9,000 cleaning kits were dis- devices, and lists of differ- country sites with others hit by the storms. The Church tributed to the various areas ent types of congregations (Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, donated more than 20 truck- before the storm hit. nearby, including language- Paraguay, Philippines, loads of supplies, including Other supplies sent as specific wards or branches Portugal, and Uruguay) more than 7 truckloads of part of the prepositioning and young single adult under construction. A link hygiene kits (103,600) and strategy included a supply of units. The meetinghouse to the different country 11 truckloads of cleaning food and hygiene products locator can be accessed at sites can be found on kits (22,176). Food boxes along with assorted emer- maps.lds.org or through LDS.org under “About intended to feed a family of gency supplies. Included LDS.org (click on About the Church.” The country four were distributed to some were blankets, sleeping bags, the Church, then Find sites get nearly 150,000 1,200 families. Each food box work gloves, chain saws, a Meetinghouse) and visitors per month with included rice, vegetable oil, wheelbarrows, first aid kits, Mormon.org (click on about a million pages peanut butter, fruit drink mix, cots, tents, and water. Worship with Us). viewed. ■ and assorted canned goods. In response to the

ENSIGN DECEMBER 2008 77 SERVING IN THE COMMUNITY Church Assists Victims in Eastern Europe Flood he Church sent funds missionaries assembled Tin August 2008 to pur- hygiene and cleaning kits, chase emergency sup- cleaned up, and helped repair plies after at least 65 people damaged homes, which in died and nearly 90,000 homes some cases were made JOSE MORAS SANDOVAL BY PHOTOGRAPH were damaged by the worst primarily of mud and straw. flooding in 200 years in parts The flooding also damaged of Ukraine, Moldova, and more than 200,000 acres Romania. Members and (90,000 ha) of farmland. ■

Members of the Chilpancingo Mexico Stake plant more than 5,000 trees as part of a service project. Members in Mexico Plant Thousands of Trees bout 120 members and four branches helped Aof the Chilpancingo with the project. Wearing Mexico Stake planted white Mormon Helping more than 5,000 trees in Hands vests, members of all Petaquillas, a community in ages spread out over the spec-

PHOTOGRAPH BY GERALD D. JACOBS GERALD D. BY PHOTOGRAPH Chilpancingo, capital of the ified area with shovels and This home was one of 90,000 damaged by historic flooding state of Guerrero. Members spent the day digging holes in Eastern Europe. from the stake’s eight wards and planting the trees. ■

TEMPLE NEWS was first announced on 128th operating temple in the October 2, 2004, and the world and the fourth in Idaho. Draper Utah Temple groundbreaking occurred “We are grateful for this on August 5, 2006. The tem- long-awaited day of dedica- Dates Announced ple will officially open on tion, when this, Thy holy he First Presidency has dated September 15, 2008. Monday, March 23, 2009. ■ house, has been completed,” Tannounced open house The open house is set to said President Monson in the and dedication dates begin on Thursday, January 15, dedicatory prayer. “Bless, we for the Draper Utah Temple. 2009, and is scheduled to Temple Open pray Thee, those faithful mem- This will be the 12th operat- continue until Saturday, bers here and throughout the ing temple in Utah and the March 14, 2009, excluding in Twin Falls world who have contributed 129th worldwide. Sundays. The dedication their tithes, which have made “We, with you, look for- will be held from Friday, he Twin Falls Idaho possible this magnificent edi- ward to the dedication of March 20, through Sunday, TTemple is open and fice for Thy name’s honor and this house of the Lord and March 22, 2009, with four operating after its dedi- glory and for the blessing of all the blessing it will be to the dedicatory sessions held cation on August 24, 2008, who enter herein.” Saints,” the First Presidency on each of the three days. by President Thomas S. The new temple district said in a letter to members The Draper temple Monson. This marks the includes 14 stakes serving

78 Service by Nigerian Saints Affects Community

n July 19, 2008, Church their yellow Mormon members from the Helping Hands vests, the PHOTOGRAPH BY NETTIE ATKISSON NETTIE ATKISSON BY PHOTOGRAPH O Ile-Ife Nigeria District members spent 10 hours removed garbage and sludge clearing a trench that runs from a plugged drainage alongside a road in the system that was overflowing town’s commercial quarter. and disrupting many busi- People from other faiths nesses. Distinguished by joined in as they could. ■

Members of the San Francisco California Stake cleaned up Pratt Place, a street named after Mormon emigrants who settled there in 1846. San Francisco Stake Remembers the Past or the San Francisco Joice Street, Pratt Place, and FCalifornia Stake’s 80th Brooklyn Place appreciated anniversary, members members removing trash cleaned three inner-city and weeds in July 2008. Some streets—two named after 250 Saints first arrived at Yerba Mormon pioneers and one Buena on the ship Brooklyn after a New York ship that in 1846. They helped build the carried hundreds of Saints tiny village into a town, which OLUWASEUN FAMUYIWA BY PHOTOGRAPH to the Bay Area before the was renamed San Francisco Members of the Ile-Ife Nigeria District clear a clogged Gold Rush. Residents on six months later. ■ drainage trench.

