2007

Mormon Helping Hands Guidelines for Public Affairs Directors

Table of Contents

Contents

Overview 1 What Is Mormon Helping Hands? 1 Objectives for Mormon Helping Hands 1

Getting Started 2 Step 1: Prepare 2 Step 2: Propose 2 Step 3: Plan 2 Step 4: Implement 3 Step 5: Evaluate and Follow Up 3

How to Identify Opportunities 4 Principles for Project Planning 5 Frequently Asked Questions 6 Appendix A:The Mormon Helping Hands Logo 8 Appendix B: Examples of Successful Mormon Helping Hands Projects 10

Publishedby TheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints SaltLakeCity,Utah 2007byIntellectualReserve,Inc. Unpublishedwork(copiesnotdistributedtothegeneralChurchmembershiportothepublic) Allrightsreserved PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica Englishapproval:10/06

Overview
Overview
What Is Mormon Helping Hands?
TheMormonHelpingHandsdesignationhelps identifytheChurchsroleintheactivity:toprovide servicelaborersandusuallynotgoodsormaterials. Successfulprojectshavebeenconductedthroughout LatinAmerica,Africa,Asia,Europe,thePacific,and theUnitedStates. Coordination,implementation,andevaluationof theseprojectsisusuallydelegatedtolocalpublic a ffairscouncils.

MormonHelpingHandsisapriesthood-directedChurchprogramtoprovidecommunityserviceanddisasterrelieftothoseinneed.TheprogramprovidespriesthoodleaderswithanoptionalserviceopportunityforChurchmembersandhelpsestablishthenameandreputationoftheChurch.Itisaproven meansofhelpingdispelstereotypesoftenheldabouttheChurch,showingthatLatter-daySaintsare Christianswhocontributetothegoodoftheircommunities.

Objectives for Mormon Helping Hands

Help the Needy and Improve Communities ServicetoothersisanimportantcharacteristicofthefollowersofJesusChrist.MormonHelpingHands providesorganizedopportunitiesforChurchmemberstogivetheirtimeandtalentstoblessthosein need.Italsogivesmemberstheopportunitytobeautifycitystreets,parks,schools,andrecreational areasandtoserveinotherways,showingthattheChurchisafriendtothecommunity. Strengthen Church Members ThroughMormonHelpingHands,youthandadultsbecomemoresensitivetothechallengesothersface. AsChurchmembersfollowtheexampleoftheSaviorinreachingoutandhelpingothers,theirtestimoniesarestrengthened.TheseprojectsarealsovaluableopportunitiesforChurchmemberstofellowship less-activefriends. Share the Gospel Indirectly ThroughMormonHelpingHands,Churchmembershaveopportunitiestoportraythefruitsoftheirfaith anddispelunfoundedcriticismandprejudicetowardtheChurch.Whilethisprogramisnottobeused forproselyting,theseactivitiescanhelpcreateconditionsthatarefavorableforgospelconversations andmayonoccasionprovidetheopportunitytoengagemissionariesinteachingthosewhowantto knowmore. Build Relationships with Opinion Leaders ChurchPublicAffairsexiststobuildstrategicrelationshipswithopinionleaderswhoaffectthe r eputationoftheChurchofJesusChrist.Serviceisapowerfultoolforinfluencingthebeliefsandopinionsofprominentindividuals.MormonHelpingHandsisespeciallyeffectiveindevelopingbeneficial relationshipsbetweenChurchleadersandgovernmentofficialsorotheropinionleaders. Enhance the Reputation of the Church MormonHelpingHandshelpsbringtheChurchoutofobscurityandcangreatlyimproveitsreputation. LocalmediainterestintheseprojectshelpsspreadtheknowledgeoftheChurchtomanywhowouldnot otherwisehearofit.

Getting Started

Starting
Publicaffairsdirectors,workingwithlocalpriesthoodleaders,shouldusethefollowingchecklistwhenorganizingalocalMormonHelpingHandseffort.

