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Show ! TIMES Submit a Guest Editorial or Opinion at our office, located locat-ed at 538 South State in Orem. Deadlines are Monday 10:00 a.m. All submissions are subject to editing lor length, and The Orem-Geneva Times reserves the right to publish or not to publish a submission. pinion A2, Thursday, October 16, 2003 V, A COMMENTARY & Q (Editorial) October Means Utahns can stop watering According to the Governor's Water Conservation Team, fall's cooler temperatures mean Utahns in Northern and Central Utah can shut off their sprinkler systems for the winter and those living in Southern Utah can continue con-tinue to reduce their outdoor out-door watering. "October is when the weather really starts to get cool We usually see our first frost then," says Division of Water Resources Director and Governor's Water Conservation Team member Larry Anderson. "At the point the lawns in Central and Northern Utah are practically dormant for the winter so residents can go ahead and turn off their sprinkler systems. Their lawns will come back just fine in the spring." The Governor's Water Conservation Team also recommends rec-ommends those living in Southern Utah water no more than once every seven to ten days for 27 minutes or turn off their sprinkler system completely and only water again when their feet leave imprints in the grass. For some landscapes, this may only be once every ten days or two weeks depending depend-ing on the landscape and soil type. The majority of Utah's wasted water is a result of poor outdoor watering practices. prac-tices. Until recently, Utahns typically applied about twice as much water to their landscapes as necessary. As a result of Utahns response to the conservation message that waste has decreased noticeably. The Governor's Water Conservation Team suggest that with the cooler months ahead, Utahns should focus on indoor water conservation conserva-tion practices. There are plenty of simply things that can be done indoors that can save a significant amount of water, such as only washing full loads in the dishwater and clothes washer and checking toilets for leaks. For more indoor water saving tips visit www. conserve water, utah. go v. "Utahns have done a great job this year conserv ing water," says Anderson. "Now that we are heading into cooler month it is still important we continue to have conservation on our minds." The Governor's Water Conservation Team's purpose pur-pose is to manage the state's water supply effectively and establish a long-term conservation con-servation ethic among Utahns. Their objective is to reduce per capita municipal and industrial water use by at least 25 percent by 2050. For more water conservation conserva-tion techniques, or to learn more about water conservation conserva-tion in general or the Slow the Flow campaign, visit www.conservewater.utah.go v. Out Jtde duett Memmia Joining, My Spiritual Jewtney, VIRGINA JOHNSON Part 5 As these two young men stood before me at my front door, I was reminded of my earlier encounter with Brenda, the Jehovah Witness lady, more than ten years earlier. In that same spirit of curiosity, I invited them in after they asked if they could give me a message mes-sage that they were delivering deliver-ing in our neighborhood. I noted, as they came in the door that one gave the other a look which I interpreted as surprise and pleasure. Sometime later I thought; "I wonder if they don't get invited in very often." I don't remember too much of what was exchanged at that first meeting, except that they invited me to come visit their church that coming com-ing Sunday held in another Chicago suburb about 15 minutes away. They weren't definite about the time because they were new to the area. I said perhaps I'd come, but wasn't definite about it. They asked if they could come back next week and I said that would be fine. I'm sure they didn't really expect to see me that next Sunday. Well, I decided to go and figure that 10:00 to 10:30 AM would probably be a good time to catch the service. serv-ice. There were a few people in the halls when I arrived, so I made my way to the chapel where the service was already in progress. I didn't see the missionaries so I just walked in and sat down in the back. I was later to learn that there were two congregations congre-gations that met at the same time and they, the missionar- The Orem-Geneva Times 538 South State Street Orem, UT 84058 An edition of The Daily Herald, Pulitzer Newspapers, Inc. Subscriptions & Delivery 375-5103 News & Advertising 225-1 340 Fax 2251341 E-mail oremtimesnetworld.com USPS 411-711. Published Thursdays by Pulitzer Newspapers, Inc., 538 South State Street, Orem, Utah 84058. Periodicals postage paid at Orem, Utah 84059. Postmaster: Send address changes to P.O. Box 65, Orem, UT 84059. Member: Audit Bureau of Circulations NEWSSTAND PRICE $0.50 SUBSCRIPTION RATE 1 year-$36.40 (in county) (Sunday & Thursday plus Holiday deliveries) Holiday deliveries include delivery the week ot Easter, Memorial, Independence, Pioneer, Labor, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. 1 year- $45.40 (out of county) NEWS We welcome news tips. Call 225-1340 to report news tips or if you have a comment or a question. We welcome letters to the editor. All letters must include the author's name (printed AND signed) and a telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, punctuation, taste and length. Letters are welcome on any topic. ies, were attending the other one. I happened to come into the middle of a Testimony meeting. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. People got up and talked about their faith, their beliefs, and how much it all meant to them. I was very impressed and moved. I thought of my dissatisfaction with the level of, or lack of spirituality in my church and how I had prayed about how that might be changed. As I drove home, I remembered remem-bered the exact place I was on Dundee Road in Northbrook, IL. where I said to myself; "I hope they don't have any oddball doctrines because I think I've found the spirit I was looking for but not finding in my church." When the missionaries, Elder Ralphs of Black Foote, ID, and Elder Alvey of Salt lake City, Utah returned the next week, they were quite surprised when I told them I had been to their church and enjoyed the spirit I felt there. In the lesson they gave me that day, they talked about the Prophet Joseph Smith who had restored the gospel as it was preached in the first century church. I was excited about their message. When I thought of prophets, I