Elder Robert D. Hales

Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, encouraged this year's graduates of Brigham Young University to avoid going into debt.

Elder Hales told the crowd in the Marriott Center for Thursday's (April 27, 2006) commencement rites they should perform "plastic surgery" on their credit cards. Unless you can pay off the balance every month, he told graduates, the plastic cards should be cut up and discarded.

"If you had to go into debt to obtain your education, I encourage you to repay your debts as soon as possible," he said. "Then go forward with commitment not to finance on credit any item of any kind, except perhaps a house and vehicle that are well within your means."

Presiding Bishop H. David Burton

In a luncheon, the United Way of Salt Lake on Wednesday, April 26, 2006, honored businesses and individuals that helped support the organization during the past year.

Presiding Bishop H. David Burton of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received the day's most prestigious award, the United Way's compassionate leader of the year. In presenting the award, last year's winner, developer Kem Gardner, called Bishop Burton "a champion whose service to this community is unequaled and whose tireless efforts to help people of this community and their families is unsurpassed."

Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi

Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 1977, shared words of encouragement and a powerful testimony during special meetings on April 20 with Korean and Japanese students at BYU-Hawaii.

Elder Kikuchi, the first native-born Japanese to be called as a General Authority, and his wife, Sister Toshiko Kikuchi, stopped over for the meetings in Laie en route to an stake conference assignment. He is currently serving in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the Church temple and curriculum committees, but previously was a member of the Asia North Area Presidency that includes Japan and the Korean peninsula, and also president of the Tokyo Temple and the Hawaii Honolulu Mission.

http://www.byuh.edu/whatsnew/index.jsp?whatID=4981

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Elder Russell M. Nelson and 49 religious leaders from around the country have signed a letter that calls for a U.S. constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, signed on behalf of the LDS Church. The letter is intended to help sway the U.S. Senate, which is expected to vote in June on a resolution that calls for the marriage amendment.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635202305,00.html

First Presidency

Temple announced

Cebu, Philippines
April 29, 2006

Construction of a new temple in Cebu, Philippines, has been announced by the First Presidency. The announcement was made by a letter dated April 18 to Philippines priesthood leaders. The new temple will be the second for the Philippines and located in an area that will reduce travel for many of the members in the southern islands. Currently, 122 temples are operating in the Church, and an additional 10, including this one, have been announced for construction.

"We are confident this will be a blessing to the many faithful saints in this and surrounding areas who have had to travel long distances to enjoy the blessings of the temple," the letter stated. "Specific stakes to be included in the temple district will be announced at a later date."

The letter invited members who desire to contribute financially toward the construction of the temple to do so as their circumstances permit.

"In harmony with the spirit of the local unit budget allowance program, priesthood leaders should not conduct fund-raising efforts or establish assessments or goals for this purpose. "Members who would like to donate should simply indicate 'temple' on the 'other' line of the donation receipt. Wards will then transfer these funds to the nearest Presiding Bishopric Administrative Office on a monthly basis.

"We commend the saints for their devotion and faithfulness and are thankful for the blessings that will come to them through the construction of this new temple."

http://www.desnews.com/cn/view/1,1721,445005995,00.html

Elder Harold G. Hillam

Elder Harold G. Hillam, an emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and current president of the Boise Idaho Temple, addressed Brigham Young University–Idaho students during devotional on Tuesday, April 4 about the importance of the temple.

Elder Russell M. Nelson

Elder Russell M. Nelson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was married in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday, April 6, to Wendy Watson, a professor of marriage and family therapy at Brigham Young University.

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635197769,00.html