Step 1: Prepare
OrganizeaMormonHelpingHandsactivitycommittee.Thiscommitteemaybetheexistingpublicaffairs counciloritmayincludeotherparticipants. Thoroughlystudytheinformationinthisbookletand providecopiesforcommitteemembersasappropriate. Asacommittee,andwithlocalpriesthoodobjectives andprioritiesinmind,identifyappropriateservice opportunitiesinthecommunity.Discussthemeritsof eachprojectwithspecialconsiderationfor: q Thepotentialforhelpingothersandimprovingthe community. q Thepotentialforbuildingrelationswithkeyopinion leaders. q ThepotentialforstrengtheningthefaithandconfidenceofChurchmembersandbuildingthetrust andrespectoftheirneighbors. Asappropriateorasneeded,arrangeforthepublicaffairspriesthoodadviserandpublicaffairsdirector tomeetwithcommunityleaderstoidentifyspecificcommunityneeds. Identifythebestdatesforaproject. Considertheneedforpartnerorganizationsandhowsuchorganizationsmightbeutilized.

Step 2: Propose
Writeabriefrecommendationforthebesttwoorthreecandidateprojects.Includewithyourrecommendationadetaileddescriptionofeachpotentialproject,alongwithsuggesteddates,anticipatedchallenges andoutcomes,andbudgetrequirements.Submitthisproposalforpriesthoodreviewandprojectapproval.

Step 3: Plan
Whenpriesthoodleadershavechosenaproject,meet withthecommitteetoplanthedetailsoftheproject. (Itmaybeappropriatetoinvolvepartneringorganizationsinsomeofthisplanning.)Includeinyourplan thefollowing: q Objectives q Dates q Opinionleaderstocontact q Suppliesneeded q Availableresources q Anticipatedbudgetneeds

q Participants(includingpossiblenon-LDSgroups) q Specialistsneeded q Supervisorsorteamcaptains q VestsorT-shirts(distributionandpossibleretrieval) q Permissionsandapprovals q Workerparking q Workercomfort(restrooms,food,water,etc.) q Firstaidandsafety q PrepublicitytoChurchmembers q Publicitytocommunityandmedia q Photography q Workertraining q Two-wayradiosorotherneededcommunication devices Submitplantopriesthoodleadersforfinalapproval.

Step 4: Implement
ProducethevestsorT-shirtsandanyaccompanyinggraphicmaterials,usingguidelinesprovidedon pages8and9.(Thisstepmaytakesometimetocomplete.) Trainalocalpriesthood-approvedspokespersonformediainquiriesabouttheprojectandtheChurch. Carryouttheproject,beingmindfulofcustoms,policies,anddesiresoflocalofficials. Asappropriate,properlydocumenttheprojectthroughvideography,stillphotography,andwritten a ccounts.

Step 5: Evaluate and Follow Up

Holdaposteventevaluationmeeting. Prepareareportofthesuccessoftheprojectforpriesthoodleaders,detailingthenumberofparticipants (membersandfriendsoftheChurch),man-hours,approximatemonetaryvalue,andotherpertinent information.Provideasummaryoftheservicerenderedtotherecipientorganization. Ininternationalareas,considerpublishinganarticleabouttheprojectinthemediasectionoftheChurch Websiteforthatnation. Visitleadersoftherecipientorganizationandreportontheworkperformed. Considerutilizingthevisualandwrittenrecordoftheprojectinmeetingsandothersettingstorecognize participantsandencourageparticipationinfutureMormonHelpingHandsactivities.

