President Boyd K. Packer

With little advance notice, 2,200 young adults gathered Jan. 20, 2006 in Guatemala City for a historic fireside by President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve, and Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Presidency of the Seventy.

President Packer was also accompanied by Elders Spencer V. Jones and W. Douglas Shumway of the Seventy, who are the president and first counselor of the Central America Area, as well as Elders Nelson Altamirano and Poloski Cordon, Area Seventies.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Church spokeswoman Kim Farah said that although President Gordon B. Hinckley remains hospitalized, his attending physicians’ note that his progress is good and it is anticipated he will soon be released from the hospital.

Elder W. Rolfe Kerr

There seems to be conflicting information on the Church websites about the CES fireside scheduled for February 5, 2006. Here, ldsces.org states that Elder W. Rolfe Kerr will be speaking. However, here, the Church states that M. Russell Ballard will be speaking.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Presidency of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will speak at a Brigham Young University campus devotional on Tuesday, January 31, 2006, at 11:05 a.m. in the Marriott Center.

Elder L. Tom Perry

Elder L. Tom Perry, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke at the Brigham Young University-Idaho devotional Tuesday, January 24. He counseled listeners to remain strong in the gospel in spite of the ever-changing values in the world.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley was hospitalized Tuesday, January 24, 2006, after doctors discovered and removed a cancerous growth in his large intestine.

Elder L. Tom Perry

On Wednesday, January 11, 2006, LDS Apostle L. Tom Perry Jr. told an overflow crowd at the dedication of the newly refurbished 124-year-old Cache County (Utah) courthourse, on the corner of 200 North and Main Street in Logan that this event was remarkable - and not only because it marked the preservation of the community's pioneer heritage.

The 124-year-old Cache County Courthouse in the heart of downtown Logan on the corner of 200 North and Center Street was refurbished for $2.5 million and unveiled Wednesday afternoon. The courthouse was designed in 1882 by Truman Angell, Jr., who also built the Logan Temple and tabernacle buildings. It is is the oldest building in the historical territory of Deseret Ð from the Sierra Nevadas to the Continental Divide to Southern California - to have been in constant governmental use.

The article mentioned that "two old friends, named after fathers L. Tom Perry Sr. and Newel Daines Sr., were reunited for the dedication of the Cache County Courthouse Wednesday in the very room where, as young children, they watched their fathers practice law - often on opposite sides of a case."

Elder Richard G. Scott

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve was in Provo, UT at the MTC on January 10, 2006 during the first day of the 2006 Seminar for New Missionary Training Center Presidents and Visitors Center Directors.

Elder Richard G. Scott emphasized the importance of Preach My Gospel as he taught them about their responsibilities and how they should coordinate with other leaders with whom they will be working.

First Presidency

As stated in the Church News:

"The First Presidency wishes to convey their gratitude to those who have sent letters, cards, and mementos to the Office of the First Presidency sharing their experiences and testimonies resulting from reading the Book of Mormon before the end of 2005. The Brethren regret that they are unable to respond personally to these letters but express their sincere gratitude that so many have been blessed as a result of this effort."

Elder Richard G. Scott

The Church recently announced that members have been provided with a new way to share the gospel using pass-along cards. Those who have businesses, offices, or stores frequented by the public can now display pass-along cards using new upright displays that are available for purchase through Church distribution centers.


Elder Richard G. Scott, a member Quorum of the Twelve apostles and a member of the Missionary Executive Council, said: “We have found that pass-along cards are an easy way for members to invite those who are not of our faith to learn more about the restored gospel. They are an effective tool for members and missionaries all across the world. We anticipate that these displays will make pass-along cards more readily available to those who would be blessed by hearing the gospel.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Sometime during the week of January 1-7, 2006, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley attended the annual Deseret Morning News Board of Directors Holiday Dinner. Reporter Jerry Johnson of the Deseret Morning News, and Mr. Johnston's wife, had the wonderful (random) opportunity to sit by Pres. Hinckley while they ate.

