Williamsport PA Stake Public Affairs

Williamsport Stake adults and youth (ages 14-18) have been asked to fill volunteer positions at the Philadelphia Temple open house on 8/10, 8/13, 8/17, 8/18, and 9/5 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Since it is the later shift, there is time for you to tour the Temple before your volunteer shift begins.

For those looking to reserve FREE open house tickets - you can do so tomorrow, here are the details!

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple Open House
Wednesday, August 10, 2016 - Friday, September 9, 2016
1739 Vine St
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Reservations will be available beginning Monday, May 23, 2016

The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, September 18, 2016.

Click here to reserve tickets: http://www.mormontemples.org/eng/temple/philadelphia-pennsylvania

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple Mormon Temple:Philadelphia Pennsylvania

On May 21st, in celebration of Armed Forces Day and to honor all Servicemen, Servicewomen, and their families in our community, the Berwick Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting a blood drive and would like to invite you to become a blood donor. Your one donation will support three lives in our community. Please feel free to share this event!

For your convenience, appointments can be scheduled:
1. Go to www.geisingerbloodcenter.org
2. Click under New Donors to make an appointment
3. Select the church's blood drive on May 21st
4. Choose your appointment time between 10am and 4pm

Wondering if you're eligible to donate blood?
http://www.geisingerbloodcenter.org/donate-blood/eligibility

Want to know how to prepare for this Saturday?
http://www.geisingerbloodcenter.org/donate-blood/donor-preparation

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
7368 School House Road, Berwick, PA
10am to 4pm Saturday, May 21st
In partnership with Geisinger Blood Center

The inscription stone for the temple went up on Thursday!

Preparations are moving quickly and we are only about 5 months out now. Dates for the temple events are as follows:

- Public open house: Monday, August 1 - Saturday, September 3
- Cultural celebration: Saturday, September 17
- Dedication: 3 sessions on Sunday, September 18 (9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m.)

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.
-D&C 88:119

Philadelphia Mormon Temple Reaches Significant Construction Milestone The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints placed an angel Moroni statue atop the highest spire of its temple in downtown Philadelphia on December 30, 2015.

The First Presidency expresses love, support for the French people.

French Flags Flown on Church buildings around Temple Square We have directed that flags on Temple Square be flown at half staff, and that the French Flag be flown here as an expression of our love and support for them.

The First Presidency has sent out a letter clarifying the Church handbook changes.

First Presidency Clarifies Church Handbook Changes The First Presidency & Quorum of the 12 Apostles provides the following guidance in applying provisions on same-gender marriage recently added to Handbook 1

Regarding the Church handbook changes, Elder Christofferson provides some context.

Elder Christofferson: Context on Handbook Changes Affecting Same-Sex Marriages In a video interview, Elder D. Todd Christofferson reaffirmed the Church’s position on marriage and outlined handbook changes in Church policy affecting same-sex couples and their children.

Join us.
http://bit.ly/1Keqh13

In anticipation of General Conference this coming weekend, check out this article in the Deseret News regarding the major events that have occurred in the Church during the last 6 months since the previous General Conference.

There is a lot that has happened. And even for those who have been following closely, you are likely to discover a few things of which you weren't aware.

From April to October: The past 6 months in the LDS Church It's been an eventful six months for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Interested in Genealogy? Did you know that as a member of the church you can have free access to Ancestry.com, Find My Past, My Heritage and American Ancestors?

Follow the link to learn more and set up your free accounts today:
https://familysearch.org/partneraccess?et_cid=50194751&et_rid=780161265&linkid=https%3a%2f%2ffamilysearch.org%2fpartneraccess&cid=em-pa-3644

Partner Access – FamilySearch Family history is more than a hobby, it’s an activity that blesses both the living and the dead. Connecting generations with the blessings of the temple serves ancestors, safeguards individuals, and strengthens families.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/president-nelson-dedicates-priesthood-restoration-site?cid=HP_SA_9-19-2015_dCHD_fPTH_xLIDyL2-1_

VIDEO: President Nelson Dedicates Priesthood Restoration Site President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicates the Priesthood Restoration Site in Oakland Township, Pennsylvania.