Identify

How to Identify Opportunities

OpportunitiesforMormonHelpingHandsprojectscomeinmanyforms.Projectsthataddressarecognized needinthecommunityaregenerallybetterreceivedthanthosethataresimplyconvenientoreasytoaccomplish.Taketimetothinkthroughthepotentialforgood(toothersandtheChurch)beforerecommending projectstopriesthoodleaders.Generally,chooseprojectsthatdothemostgoodforneedyindividualsorfor thecommunity. Organizersoftheseprojectsshouldalwaysconsiderbuildingrelationshipstobeanimportantobjective.Projectscompletedincooperationwithgovernmentandcivicleadersgenerallyproducethebestresultsandbuild thestrongestrelationships.ChurchHumanitarianServicesrepresentativesmaybeagoodsourceforproject ideasandopportunities. Involvementfromthird-partysponsorssuchaslargecorporationsandhumanitarianorganizationscanhelp increasethepotentialforgoodandthevisibilityofaproject.Alsoconsiderthatsomeprojectslendthemselves bettertophotographyandvideotapingthanothers. ExamplesofMormonHelpingHandsprojectsfromaroundtheworldarecontainedinAppendixB:Examples ofSuccessfulMormonHelpingHandsProjects.Otherideasforprojectsarelistedbelow.Pleasenotethatthe Churchsroleinmostcasesistoprovidelaborersonly.Asageneralrule,goodsandmaterialsshouldbesuppliedbytheorganizationbeingassistedorbyprojectsponsors;however,priesthoodleadershavetheoptionof usingChurchresourcesinappropriatecircumstances.

Project Ideas
Clearingbeaches,riverbanks,androadwaysoftrash. Paintingorcleaningschoolsorhospitals. Beautifyingcityparksbypullingweeds,pickingup trash,andplantingnewtreesandshrubs. Gatheringordistributingnutritionalfoodfortheneedy. Deliveringsuppliesandgoodstotheneedy. Removingunsightlyjunkfromneighborhoods. Knittingortyingblanketsanddeliveringthemtothe elderly. Preparingkitsforneedyparentsofnewborninfants. Deliveringtoysandschoolsuppliestoorphanages andplayinggameswithchildren. Repairing,sorting,andcleaningbooksatschoolsandlibraries. Comfortingthephysicallyandmentallyimpairedbyprovidingquiltsorstuffedanimalsandbyspending timereadingorplayinggameswiththem. Providingemergencypreparednesstrainingandmaterialstotheelderlyorhandicapped,orhelpingto sponsoranemergencypreparednessfair.

Principles
Principles for Project Planning
ThefollowingprinciplesshouldguideyourMormonHelpingHandsprojects: Projects Are Implemented under Priesthood Leadership Alloftheseprojectsareorganizedandimplementedunderthedirectionofpriesthoodleaders.Publicaffairscouncilsandotherspecialistsarecalledtoimplementtheprojectplan. Projects Are Not Proselyting Activities TheChurchsreputationforproselytingiswellknown andsometimesdiscouragesothersfromparticipatingin Church-sponsoredactivities.MormonHelpingHands projectsshouldremaintruetothepurposeofproviding Christianserviceandshouldnotbeusedforproselyting.Todootherwisemayviolatethetrustofthosenot ofourfaithandmayhinderfutureopportunitiesfor serviceandrelationshipbuilding.(Gospeldiscussions andansweringquestionsabouttheChurchareappropriatewheninitiatedbythosenotofourfaith.) Choose Appropriate Days for Projects NationalholidaysandpubliccelebrationsaretimeswhenChurchmembersareoftenavailabletoserve. LeadersshouldavoidholdingprojectsonSundaysandonMondayevenings,exceptwhenemergency reliefdictatesotherwise.

Organizers Should Not Commit to Providing Repetitive Services or Financial Resources BecausetheyutilizethevolunteerlaborofChurchmembers,theseprojectsaregenerallyintendedto beone-timeevents.Similarprojectscanbedoneinsubsequentyears,butindividualsandorganizations receivingtheserviceshouldknowbeforetheprojectbeginsthatChurchleaderscannotcommitthetime ofmembersforlong-termservice.Likewise,itisimportanttoremembernottoobligatetheChurchto makefinancialcontributions.Instead,theseprojectsareoftenfundedbyprivatedonors,localbusinesses, governmententities,ortheorganizationbeingassisted.(Forexample,goodswouldbeprovidedbythe organization,andlaborwouldbeprovidedbyChurchmembers.)