thought of bearded, old men who lived thousands of years ago and had no relevancy for today. But then I thought; "Why shouldn't God send His messengers to our day. Are we in any less need of guidance and direction as those of old?" A prophet today would make those bearded, old men of yore more real, more relevant, more alive. And in addition, if this Joseph smith preached the message of the first century, perhaps the fervor, the excitement, the faith, the outpouring of the spirit of the first century saints, would be evident also in this restored gospel... The spirit which I felt in the testimony tes-timony meeting was now having added to it, ideas and doctrines. With mind and heart now tentatively engaged, I agreed to meet these young men in church the following Sunday. When I entered the foyer of the church. Elder Ralnhs and Elder Alvey was there to meet me and we found a seat together in a much larger congregation than was presented pre-sented the previous Sunday. They informed me this was Stake Conference and that one of the Apostles would be presiding. I assumed that meant he would be conducting conduct-ing the service. However, I was wrong. He didn't. Someone called a Stake i President introduced those who would lead the prayers, the speakers and the hymns, and finally, introduced the Apostle. It was all quite overwhelming, over-whelming, the terminology; stake, ward, apostle, as well as impressive. They didn't have just one sermon like I was used to by one person, they had several from various vari-ous members, women as well as men. It seemed like the service involved the willingness, willing-ness, even eagerness of many members to share their thoughts and feelings. What a great spirit was present pres-ent in that meeting!! Finally the last speaker, the apostle, was introduced. His name was Harold B. Lee, acting President of the Quorum of the twelve apostles. The missionaries mis-sionaries whispered to me that it was quite possible that he would be the next Prophet, as the person next in line, Joseph Felding Smith, was quite old. After thirty plus years I can't recall what he said to the congregation, but I do remember what he said to me personally after the meeting. The missionaries wanted me to meet him, so they brought me up to the front of the church and introduced intro-duced me as a new investigator. investiga-tor. Elder Lee took my hand as he looked at me and told me the story of when the Apostle Paul recited to King Agrippa about the life, teachings teach-ings and death of the Savior. Afterward King Agrippa said to Paul: "Almost thou persuaded per-suaded me to become a Christian." Elder lee looked at me deeply and said; "Don't be almost persuaded." I've never forgotten that moment, even though at the time I wasn't fully aware of the greatness of this man who was called to be one of the witnesses for Jesus Christ, the job description of an Apostle. The following week the missionaries explained to me how the prophet and the 12 apostles today have the same calling and authority as did those at the time of Jesus When Jesus restored His church again in these latter days, He did so by ordaining Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to the lesser, Aaronic Priesthood, under the hands of John the Baptist. A couple of months later, Joseph and Oliver were ordained to the higher, Melchizedek Priesthood, under the hands of Peter, James and John. With this Authority and in the months following, Joseph Smith called and ordained 12 apostles apos-tles whose job description reads; "A witness for Jesus Christ." Timpanogos Green crfl 1 SURVIVOR Domestic Violence Awareness Month Domestic violence is on the rise in Utah. While the U.S. Justice Department reports that over-all domestic violence against women has plummeted by 41 percent between 1993 and 1999, Utah officials say domestic violence cases in the state are climbing. Nearly 5,000 women and children stayed at Utah shelters last year : a 32 percent increase from the previous year. Since January 2002, there have been 31 deaths linked to domestic violence in Utah I am the sad survivor of abuse. I wish that I could offer some excuse. But when he said, "I love you, my dear friend," He vowed and promised we would have the life I always dreamed. Although he hardly seemed The type that I would marry, in the end, I did agree to be his loving wife. The diamond ring he gave me, fairly gleamed! I said we must be married in the Church, And he agreed, but left me in the lurch. "I had too many drinks, to celebrate," He said. "I'm really sorry I was late!" And, blinded by the brilliance of his ring, I took him back. The honeymoon was sweet. I knew, at last, my dreams had all come true! The children came: a boy, two girls in spring. I felt my life must, surely, be complete, Except for when he took a drink or two. His temper was a most traumatic thing, That, sometimes, left me powerless to sing. How could a loving husband, father, too, Create the cruel comments he would do? "I heard you speaking to that grocery clerk. Will he be stopping by here after work?" "I saw the mailman look at you, today, As if he sought for something you might say!" The seeds of jealousy, once planted deep Within my husband, wakened from their sleep. J Irrational and, clearly, undeserved: The words he spoke of all that he observed. And then, one day, with Lucy on my lap, My husband took an alcoholic nap. A nearby friend arrived and rang the bell To visit me, and ask if I was well. My startled husband rose and threw him out, And hit me, also, with a drunken shout. Police arrived. They took him off to jail. And then, he begged me to put up his bail! It, simply, was the first of many times That I became the victim of his crimes! Our children could not ever understand Why "Daddy Dear" would hit me with his hand. "I am so sorry! Honey, help me, please!" My husband often pled, upon his knees. A dozen times, the Women's Shelter gave To us the peace and safety, we would crave. A dozen times, because of his attack, I told my children, we must not go back. But, girlhood dreams, for some, may turn to dust, When stark reality declares "I must!" Today, thank God, my children and myself Survive upon a very different shelf. I have a part-time job, nearby their school, In this small town, that has a swimming pool. I wonder how I might have lived my life, If I had never been his loving wife. I pray my children, somehow, may be spared The kind of suffering that we have shared. I am a sad survivor of abuse. I wish that I could think of some excuse! 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