Interested in the Priesthood Restoration site that was just dedicated this weekend? It's in a beautiful location and is an easy day trip from our Stake area. Here's is a link to help you plan your visit:

https://history.lds.org/subsection/priesthood-restoration-site?lang=eng

U.S. Members Getting Online Option for Paying Tithes and Donations - Church News and Events Members can still pay tithing the traditional way, but the Church's new Online Donations website provides another way for members in the United States to make their contributions to the Church.

For those who are not aware, this recent article from the August 2015 Ensign about teaching gospel standards in the home was written by Jocelyn Christensen of the Lewisburg Ward.

Sister Christensen was also featured in an article in the August 2014 Ensign (http://bit.ly/1zRg3B5), has written for the Friend (http://bit.ly/1ER9Ufi), and contributes regularly to 'Weekly Thoughts and Tips' on the Church's website, a resource for teaching children (http://bit.ly/1L5vJbS).

Thanks to Sister Christensen for her insightful contributions!

Teaching Gospel Standards: One Family’s Experience - Ensign August 2015 - ensign When our oldest child started school, we struggled to figure out how to prepare him for the inappropriate language he might hear from other children. In the end, we came up with this guideline: “If you hear someone using a word that you have never heard Mom or Dad use at home, then ask us what it me…

In a world full of darkness, it is important to remember the light.

What is light? Elder David A. Bednar discusses how we receive and perceive light from God in Patterns of Light part 1 - The Light of Christ.

Watch now @ https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-01-010-patterns-of-light-the-light-of-christ?category=mormon-messages-2012&lang=eng&cid=HP_TU_7-28-2015_dPTH_fMLIB_xLIDyL1-B_

This Sunday! A special meeting with two visiting General Authorities of the Seventy, for all Williamsport Stake Young Single Adults age 18-30.

Williamsport Stake YSA Activity this Saturday! Please share with YSAs in your ward or branch.

Wondering if you're eligible to donate blood?
http://www.geisingerbloodcenter.org/donate-blood/eligibility

Want to know how to prepare for this Saturday?
http://www.geisingerbloodcenter.org/donate-blood/donor-preparation

On May 16th, in celebration of Armed Forces Day and to honor all Servicemen, Servicewomen, and their families in our community, the Berwick Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting a blood drive and would like to invite you to become a blood donor. Your one donation will support 3 lives in our community.

For your convenience, you can schedule an appointment ahead of time:
1. Go to www.geisingerbloodcenter.org
2. Under New Donors click Make an Appointment
3. Select the church's blood drive on May 16th
4. Choose your appointment time between 10am and 4pm

Please share!

Congratulations to President and Sister Hoffman's two oldest daughters, Emily and Anna, who recently opened their mission calls, the video of which was featured on the Deseret News website today.

Twin sisters open LDS mission calls in emotional YouTube video Twin sisters Anna and Emily Hoffman, daughters of Mike and CaMarie Hoffman, recently learned where they will be serving their missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Spread the word:
https://www.facebook.com/events/293607780819143/

Spread the word:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1485401495007356/

The Mormons next door: A local look at a worldwide church - SunGazette.com | News, Sports, Jobs, Com

President Hoffman recently wrote an article about the Church and its members which was sent out to many local newspapers. It has been published in multiple papers and here is a link to one of them.

sungazette.com My name is Michael Hoffman.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/new-round-of-cleanup-projects-scheduled-by-mormon-helping-hand

This is an update into the Mormon Helping Hands relief efforts taking place in multiple areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. It has photos showing the devastation in these areas and the types of aid being provided by our members and missionaries.

Our stake will be contributing to relief efforts in the Caldwell, NJ area which is mentioned in the article. Our first trip out there will be on Wednesday, November 14th.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/new-round-of-cleanup-projects-scheduled-by-mormon-helping-hands

mormonnewsroom.org

Newsroom - Mormon Helping Hands Cleanup After Sandy

Here's an article about the Mormon Helping Hands cleanup efforts in those areas hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. It's great to see this work being done and that we will have a chance to take part in these efforts in the coming weeks.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-helping-hands-clean-up-after-sandy

mormonnewsroom.org Members and missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will provide assistance this weekend to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Local Church leaders are planning significant disaster relief efforts, organized on both a local and regional level in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ne...