Safeguard the Use of Vests or T-Shirts WhenwearingMormonHelpingHandsvestsorT-shirts,individualsrepresentTheChurchofJesusChrist ofLatter-daySaintsandmustbecarefultosafeguardtheChurchsreputation.ThevestorT-shirtmustbe wornonlyduringtheactualproject.Anyotheruseisinappropriateanddiscouraged.Whenthevestor T-shirtbecomespermanentlysoiledorwornout,itshouldbedestroyed. Relationships Established through Projects Need to Be Nurtured beyond the Initial Project Theseprojectshaveproventobeeffectiveinestablishingrelationshipswithcommunityleaders.Public affairsdirectorsseekwaystostrengthentheserelationshipsaftertheprojectisfinished.

FAQ
Question Answer Question Answer Question Answer Question Answer

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Church sponsor the Mormon Helping Hands program? TheprogramgiveslargenumbersofChurchmembersopportunitiestoparticipateinorganized serviceactivitiesthatbenefitothers.Well-organizedprojectsmayalsobuildfriendshipswith government,civic,andothercommunityleaders.Churchmembersbenefitastheyexperiencethe satisfactionofservice. Who should organize these projects? Projectsareapprovedandimplementedunderthedirectionoflocalpriesthoodleaders,although individualsservingonlocalpublicaffairscouncilswillbeassignedtoorganize,supervise,and evaluatetheprojects. What Church units is the Mormon Helping Hands program designed to serve? Churchunitsworldwidecanbenefit.Projectslargeandsmallcanbeundertaken.Largeprojectsare bestsuitedtostakesordistrictsandgroupsofstakes,wheresufficientnumbersofmemberscan contributesignificantlytoacommunityorreliefeffort. Who can participate in these projects? AllChurchmembersandinterestedfriendsof otherfaithsmayparticipate.Familiesareencouragedtoparticipatetogetherwherepossible. Theprogramhasbeenespeciallypopularwith Churchyouthandyoungadultsastheylearn theblessingsofservingothers.Allparticipants shouldberemindedtoupholdChurchstandards. How long should projects last? Projectsshouldnotcommitvolunteersforlong periodsoftime.Withsufficientnumbersof volunteersandadequateplanning,anactivitylastinghalfadayorlesscanaccomplish atremendousamountofgood. What do participants wear? ParticipantsshouldwearyellowvestsorT-shirtsimprintedwiththeMormonHelpingHandslogo wheneverpossible,alongwithclothingthatisappropriatetothetypeofservicebeingrendered. Why use the vests or T-shirts? ThevestorT-shirtisanimportantelementoftheMormonHelpingHandsprogram.Itidentifies theChurchastheorganizationprovidingtheservice,instillsconfidenceinthosebeingserved thattheworkwillbeorganizedandofhighquality,andgivesChurchmembersasenseofsatisfactiontobeidentifiedwithotherLatter-daySaints.Indisasterreliefsituations,theshirtorvest mayalsohelpofficialsquicklyidentifythosetheycancallonforaparticularassignment.

Question Answer

Question Answer Question Answer

Question Answer

Is it more appropriate to use vests or T-shirts? Vestsarethepreferredchoiceinmostcasessincetheyarelesslikelytobemistakenforeveryday clothingandcarriedofforwornforactivitiesnotassociatedwithaMormonHelpingHandsproject.VestsmayalsobelessexpensivethanT-shirtsandcanbewornoverotherclothingincases ofcoolorinclementweather.Insituationswherealoose-fittingvestmightprovehazardous(for example,usingchainsawsandotherpowerequipment),aT-shirtisgenerallythebetterchoice. What guidelines should govern the use of the Mormon Helping Hands vest or T-shirt? ChurchmemberswhoweartheT-shirtorvestrepresenttheChurchastheyserveandshouldbe awarethattheirconductreflectsontheChurchasawhole.Vestsorshirtsshouldonlybeusedfor MormonHelpingHandsprojects. Who pays for Mormon Helping Hands T-shirts and vests? LocalunitbudgetsorlocalmembersshouldpayforvestsandT-shirtsfornondisasterrelief p rojects.WhentheChurchsHumanitarianEmergencyResponseparticipatesindisasterrelief efforts,asupplyofvestsandT-shirtsisoftenincludedaspartofthereliefshipment. Is more information available on how to produce the T-shirts and vests? Instructions,colorspecifications,andelectroniclogoartforlocalT-shirtsorvestsareavailablein thispublicationandfromChurchPublicAffairsofficesworldwide.