This delightful article shares some of the dinner conversation shared between the Johnstons and Pres. Hinckley.

One of my favorite sections of the article was the following:

"At one point the conversation turned to high school. I asked President Hinckley if he'd played sports. He said, 'no.' I asked if he performed in high school plays. 'No,' he said.

"I asked what he'd done in high school.

"There was a twinkle. 'I went to school,' he said."

Elder Cecil O. Samuelson

President Samuelson (President of BYU and general authority) is getting around. Two days after he spoke to the students at BYU in Provo, he did a devotional for the students at BYU-Hawaii. The devotional at BYU-Hawaii occurred on Thursday, January 12, 2006.

Elder Cecil O. Samuelson

On Tuesday, January 10, 2006, Elder Cecil O. Samuelson and his wife welcomed BYU students back from Christmas vacation at the Marriott Center during the first devotional of the new semester, which began Monday.

His message was that wisdom and a healthy self-esteem should be qualities cultivated by Brigham Young University students.

President Gordon B. Hinckley and Elder M. Russell Ballard

President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke at today's funeral for Elder Morgan Young. He was the missionary killed in Virginia last week. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also spoke.

Elder Cecil O. Samuelson

On Sunday, January 8, 2006, Elder Cecil O. Samuelson, BYU University President and a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, presided over and spoke at a 40 minute sacrament meeting at the BYU Wilkinson Center with several BYU football recruits (and their families) present. BYU conditioning coach, Jay Omer, conducted the meeting. Two current football players also spoke at the meeting.

Member of the First Presidency and Elder M. Russell Ballard

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and a member of the church's First Presidency will speak at the funeral of Elder Morgan W. Young, the missionary that was shot and killed in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake, Va. while serving his mission.

The funeral for Morgan Young will be held at noon Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at the Bountiful 31st Ward, 585 E. Center St., Bountiful, Utah.

Elder M. Russell Ballard

Elder M. Russell Ballard was interviewed on Friday, January 6, 2005, by the Deseret Morning News in Salt Lake City regarding the recent missionary deaths.

The slaying of Elder Morgan W. Young on Monday in Chesapeake, Va., and the deaths of two LDS missionaries in New Zealand Friday prompted Elder Ballard to discuss missionary safety with members of the news media Friday afternoon.

President Cammon Arrington

Cammon Arrington, president of the California Santa Rosa Mission, reported that all missionaries, members, and facilities belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California are reported safe after more than 10 days of storms, mudslides, and severe flooding.

The string of storms claimed two lives, caused damages topping $200 million and left 7 counties in California in a state of emergency, with 16 more declared as disaster areas.

LDS Church Statement

Church Expresses Sympathy in Missionary Incident

4 January 2006

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church released the following statement following the tragic death of one of its missionaries and the wounding of another in Chesapeake, Virginia, on Monday, 2 January 2005:

“We are deeply saddened at the death of Elder Morgan Winslow Young. Our hearts reach out in sympathy, love and appreciation to his parents, family members and friends at this difficult time. We pray that they will find peace and comfort in the promises of the Lord concerning those who give their lives in His service.

“We have been heartened by the many expressions of sympathy and regret by the good people of Virginia who join with us in mourning his loss.“We likewise express our sympathy and love for Elder Joshua Dirk Heidbrink, who sustained serious injuries in the same incident. We are grateful that his life was spared and pray for his complete recovery.

“We assure those currently serving missions or who are contemplating missionary service that the Church will continue to make every effort to safeguard the health and safety of missionaries throughout the world.”

M. Russell Ballard

A CES Fireside for Young Adults will be transmitted over the Church satellite system on February 5, 2006, with subsequent rebroadcasts to many areas of the world. The speaker will be Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The broadcast will originate from the Marriott Center on the Brigham Young University campus.