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Show Members in Georgia Welcome the BY DONALD CONKEY - 1 WJ Public Communications Coordinator Atlanta Reg'on TUCKER, GA. They came to mv and hear the Lord's Prophet. They came from all parts of Georgia from the north, south, east and west. The temperature was out of character lor the sunny South, but the spirit was characteristically warm as more than 3,500 members came to Tucker, Ga. on Jan. 9 to hear President Spencer W. Kimball speak. Local members had about two weeks to prepare for the Friday evening address. President Kimball and his second counselor, President Marion G. Romney, had previously planned with Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Council of the Twelve, and Elder Joseph Anderson, an Assistant to the Twelve, to meet with local priesthood leaders in a solemn assembly on Saturday, Jan. 10. A regional outh dance had already been scheduled for the Tucker Georgia Stake center on Friday evening with one of the areas most popular bands. When President Kimball agreed to speak at a special meeting, the dance was cancelled. Plans were then begun to prepare for one of the most exciting experiences for Church members in the state. Pres. James Taylor of the Macon Stake, said more than inoo members came from the middle Georgia area to Tucker, a community near Atlanta. "I have never seen such activity and anticipation of anything ever before in this stake, Pres. Taylor Georgia said. Tommy Dutton, an investigator who had ah eddy planned to be baptized on Jan. 10, attended the Friday evening The prophet spoke what I meeting. wanted to hear, he said. A1 Beard, a convert of one year from Virginia, said it was the greatest event he'd ever seen. young lady from Perry, Ga. was in on a stretcher and laid in the aisle so she could look up at President Kimball as he addressed a few remarks to her. The eyes of Leola Blain, a blind woman, filled with tears as President Kimball paused by her chair and shook her hand. Wesley Anderson, a member from the Griffin Branch, said, I think President Kimball is the best man in the whole world hes Gods A brought man. I love him very much. Brother Anderson joined the Church at age 75. A Mia Maid, Carrie Pierce, was exuberant after shaking President Kimballs hand. Her step sister, Linda, had met President Kimball last summer in Tennessee and Atlanta Mormon Bicentennial Choir sings hymn. "cried all the way home, Carrie said. Her own experience wasnt much different. Mrs. Billy Speed, religion editor ol the Atlanta Journal, said, I lelt like he really meant it when he said he loves you. Hes Lke a grandfather who really cares for his family. President Kimball, in his address, referred to President Romney as an example for the young people to follow. President Romney talks to the Loid and you should learn that thats the way to pray talk to the Lord like President Romney does. President Kimball also stressed the importance of family members communicating with each other. He urged the parents to bring their families together for lanuly home evening each week. Don't let a Monday night pass. Give your family parental guidance Teach them all the things you want them to have teach by the spirit," he said. "Teach them the truth. Provisions were made for the over-ilocrowd in the Sandy Springs Georgia Stake Center about 15 miles away Pres. Kimball Reveres S. Utah Pioneers' Faith, Courage BY JIM ROBINSON Deseret News Correspondent PAROWAN, UTAH The struggles, faith and courage of early Mormon pioneers were presented here Jan. 13 as President Spencer W. Kimball helped commemorate the 125th anniversary of Parowan' s founding. This is the first visit of a prophet to this community since a visit once made said Parowan by Brigham Young, Mayor Kendall 0. Gurr. This is a great honor for our community. Parowan is considered a mother community" for many towns and cities of southern Utah, eastern Nevada and northern Arizona It was the first permanent settlement in Utah south of Provo. Beginning his activities at the elementary school in Parowan, President Kimball joined in a hag memuuj there with the children of all grades. Cub Scouts posted the colors and the children sang a series of patriotic songs. without at the general community meeting in Parowan High School, President Kimball spoke of colonizing pioneers in general and those who settled the Parowan area specifically. The love of God anl the brotherhood of men was written into their very lives, he said, quoting Luella Adams Dalton, a Parowan author and former Utah Mother of the Year. He said, With a strong faith, as firm as the hills which they were going to subdue and conquer, they went forth w ith a new brand of courage undaunted This was a new brand of fortitude. "With a hard, cold area to conquer, with no government subsidies nor church subsidies, with limited shelter and food of their own production, they went forth, the great of the greats. i iit"t pieuooia knew that the mira dc of colonization could not happen What a lesson could be taught to man today, to walk in humility and work together and labor with hands and minds! the prophet told the nearly 2,000 persons gathered in the high Then, hard work and cooperation. President Kimball pointed out. school. It took people of many talents to colonize the Mormon settlements, he pointed out. The gospel touched the lives of people with those many talents. It pven touched the lives of singers to sing beautifully." Pioneers enroute to Parowan were urged to make many miles each day, but they were urged to make clean miles, cooperative miles, said President Kimball. He said, These intrepid men and w'omen, young at heart and young in body, they had real faith. There was no such word in their vocabulary as fail. They knew the hills were rugged and the lower lands were dry; they knew the canyons were rough. They knew the land was dry and rough and it would take courageous men w ith hard njuscles to build roads up in the canyons to clear the brush land, to survey the land, to dig canals, to fence the land. "They knew that these miracles Continued on page 4 WEEK ENDING JANUARY 17, 1976 CHURCH 3 |