Question Answer

Question Answer

Question Answer

Appendix A:

The Mormon Helping Hands Logo

ThelogopicturedonthispagehasbeenapprovedbytheFirstPresidencyandshouldsupersedeallprevious logos.*Whenusedproperlyandconsistently,itwillbecomearecognizedsymboloftheChurchsgoodworks.

Logo
Proper Logo Usage

ThelogorepresentstheChurchanditsmembers,and everyprecautionmustbetakentoensureitsintegrity. Eachuseofthelogoshouldstrictlycomplywiththe followingguidelines: UseonlytheofficiallogoobtainedfromChurchPublicAffairsoffices.Donottrytore-createit. PrintthelogoonaplainyellowvestorT-shirtthat matchesascloselyaspossibletheyellow-colored fieldbehindthehandsonthelogo.Whereyellow shirtsandvestsarenotavailable,awhiteshirtorvest maybesubstituted. Onthebackoftheshirt,usetheprovidedlogoat 100%oforiginalsizetofitcomfortablyonanadult vestorT-shirt.ThewordsMormonHelpingHands andtheofficialChurchlogoshouldbeeasilyvisible fromseveralfeetaway.Onthefrontoftheshirt,the logomaybeusedatfullsizeorreducedtoapproximately40%oforiginalsizetofitinthespacewhere apocketwouldnormallybefound(seeexamples below).Forchildrenssizes,reducethelogoasappropriate. Donotmixthelogowithanyotherpatterns,symbols,logos,orothercompetingelements,includingthe logosormarksofpartneringorganizations(ifany). Thelogomaybeusedforotheritems,includingpostersorflyers,orinpresentationstopromotethe serviceprojectorrecruitvolunteers.
MORMON HELPING HANDS

T-Shirt (front) Logoisabout4.25wide

(40%oforiginalsize)
*

T-Shirt (back)
Logoisabout10.5wide (100%oforiginalsize)
MORMON HELPING HANDS

Vest (front)
Logoisabout4.25wide (40%oforiginalsize)

Vest (back)
Logoisabout10.5wide (100%oforiginalsize)

Certain exceptions may apply in areas where the logo has been determined to be inappropriate or offensive to local cultures.

Technical Specifications
ThecolorschemeshownisapprovedforuseonyellowvestsorT-shirtsanddoesnotrequireaprinted colorbehindthehands.WhenprintingonyellowT-shirtsorvests,instructtheprinternottoprintany colorintheboxesbehindthehands,allowingtheT-shirtcolortoserveasthebackgroundtothehands. WhenwhitevestsorT-shirtsareused,printthebackgroundboxessurroundingthehandsinyellow,as shownbelow.

T-Shirt (front) Logoisabout4.25wide

(40%oforiginalsize)

T-Shirt (back)
Logoisabout10.5wide (100%oforiginalsize)

Vest (front)
Logoisabout4.25wide (40%oforiginalsize)

Vest (back)
Logoisabout10.5wide (100%oforiginalsize)

Color-separatedimagesforprintingareavailablefromChurchPublicAffairsoffices.Colordesignations areasfollows: Blue: Pantone 301 Yellow: Pantone 123 Green: Pantone 341

Unacceptable Uses of the Mormon Helping Hands Logo

Thelogoisorwillbeprotectedbylocaltrademarklawsineverycountrywhereitisused.Churchmembersshouldsafeguardthistrademarkbyusingthelogoonlyinthewaysspecifiedaboveandbyreporting topriesthoodleadersanyblatantmisusesofit. Examplesofmisusesincludeanyusethatispersonal,commercial,orpromotionalinnature.Suchusesof thelogomaymisrepresenttheChurchandcouldjeopardizetheChurchsownershipofthistrademark.

Languages
ThelogoisavailableinmanylanguagesfromChurchPublicAffairsoffices.

