"A Night to Remember"

Dear Children and Friends,

Thursday night, May 29, 2010, Dad and I (plus Christy, Jacob, Megan, Cougar, Mike and his Jacob) experienced an incredible evening of historian David McCullough (John Adams, 1776, Truman, etc. author), Mormon Tab Choir, Elder Eyring (in rare, personal and humorous form) at "A Celebration of Family History" concert sponsored by the Church at the Conference Center (part of the National Genealogical Society Convention). All were moving and outstanding. David McCullough ad libbed for 55 minutes (Matt, you would have been in heaven) and when the choir sang "Amazing Grace" accompanied by Scottish bagpipers (same musician was in one of the videos stressing importance of leaving a legacy for your children), a wave came over the entire audience (Holy Ghost). All immediately stood and gave a rousing standing ovation. What a thrill!! I feel so honored to have attended and to be in a 'right place at the right time' to have received these tickets.

Then, last night at our Saturday evening session of Stake Conference, we had a most unusual theme. The two hours was focused on the importance of 'social networking' with our children/grandchildren to 'stay connected' with them (you know how I hate texting and Facebooking as I feel it is a waste of time) primarily through the avenue of the internet and specifically "Mormom Messages." President Sohm began by sharing highlights of personal 'requirements' for youth 100 years ago (like keep a beehive, kill 25 flies a day, etc) to the 1960's like 'not dance too closely, etc. to today concerning the ills of pornography, sexual promiscuity, etc. Then, he gave personal examples of how difficult it is to have a meaningful monthly FHE's because he and his wife have 10 grandchildren under 7, and it's always chaotic with children crying, wanting to sing "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" which causes even more chaos. We've all been there and know what what he speaks of! Anyway, since being employed in the audiovisual department and having the rare privilege of sitting in meetings with the Managing Director and the Brethren and taking minutes of their many discussions of MM's, I have had the special opportunity to observe (and feel by the Spirit) the singular mandate and power of these Mormon Messages to reach hearts and homes around the world (member and non-member as the Church has a You Tube Channel they are broadcast on as well as now a Twitter channel). The Mormon Messages are produced about every 2 weeks (as well as Mormon Messages for Youth) and Elder Scott, Elder Bednar, Bishp McMullin and Elders Grow, Christensen and Sybrowsky (of the 70's) give specific comments for improvements before publishing them on YouTube and lds.org. (Trista, Garin Granata is over Mormon Messages for Youth--did you know that?). Anyway, I recommend that each of you use these as a vital and important tool. By the way, coming shortly, on lds.org, there will be a button affixed to each mormon message that will be 'downloadable' to use segments of it in your personal videos you wish to make, use for lessons, etc. (some will never be available because of intellectual property issues).

This Work is rolling forth as never before and the audiovisual department of the Church is playing a HUGE part of it!! I'm humbled and blessed to be there to be a first-hand witness that the Lord is in control and His Work will never fail although there will be a few bumps in the road.

God bless you all. Love, Mom