approximately 42,000 mem- bers in the south-central Laie Hawaii Temple Idaho area. Temple visitors can see the beautiful Idaho Closes for Renovations scenery of waterfalls and the syringa flower (Idaho state o return the temple to its Hawaii Temple district will flower) represented within Toriginal beauty and bring have access to the Kona the 31,500-square-foot (2,900- it up to date with current Hawaii Temple, giving all square-meter) temple’s walls, temple standards, the Laie members the opportunity stained glass, and landscaping. Hawaii Temple will close on to attend the temple, More than 150,000 visi- Monday, December 29, 2008, including those receiving tors toured the temple dur- for renovations to begin early their own ordinances. ing an open house held the next year. The renovation is The Laie Hawaii Temple month before the dedica- expected to be finished in ap- was first dedicated by tion. The temple was first proximately 18 months, and President Heber J. Grant in The Twin Falls Idaho announced in October 2004, the temple will be rededicated 1919 and was later rededi- Temple was dedicated and ground was broken in after the project is complete. cated after renovation and in August 2008. April 2006. ■ Members in the Laie expansion in 1978. ■

ENSIGN DECEMBER 2008 79 NEW PRODUCTS COMMENT

New Era Special Issue from LDS.org in multiple Power of the Word site www.familysearch.org Still Available media formats including text, Thank you for “Finding provides numerous resources A special issue of the New audio, and video versions. Comfort in King Benjamin’s for those wishing to start or Era published in October The new DVD set is available Counsel” (Ensign, Aug. 2008, continue family history work, 2008 was written to encour- through distribution centers. 25). I was reminded again including a locator for local age youth to be firm in their of the power of the word of family history centers. faith and make good deci- Triple Released in Chinese God. As a mother, I try to sions. The issue includes (Simplified Characters) relate the experiences my Touching the Heart counsel from Church leaders A new edition of the triple children are having to the During my husband’s and others on everyday combination in Chinese (sim- scriptures, but I don’t always stay in the cardiac care unit, challenges such as integrity, plified characters) was made take the time to actually I sat reading the August 2008 mental and physical health, available through Church dis- read the specific scripture. I Ensign. It gave me comfort, entertainment and media, tribution centers in October was inspired to do that more strength, and hope. I high- relationships, and personal 2008. The edition includes often. I also felt the confir- lighted many phrases. The testimony. A section on the the Book of Mormon, the mation of the Spirit as I read magazine spoke to my heart. 18 topics in For the Strength Doctrine and Covenants, this experience. The scrip- I continued to read, and of Youth features stories, the Pearl of Great Price, and tures really can make such a realized upon turning one explanations, and examples a study aid titled Guide to difference in how we under- last page that I had read the of living the principles taught the Scriptures. The Book of stand our purposes here and whole magazine. I had such in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Mormon in Chinese (simpli- the love our Heavenly Father a feeling of anxiousness, of Two wallet-sized For the fied characters) was published has for us. Thanks! needing to read more, of Strength of Youth booklets are in 2001. The Book of Mormon Johanna Wood being sorry it was over. included, along with “stan- in Chinese (traditional charac- Colorado, USA I have a week until the dards” cards, a resource to ters) was published in 1965, September issue comes. I’m help answer questions about and the triple in 2007. No Travel Necessary excited to get my hands on dating, the Word of Wisdom, I was very excited to see it. Thank you for all the time, and whether Mormons are Book of Mormon that the September Latter-day wisdom, and love that go into Christian. Printed in Sinhala Saint Voices stories (p. 68) these publications. The New Era is available Translation and production focused on family history. I Cathy Gage in distribution centers and of the Book of Mormon in was disappointed, however, Washington State, USA online at LDSCatalog.org. Sinhala, one of Sri Lanka’s offi- that two of the four stories cial languages, was finished discussed expensive family Healing from Abuse Scripture Stories Available in August 2008. Distribution history-related trips. Many Thank you so much for Online and on DVD of the Sinhala version of people do not get involved the article “Hope and Healing The illustrated Scripture the Book of Mormon began with family history because in Recovering from Abuse” Stories series is now available in September. Since 1983 it can seem very daunting to (Ensign, Sept. 2008, 36). It is online and on DVD. The story- Sinhala-speaking members get started. I worry that after what I went through. I loved books have been a great have had only portions of the seeing these stories people the choice of words and the resource for many years, help- Book of Mormon. There are who are hesitant to get understanding. I felt that the ing young children understand more than 16 million Sinhala started will now also think author really knew what she the scriptures through easy-to- speakers. that they need to become was talking about, like she understand text and pictures. Sri Lanka, located just off world travelers if they want was right there with me. The books also include maps, the southeast coast of India, to begin their own family his- I have a testimony of glossaries, and timelines for is home to more than 20 mil- tory. Opportunities for pow- the Atonement of our Savior additional information. lion people and is part of erful personal experiences Jesus Christ. I know He The series includes stories the Singapore Mission. The involving family history rarely knows me and what I have from the Old Testament, New Church was officially recog- require any travel at all. been through. Thanks so Testament, Book of Mormon, nized in Sri Lanka on March 2, Sherry Lindsay much for reminding me. and Doctrine and Covenants 1979. The other official lan- New Zealand I know it will be OK! and can now be downloaded guage in Sri Lanka is Tamil. ■ Editor’s note: The Web Name Withheld

80