Appendix B:

Examples
So Paulo, Brazil

10

Examples of Successful Mormon Helping Hands Projects

ThefollowingexamplesillustratehowMormonHelpingHandsprojectsofalltypescanblesslivesandhelp establishtheChurch:

Some50,000ChurchmembersandtheirfriendspitchedinApril21onBrazilsnationalholidaytoimprovetheconditionsof200schoolsacrossthecountry,whichareattendedby350,000students. HandsHelpingtoImprovePublicSchoolsistheChurchsfifthannualnationalschoolsproject,aneffortthatgrowsmoreappreciatedeachyear. TheprojectwasdevelopedthroughapartnershipbetweentheChurch,governmenteducationofficials, schooldirectors,parent-teacherassociations,alumni,mediaanddonationsfromprivatebusinesses. Volunteerswearingthenow-familiarHelpingHandsvestshandledthousandsofgallonsofpaint,brushes, whitewash,concreteandmetal.Theyimprovedclassrooms,replacedsinksanddoors,paintedwallsand windows,andweededgardens,alongwithmakingminorimprovementstothewaterandelectricalsystemsoftheschools. TheentireprojectservedtostrengthenthepublicimageoftheChurchinBrazil.Thisyear,the17multistakepublicaffairscouncilsworkedwiththepublic,themediaandthecommunitytocommemorate the175thanniversaryoftheChurchandthe200thanniversaryofthebirthoftheProphetJosephSmith (50,000inProjecttoRefurbishSchools,ChurchNews,May14,2005,14).

Setbal, Portugal
Ontheircountrysnationalholiday,ChurchmembersinPortugalorganizedHelpingHands,acountrywideserviceprojectinprincipalcitiesandontheislandsofMadeiraandtheAzores. DuringPortugalDayonJune10,1,300volunteerscleanedparks,streetsandplazas.InSetbal,they reconstructedthreepicnicareasofacitypark,whichmanypeoplehadstoppedfrequentingbecauseofits condition. ObservingtheprojectinSetbal,anearbyresidentprovidedcementtofinishthechanges.Heemphasized thathisexampleshouldbefollowedbyothers,especiallythosewhowouldusethepark. Alargenumberofchildren,alongwiththeirparents,participatedintheactivitywhichhighlightstheimportanceofcommunityactionstocreatestrongbondsoffriendship(HelpingHandsBegins,Church News,Aug.7,2004,15).

Brisbane, Australia
HundredsofsistersfromaroundtheAustralianstateofQueenslandspentmanyweekscrocheting,shopping,collectingandpackagingaspartoftheirHelpingHandsprojectthatplayedaprominentroleinthe recent2005AnnualWomensConferenceheldhereinSeptember. EachwardandbranchinthestatewasaskedtocompletethreeprojectsintimefortheconferencemakinglaprugsforAustraliannursinghomes,andmaternityandschoolkitsfortheneedyintheneighboring nationofPapuaNewGuinea. EachChurchunitwasaskedtocontributeenoughsquarestomakeup25laprugs,eachofwhichismade upof36knittedorcrochetedsquares.The804completedlaprugsweredonatedtotheNursingHome AssociationonthedayoftheconferenceandhavesincebeendistributedtonursinghomesandindividualsthroughoutAustralia(HelpingHandsinQueensland,ChurchNews,Nov.5,2005,15).

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Mobile, Alabama, USA

TheMobileRegisterprintedastorySept.23detailingtheChurchscontributionoffoodforhurricane evacueesintheDaphneCivicCenter.Whenmembersheardthecenterneededfood,localleadersmade anofficialrequestthroughheadquartersandfoodwassentfromtheTucker,Ga.,bishopsstorehouse. WhenIsawtheformthattheirrepresentativepulledoutandstartedcheckingoff,Icouldntbelievethe amountoffoodtheyoffered,BillMeese,avolunteersupervisoratthecenter,toldtheRegister.Casesof cannedvegetables,fruits,stews,freshproduce,freshmeatsyounameit,theyhaveit.Andtheyoffered asmuchasweneeded. AvolunteerpastorquotedinthearticlecalledtheLatter-daySaintdonationananswertoprayer. TheChurchof[Jesus]ChristofLatter-daySaints,headquarteredinSaltLakeCity,Utah,hasflooded theGulfCoastwithvolunteerswearingwhiteMormonHelpingHandsT-shirts,thearticleconcluded. NicknamedtheStorminMormonstheyhavebeenassistingcommunitieswiththeclean-upeffortsince thestormhit(HelpingHandsReachOuttoVictims,ChurchNews,Oct.1,2005,10).

Toyooka, Japan
Oneofanunusuallyhighnumberoftyphoons24tohitJapanthisyear,Tokagefloodedthebranchs meetinghouseandthehomesof32members,aswellasmissionariesquarters,accordingtoBranchPresidentYoshihiroFurutani.Somemembersandmissionariesmovedtoemergencyshelters. Twodayslater,fourcarloadsofChurchvolunteersfromtheOsaka-Kobeareatraveledfourhoursover flooded,damagedandnearlyimpassableroadstoreachToyooka.Theyhelpedincontactingallmembers ofthebranchtoconfirmtheirsafety,lendingwhateverassistancewasneededbymembers,theirfriends andneighbors. OnSunday,thebranchheldsacramentmeetingonthesecondflooroftheflood-damagedmeetinghouse. PresidentFurutanisaid,Truly,ourbodiesweretiredandworn,butthroughthatone-hour,irregularmeeting,eachmemberreceivedspiritualnourishment.Attendancewasupdramaticallyandhascontinuedto climbsince. Toexpeditetheirabilitytohelp,ChurchvolunteersworeHelpingHandsvests.TheHelpingHands logo,registeredbytheChurchinJapan,isonthefrontofthevestwiththenameoftheChurchonthe back(JapaneseTyphoonVictimsBenefitfromHelpingHands,ChurchNews,Nov.13,2004,4).

Bristol, England
OnSeptember23,2006,550membersfromtheBristolEnglandStakeworkedthroughoutthedaytransformingacommunityparkfarm.Thisfarmhasstruggledoverthelastfewyears,havingtosellitscows togainsufficientfundstofeedtheotheranimals. Onehundredpriesthoodholdersarrivedat8:00a.m.tostartworkonawheelchairaccesspath.At10:00 a.m.another300startedpainting,digging,andcleaningthefarm.Atthenearbystakecenter,another150 membersmadeeducationaltoys,birdboxes,andfeedersfortheresourcebarn. Attheendofthedaythemayorandhiswifearrivedandwereshownaroundbythestakepresident.The mayorsaid,Iamdeeplyimpressedandcannotbelievehowmuchhasbeenaccomplishedinoneday.Its likeamake-overprogramonTV.Thefarmmanageradded,Itisamiraclethatsomuchhasbeendone, andtherewasnotaswearwordused,anangryvoiceheard,soorganizedandsuchhappypeople. Bytheendoftheday,2,600hoursofservicehadbeenprovidedbymembersofthestake.

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Dongmuang, Thailand
CommunicationAuthorityofThailand(CAT)holdsaNationalChildrensDayeveryyear,andDongmuangBranchgainedpermissiontohaveanactivityboothaspartoftheCATevent.CATprovideda tentforthebranchactivityandallowedSYS(missionarysinginggroup)sometimetodoaperformance onstage.ThepurposeoftheactivitywastosharetheloveofGodwiththepeopleofThailand,specifically thechildren. Afterthedaysactivity,amemberofCATstaffsaidthattheChurchboothwasthemostpopularboothat theevent.Therewereover3,000peoplewhocametothebooththroughouttheday,andmanystayedfor theSYSperformancelaterintheevening. Over30branchmembersandmissionaries,wearingMormonHelpingHandsvests,helpedwiththisevent. AdditionalmembersstayedlateatCATtosetupanddecoratetheboothandtotieballoonsculptures.Not onlywerethemembersgivingserviceinthispreparation,buttheywerealsolearninganewskill. BranchPresidentPrasongfeltthemembersgrewclosertothecommunityastheyservedthem.The activityhelpedpeoplehaveabetterunderstandingoftheChurch.Atthesametime,itgavemembersan opportunitytostrengthentheirtestimoniesastheyservedtheThaipublic.